Email sent to MSU deans, directors and chairs
Dear colleagues,
Following a diligent national search guided by a committee of campus leaders I appointed last fall, it is my pleasure to announce the selection of Dr. James Hintz as Michigan State University’s vice president for Student Affairs.
Dr. Hintz is a proven leader, currently serving as acting associate vice chancellor for Auxiliary, Health & Wellbeing at the University of Illinois. He will play a key leadership role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive and supportive campus environment that advances MSU’s goals around student well-being, success and engagement.
The search for the VPSA began last December in consultation with our Academic Governance Steering Committee, which includes student leaders. It followed our realignment of the Student Life and Engagement office into two offices to provide more efficient management and oversight of the unique and often different skill sets required to successfully lead these operations.
One of those offices is Residential and Hospitality Services, led by an associate vice president who reports to Executive Vice President for Administration Vennie Gore. EVP Gore just last week announced the selection of Patricia A.R. Martinez to lead RHS, and we look forward to welcoming her to MSU in August.
The other new office resulting from the realignment is the Division of Student Affairs, which will be headed by Dr. Hintz, reporting directly to me. Michigan State’s VPSA is charged with redefining how student affairs can holistically support students by prioritizing a sense of belonging while connecting their cocurricular activities with their scholarship and career goals.
Dr. Hintz will forge a new division that leads student engagement and campus life activities in close alignment with our student success initiatives. In addition, he will oversee key facilities that support student activities and programming, including the MSU Union, Multicultural Center and Student Recreation and Wellness Center. We sought a leader with a track record of building vibrant teams and modeling a solutions-focused approach to navigating change. We wanted a strong advocate for student engagement and well-being who can offer targeted programming to support the entire student body, and I’m confident Dr. Hintz has the experience to help MSU meet the challenges and opportunities in front of us.
I’m grateful to the search committee for helping bring such an excellent leader to Michigan State. He will be joining us on Aug. 4, and I’m excited to welcome him to our university community.
I also want to thank Genyne Royal and Allyn Shaw for their dedicated service as co-leaders of Student Affairs since December 2024. Their dedication to our students and overall campus success has had a positive impact in advancing our mission these past several months and they continue to be valued members of the MSU leadership team.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
President
Professor, Department of Kinesiology