Dear Colleagues,
Michigan State University’s mission has always been to advance knowledge and transform lives, for the people of Michigan and beyond. One of the most significant ways we can accomplish that mission is by preparing the next generation of health professionals, advancing groundbreaking research, and improving health outcomes in every community we touch.
Following a four-month listening and learning tour in June 2024, I announced a thorough assessment of the university’s health science strategy. To guide this effort, I named a Health Sciences Council with cross-campus representation to conduct the review. I had heard from many people during my early months that the existing structure and model was not working well, and the timing seemed right to better understand the challenges and to identify opportunities for potentially starting down a new path.
What followed was a seven-month process that led to our Health Sciences Council identifying some bold options in a Health Sciences Council final report for MSU’s health sciences strategy, that might position us as a national model for transforming medical education and address complex health challenges through research and clinical services using a one team model.
In February 2025, I announced my vision for One Team, One Health at Michigan State. Among the council’s numerous strategic options for our reimagined health sciences, I became particularly interested in partnering with our health sciences community to explore the following:
Then, in April 2025 I announced a new One Health Council along with four cross-disciplinary task forces to help lead us in exploring these potential bold options. These groups have met weekly since May 2025 and a few weeks ago the co-chairs Dean Kim Dodd and Senior Vice President Norm Hubbard provided an update on their progress.
The work continues to be grounded in our mission. Even as I write this update, the task forces and committees continue to meet, collect feedback and brainstorm ideas. The responses I’ve received over the last several months from many internal and external stakeholders confirms that Michigan State is uniquely positioned to lead and shape the future of health sciences. I’m confident that together we can meet the considerable challenges of rising to that potential, finding more ways to better serve our communities, attract top talent, increase research competitiveness, and expand our global reach.
I realize that some of the scope of these initiatives seem daunting. As I’ve said many times throughout this process, we need bold ideas to drive us forward. This is our opportunity to lean into what only we—at MSU—can achieve. We are uniquely positioned to shape the future of health, not only through our health sciences colleges but also through the strength of agriculture, natural science, engineering, social science, education, veterinary medicine, and the arts. This breadth of expertise, combined with our statewide partnerships, gives us capabilities few institutions can match.
The proposed new colleges could expand our scale and give us a stronger voice in the competitive health landscape. A larger, more visible health presence can help us secure stronger partnerships, which in turn create more opportunities for our students—allowing us to grow existing programs, launch new ones, and better serve the needs of Michigan.
We know the health landscape is evolving rapidly. By bringing MSU’s health programs together in a more unified way, we will be better poised to respond to changing workforce demands, emerging health challenges, and uncertain times. Taken together, these efforts have the potential to deepen our impact across Michigan while also extending MSU’s reach globally.
We also recognize that this discussion is happening during a time when our campus community is facing financial challenges, leadership transitions and difficult decisions. This is why we are committed to an open, transparent, and collaborative process. I recognize that uncertainty can add to the stress, which is why I want to reassure you that no immediate changes are being made to your roles, student programs, or accreditation standards while this process continues. We are very much still engaged in brainstorming and seeking feedback throughout the fall semester.
The One Health Council is just beginning their next phase of engagement. Thanks to your feedback and ideas, the council has requested that we extend the original timeline to later this fall, to give them time to further explore the additional possibilities and opportunities presented.
In the coming weeks, the council will host listening sessions and continue gathering feedback through the "Share Your Voice" survey. Each college and unit has been—or will soon be—contacted to develop an engagement plan tailored to their unique needs.
As we move through this process, I encourage you to approach it with a “solutions-oriented” and “imagine if” mindset. Imagine if MSU could harness the full power of our university—linking health, environment, food, and policy—to reimagine how we prevent disease, safeguard communities, and create healthier futures for people, animals, and the planet.
We are committed to improving both the systems of the past while considering the proposals and perhaps dreams for our future—but we cannot do this alone. Your continued feedback and your vision for the future of health sciences at MSU are essential for meaningful progress.
This is a time for shared leadership. Your expertise, insights, and experiences are critical to shaping a future that respects the unique legacies of both medical colleges while positioning MSU to expand its impact on health care in Michigan and around the world.
Thank you for your dedication to your students, your patients, your research, and to Michigan State University. Together, we can ensure this process is thoughtful, inclusive, and focused on building the strongest possible future for MSU’s medical education enterprise.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
President
Professor, Department of Kinesiology