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May 28, 2026 ~ Former Michigan Governor John Engler reacts to MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz leaving for Clemson and what the leadership change means for the university and Michigan higher education.
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State University continues to see turnover in its leadership, with Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz leaving the school for another university.
Clemson University selected Guskiewicz as its next president in a board of trustees meeting. His departure comes just over a week after the MSU Board of Trustees recommended extending his contract until 2031, which would nearly double his salary to $2 million. His tenure began only back in March of 2024.
“While I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished these past two-plus years, I have always said that your health, family, and faith must come first above all else,” Guskiewicz said in a written statement. “The ongoing and continuous nature of the aforementioned actions has created an unsustainable situation. So after thoughtful reflection, I have made the difficult decision to leave Michigan State University and accept an opportunity to lead Clemson University as its next president.”
The university has had six different presidents, either permanent or temporary, since 2018, when President Lou Anna Simon resigned due to the fallout of the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal. Other major Michigan universities, such as the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, saw their presidents step away within the past year.
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