Michigan’s public universities must focus on three priorities over the next decade: fiscal discipline, workforce development, and upward mobility.

• Fiscal discipline will require careful consideration of how universities spend money, not just how much they charge. As a Board member, I will push for rigorous budget discipline, regular program reviews that prioritize degrees with strong employment outcomes, and a willingness to sunset offerings that don’t serve students or the institution’s core mission. Wayne State’s obligation to affordability isn’t just holding the tuition line. It is ensuring every dollar works as hard as possible for students.

• Workforce Development is urgent. Southeast Michigan ranks in the bottom third among peer regions in educational attainment and GDP, even as it undergoes a generational transition toward electric vehicles, health sciences, and technology. WSU has nearly doubled its research funding over the past decade to nearly $283 million. These are dollars that should lead to regional job creation and competitiveness. I will push for deeper partnerships with Detroit’s business and civic communities to ensure graduates are career-ready for the industries defining Michigan’s next chapter.

• Upward Socioeconomic Mobility is Wayne State’s greatest calling. WSU consistently ranks among the nation’s top universities for economic mobility. I will champion student support programs, co-op and internship pipelines into high-wage careers, and completion initiatives that ensure our students graduate and thrive.