Michigan State University Interim President Teresa Woodruff says she has decided to not seek the full-time presidency.
Woodruff has been leading the school since November of 2022 following the resignation of President Samuel Stanley Jr. He stepped down for what he cited as a loss of confidence in the Board of Trustees.
Before that, Woodruff was the university's provost.
Her tenure as interim president has included guiding MSU in the response and recovery following the February mass shooting on campus. Three students were killed, and five others were injured.
Woodruff announced her decision Sunday with a statement.
“I was honored to be asked and then unanimously voted by the Board of Trustees to serve in an interim role as president, leading this great university at a moment of tumult and uncertainty. I have been humbled by the support of our deans, Faculty Senate, students and employees, alumni, and government, business and industry leaders across the state of Michigan and beyond. Together, we have stabilized the university. Together, we experienced and continue to heal from the violence that occurred on our campus in February. Together we have set a course for a safer and more welcoming campus for all. And together, we have created the context for sustained excellence in our shared future," she wrote.
“I wish for a continued period of stability for the university. Thus, and to enable that goal, I do not seek the full-time presidency, but will support the individual selected for this role as they assume the helm.”
The search for a permanent replacement began this spring. The search committee is led by Board of Trustees members Dennis Denno and Brianna Scott.
Denno says members of the group are reviewing applications as they come in.
“We've had an incredible number of talented people express interest and apply for the position. And with Teresa not applying, this adds clarity to the search pool and will most likely encourage others to apply,” he said.
The firm Issacson, Miller has been hired to identify potential candidates.
Denno says the committee plans to have the president hired by no later than Thanksgiving of this year.
“It's currently open, and we are still collecting names and still collecting CVs,” he added. “We have a great pool of candidates, both traditional and nontraditional, who are interested in leading Michigan State University.”
Denno says fewer than one hundred people have applied for the role so far.
In a statement, MSU Board Chair Rema Vassar expressed her gratitude to Woodruff for her time served as interim president.
“On behalf of the MSU Board of Trustees, I thank Dr. Woodruff for stepping into the role of interim president and providing resolute leadership these past 10 months. We appreciate her hard work on behalf of the university, the students, faculty and staff, our alumni, and the greater Spartan community. We particularly recognize her steadfast leadership during the violence that our campus experienced in February and her commitment to improved safety since then. We look forward to her support through an upcoming presidential transition period.”
Woodruff plans to remain interim president until a new permanent leader is selected.
