EAST LANSING, Mich. (News 10) – Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz is set to remain with the school after announcing in May he was leaving to become the president at Clemson University in South Carolina.
Clemson officials first confirmed the news in a social media post Monday.
“The Clemson University Board of Trustees was notified today (7/6/26) that Kevin Guskiewicz has chosen to remain at Michigan State University for personal reasons,” the post said. “The national search had a robust pool of candidates, and the Board will be meeting soon to determine next steps.”
Details surrounding Guskiewicz’s contract with MSU are not immediately clear. News 10 Lansing has reached out to MSU officials for comment on the situation.
Guskiewicz wrote the following letter to the MSU community:
Over the past several weeks, there has been considerable discussion and speculation about the future of Michigan State University and what another leadership transition could mean for this extraordinary institution. I know this period has created uncertainty and raised important questions across our community. It also prompted a period of deep personal reflection about my own commitment to Michigan State and the future we are building together.
After much thought, countless conversations and careful consideration, I have decided to remain at Michigan State University and continue serving as your president.
When I came to Michigan State, I did so because I believed deeply in the promise of this university and in the people who make it exceptional. Over the past two years, that belief has only grown stronger. Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the remarkable work of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters. I have seen lives transformed through education, discoveries that improve our world, and a community that continually rises to meet challenges with resilience, compassion and purpose.
As Amy and I reflected on the possibility of leaving, we kept returning to one simple truth: we love this university. This place has become home to our family. The people, the mission and the opportunity to make a lasting difference here mean more to us than we can adequately express.
I recognize that some members of our community may have questions about my commitment. That is understandable. Our university has experienced more than its share of change in recent years, and I regret that my decision-making over the past several weeks added to that uncertainty. For that, I am sincerely sorry.
Trust is not restored through words alone. It is earned through consistency, transparency and action. My commitment is to continue showing up every day with energy, humility and purpose — to listen carefully, engage openly and lead in a way that reflects the values of this university and the confidence you place in me.
Michigan State is more than an institution; it is a community united by a shared purpose and strengthened by our proud land-grant mission. That mission has never felt more important. The opportunities before us are extraordinary. Together, we will continue elevating academic excellence, expanding the impact of our research enterprise, supporting student success, strengthening partnerships across Michigan and beyond and ensuring that generations of future Spartans have the opportunity to pursue an education that changes lives. These are long-term commitments, and I firmly believe our best days are still ahead. I want to help build that future alongside all of you — as One Team.
During the past several weeks, under the strong leadership of Board Chair Brianna Scott and Vice Chair Renee Knake Jefferson, we have had productive conversations about the governance challenges I previously shared. The board has demonstrated a commitment to implementing a more robust governance structure, including recent improvements to the Code of Ethics and Conduct. I am also grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have expressed confidence in Michigan State’s future and the importance of strong, stable leadership. I appreciate the thoughtful conversations taking place across our state about governance and how we can best position Michigan State — and all of Michigan’s public universities — to thrive for generations to come. I remain committed to working alongside every trustee and every member of our community who is focused on moving Michigan State forward.
I am grateful for the patience the board extended as I worked through this deeply personal decision, and for the confidence and encouragement I received from members of the board, our leadership team, our distinguished faculty and so many alumni, donors, students, staff and friends of the university. Your support, counsel, honest feedback and belief in Michigan State’s future reinforced what has always made Michigan State special: people here care deeply about this university and about one another. Your voices mattered, and they played an important role in my reflection and my conviction that this is where Amy and I are meant to be.
Stability matters. Trust matters. Collaboration matters. Those principles will continue to guide my leadership. Higher education faces undeniable challenges, but it also has an extraordinary opportunity to shape the future of our state, our nation and our world. By working together, listening to one another and focusing on the aspirations we share, I am confident there is no limit to what Michigan State can achieve.
Serving as president of Michigan State is one of the greatest honors of my professional life. I am grateful for the opportunity to continue this journey with you, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together.
Sincerely,
Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D.
“The past few weeks have been a time of reflection for everyone at MSU, and President Guskiewicz’s decision is best for MSU,” Trustee Dennis Denno said in a statement to News 10 Lansing.
Guskiewicz was set to leave the school amid growing dysfunction within the MSU Board of Trustees. He accepted the position at Clemson less than two weeks after the MSU Board of Trustees voted to recommend a new contract for Guskiewicz during a contentious special meeting.
At the time he announced his departure, Guskiewicz shared a message to the Spartan community, saying in part, “effective university leadership requires a shared commitment to collaboration, trust and a forward-looking vision. While many across this university community have embraced that spirit, it has become increasingly clear that there are differing perspectives within the Board of Trustees regarding how best to move MSU forward.”
“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,” his letter said. “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. This was not an easy decision, particularly because of the deep admiration Amy and I have for this campus, the people who care deeply about its land-grant mission and the many relationships that have made this experience so meaningful for us and our family.”
Circumstances surrounding his decision to remain in East Lansing are not immediately clear.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
This is a developing story. Stay with News 10 Lansing for the latest updates as they become available.
Stream News 10 Lansing on your favorite devices! Here’s how to download the News 10+ app on Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV.
Be the first to see the Mid-Michigan headlines you care about – download the News 10+ app and subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather.
Copyright 2026 WILX. All rights reserved.
