Board of Governors appoints Richard Bierschbach, Wayne State University as interim president

Board of Governors appoints Richard Bierschbach, Wayne State University as interim president DETROIT - The Board of Governors of Wayne State University has accepted the resignation of Dr. Kimberly Espy as president, effective today. Dr. Espy has served as Wayne State's 13th president since August 1, 2023, after a distinguished career in higher education at numerous prominent universities. "Serving this institution has been an honor, and I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together-from advancing student success and expanding research innovation to strengthening the community through collaboration," Espy said. "With the remarkable students who inspired me every day, this decision was not a simple one, and I look forward to spending more time with my family. I am confident in the university's continued momentum and further success for the future." Dr. Espy focused on accelerating social mobility for students through signature efforts, such as the College to Career Initiative to advance career-readiness and the Student Success 2.0: Every Warrior Rises Initiative to further improve graduation rates through personalized support, which included the innovative Warriors on the Rise "direct admissions" partnership with Detroit Public School Community District that she masterminded. With her vision and these efforts, the university realized successive enrollment growth for each year to achieve a post-pandemic record in total enrollment, as well as increased first-year retention. Under Dr. Espy's leadership, Wayne State grew its impact on the region's economic growth by aligning capacity with regional needs, such as the collaboration with the U.S. Armed Forces DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Warren. The university achieved the highest level of research activity in its history during her tenure, with growth outpacing national peers, and realized a 150% increase in the number of prestigious and highly prestigious faculty awards. The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities awarded the university its top economic development prize, the Innovation and Economic Engagement Connections Award, in 2024, for its work through TechTown, the university's entrepreneurship and business support hub. Dr. Espy was a champion of operational excellence and ongoing national best practices implementation, and pioneered the University's organizational compliance and ethics program and enterprise risk management effort. Speaking for the university's eight-member Board of Governors, Chair Shirley Stancato said, "We thank Dr. Espy for her leadership and achievements for the university during her service." The Board of Governors appointed, today, Richard Bierschbach, dean and John W. Reed professor of Law at the Wayne State University Law School, to the position of interim president. Interim President Bierschbach is Wayne State University's longest-serving dean. "In his eight-year tenure at Wayne State, Dean Bierschbach has proven to be a strong, trusted, and transformational leader, earning the respect and confidence of his peers at the Law School and across the university. We are confident he will serve Wayne State and our community well during this transition," said Stancato. Through this transition, Interim President Bierschbach, with the support of the Board of Governors and a strong leadership team, is committed to extending the university's accomplishments in academic excellence, research, student success and community impact. In consultation with the faculty, and consistent with our shared governance process, the university will identify and appoint an Acting Dean for the Law School for the duration of Bierschbach's tenure as Interim President, after which he is expected to return to the dean position. Plans for a national executive search for a new president will be announced soon. Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 375 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to 24,000 students. Media Contact: Peter Van Dyke, VVK PR + Creative [email protected] - 313-530-7882