• MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz will depart university to become next president of Clemson University
  • The Board of Trustees voted to offer him an additional $1 million in pay during a special meeting amid fears of losing him 
  • In his departure message, Guskiewicz mentioned ‘differing perspectives’ on the board. He is the third permanent president to depart MSU in 8 years

Michigan State University President Kevin Guskiewicz is departing his post to become president of Clemson University, less than 2½ years into his tenure and in spite of a $1 million raise that would have made his annual base salary $2 million.

Clemson University, a public university in South Carolina, introduced Guskiewicz on Wednesday as its next president.

“Together, we will continue advancing Clemson’s tradition of excellence through student success, innovation and impact,” said a post from the university on X. “Welcome to the Clemson Family, President-Elect Guskiewicz!

Guskiewicz could not be reached for comment. Nor could any of the MSU trustees or officials. In a public statement, Guskiewicz mentioned “differing perspectives” on the university’s Board of Trustees.

“At times, too much energy has been spent revisiting past conflicts and internal disagreements rather than focusing collectively on the opportunities and aspirations ahead of us,” Gustkiewicz wrote in a letter thanking the Spartan community.  

His departure comes after the Board of Trustees voted to give him a $1 million raise a week ago amid concerns he may be departing and approved a controversial board ethics policy. 

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“This is surprising, especially given the raise the Regents approved,” said Jim Finkelstein, a George Mason University professor emeritus who studies university presidents “That tells us something important. Whatever was driving him out of East Lansing, it was not something a larger paycheck was going to solve. The MSU Board was willing to pay almost $1 million more per year and still lost him.”

At the time, Board Chair Brianna Scott said that he may be departing due to his frustration of op-eds, podcasts and “inappropriate email messages wherein he’s been disrespected” and he has been internalizing for months.

“He came to Michigan State on a promise that we would abide by governance principles and we have not done that,” Scott said.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Scott expressed appreciation for Guskiewicz’s leadership.

“We greatly value these past two-plus years under President Guskiewicz,” Scott said. “His leadership has set the university on a positive trajectory and one that we can continue during this transition.” 

She added that the board would soon announce a transition plan.

Guskiewicz  is the third permanent president to depart the state’s second-largest university in eight years, after former President Lou Anna Simon resigned in 2018 amid the sexual abuse scandal involving the former doctor who is now incarcerated, Larry Nassar. 

Guskiewicz began his MSU tenure in 2024 after serving as chancellor of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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