Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, President of Michigan State University

Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz, current President of Michigan State University and soon-to-be President of Clemson University, reflects on a leadership journey shaped by formative mentors, scientific inquiry, servant leadership, and an enduring commitment to students. A nationally recognized neuroscientist whose groundbreaking concussion research transformed safety standards across sport, Dr. Guskiewicz shares how a researcher’s mindset continues to shape the way he leads: asking good questions, testing assumptions, building strong teams, and communicating with clarity. In this episode, he reflects on early encouragement to lean into leadership, the pivotal moments that guided his path from faculty member to university president, and the lessons learned from mentors who challenged him to make only new mistakes. He also discusses the power of listening tours, why transparency matters during difficult decisions, and higher education’s growing responsibility to tell a stronger story about its public value. Read the full episode transcript. Interview recorded April 2026.