Culture, community, communication and “stagility” guide interim Michigan State University president

<p>Woodruff reflects on this “heavy moment for the institution,” President Stanley’s legacy, and her new role guiding MSU.</p><p>“Being president is not something that I sought and, right up until the last minute, didn't expect in many ways. There have been a series of abrupt changes at MSU. I also appreciate that for many within Spartan nation, this seems like something that has a little bit of familiarity to it.</p><p>“I want to reassure everyone that we really are writing a new chapter. I used a word this week, Russ. It’s ‘stagility.’ I hope we’re moving to a time of stability and stabilizing the core of the institution. But we still need to be agile and be able to work ahead. That agility and stability is enabled by what President Stanley has done in providing for all of us a living strategic plan. It is enabling the campus.  We have an inspiring faculty and academic staff, and I think they'll be able to do their good work as we move forward.</p><p>“My hope is that as we move into this new era, we'll also be able to maintain our health, the health of others, the health of the planet, and all the while open the door as wide as possible to the broadest community possible. This is part of the university strategic plan. Part of President Stanley's extraordinary legacy is to have built three strategic plans for this institution, including the <a href="https://share.transistor.fm/s/cf39ed27">RVSM</a> and <a href="https://share.transistor.fm/s/55ce08de">DEI</a> plans.</p><p>“As remarkable as all of this is to the foundation for the future, he also led us through the first several years of the Covid pandemic, and his training in infectious diseases was critical. None of us could have foreseen that would've been as timely as that was. And that was particularly true prior to the therapeutics and vaccines that are really part of our arsenal today.</p><p>“The most salient part of the work led by President Stanley is that these are not his plans. And he would say that to all of us. He has said on many occasion th