Wayne State University Appoints Interim President as Permanent Leader

The university's Board of Governors decided not to conduct a national search, citing Richard Bierschbach's strong leadership and community support.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Wayne State University's interim President Richard Bierschbach has been named the school's 14th president after the Board of Governors unanimously voted to elevate him to the permanent role without conducting a national search or interviewing other candidates. The board cited Bierschbach's accomplishments in elevating the law school's national reputation, fundraising success, and strong support from the campus community.

Why it matters

The decision to appoint Bierschbach without a national search is rare for a major university, as such searches are typically seen as a core part of shared governance that allows for input from faculty, staff, students, and the broader community. However, the board felt Bierschbach had already proven his leadership abilities and that conducting a search would be an unnecessary use of university resources.

The details

Bierschbach, 53, joined WSU in 2017 as dean of the law school after previously serving at Yeshiva University. During his tenure, the law school's rankings climbed 45 spots to the highest in the school's history, employment rates after graduation increased, and philanthropy surged. Bierschbach was appointed interim president in September 2025 following the resignation of former President Kimberly Andrews Espy.

  • Bierschbach was appointed interim president in September 2025.
  • The Board of Governors voted unanimously to name Bierschbach the permanent president on March 2, 2026.

The players

Richard Bierschbach

The 14th president of Wayne State University, who previously served as the dean of the WSU law school and has been praised for elevating the school's national reputation and fundraising success.

Kimberly Andrews Espy

The former president of Wayne State University, who resigned in 2025 after two years into her five-year contract, citing 'personal reasons' though a source said there were tensions with the board.

Shirley Stancato

The past chair of the Wayne State University Board of Governors and chair of the presidential search committee, who praised Bierschbach's leadership and the campus community's support for him.

Bryan Barnhill II

The current chair of the Wayne State University Board of Governors, who said the board 'intentionally decided not to pursue a national search' because they felt Bierschbach was the right candidate.

Michael Busuito

A member of the Wayne State University Board of Governors who expressed confidence in Bierschbach's qualifications and support from the campus community.

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What they’re saying

“President Bierschbach has proven to be a strong, trusted and collaborative leader who understands Detroit, our region, and Michigan, actively engaged in campus life, strengthening partnerships, and is ready to address the challenges and opportunities in a head-on, collaborative manner.”

— Shirley Stancato, Past Board Chair and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee (themanchestermirror.com)

“We felt that we found our candidate and could save the university resources by not hiring a search firm.”

— Bryan Barnhill II, Board Chair (themanchestermirror.com)

“I don't think we could get a better person. He's a legal scholar. He's nationally renowned. He teaches, does research, and proven to be a fundraiser. He skyrocketed our international rankings of our law school. The faculty love him. The students love him. I don't think you can get better than that.”

— Michael Busuito, Board Member (themanchestermirror.com)

What’s next

The board will finalize Bierschbach's contract and salary details in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Wayne State University's decision to appoint an interim president as the permanent leader without a national search is highly unusual, but the board felt Bierschbach had already proven his abilities to elevate the university's reputation and garner strong support from the campus community. This move highlights the growing trend of universities seeking to save time and resources by promoting from within rather than conducting extensive presidential searches.