EAST LANSING, MI — In a matter of months, Michigan State University has delivered two significant developments that could have a lasting impact on Latino students, families and communities across Michigan.

President Dr. Kevin M. Guskiewicz recently announced he will remain at Michigan State University after withdrawing his decision to become president of Clemson University, while the university prepares to welcome Dr. Cristián Doña-Reveco as the next director of the nationally respected Julian Samora Research Institute (JSRI) on August 1.

Although the announcements are unrelated, together they represent leadership stability and a continued commitment to advancing research, outreach and educational opportunities that benefit Michigan’s growing Latino population.

A Renewed Commitment to Michigan State

After previously announcing he would leave East Lansing to lead Clemson University, Guskiewicz informed the Spartan community that he had changed course and would continue serving as Michigan State’s president.

In his message to faculty, staff, students and alumni, he reaffirmed his dedication to the university and its future.

“My commitment is to continue showing up every day with energy, humility and purpose — to listen carefully, engage openly and lead in a way that reflects the values of this university and the confidence you place in me.”

For many across campus, the announcement ended months of uncertainty and eliminated the prospect of another presidential search.

The decision provides continuity for one of the nation’s leading public research universities as it continues investing in academic excellence, community engagement and partnerships throughout Michigan.

Why Stability Matters to the Latino Community

Leadership changes at a university the size of Michigan State can have far-reaching effects beyond campus.

MSU educates thousands of Latino students, partners with Hispanic-serving organizations across the state and conducts research that helps shape public policy affecting education, healthcare, workforce development and economic opportunity.

Programs offered through MSU Extension continue to reach Latino families throughout Michigan. One recent example is the university’s partnership with Centro de Esperanza in Muskegon, where MSU Extension is offering Tomando Control de su Salud, a free Spanish-language chronic disease self-management workshop designed specifically for Hispanic residents. The program reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to providing culturally and linguistically appropriate services to Michigan communities.  

For many community leaders, stable leadership at Michigan State provides confidence that these partnerships will continue to grow.

A Homecoming for a National Latino Scholar

The university’s commitment to Latino communities was further reinforced on April 24, 2026, when Michigan State announced that Dr. Cristián Doña-Reveco had been selected as the next director of the Julian Samora Research Institute. He officially begins his tenure on August 1.

Named after pioneering sociologist Dr. Julian Samora, the institute is recognized as one of the premier Latino research centers in the Midwest. Its work focuses on generating research that informs public policy while strengthening Latino communities through education, leadership development, entrepreneurship, health equity and community engagement.

Doña-Reveco currently serves as director of the Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) and associate professor of sociology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he has led interdisciplinary research initiatives and community-engaged scholarship focused on Latino populations.

His research examines international migration throughout the Americas, Latino communities in the U.S. Midwest, immigrant experiences and the effects of economic and social crises on Hispanic populations.

Prior to Nebraska, he conducted research and taught in Santiago, Chile, while also serving as a consultant for the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

A two-time Michigan State graduate, Doña-Reveco earned both his Ph.D. in Sociology and History and his master’s degree in Sociology from MSU before beginning an academic career that has earned national recognition.

“Returning to Michigan State University is especially meaningful to me,” Doña-Reveco said when his appointment was announced. “I look forward to reconnecting with a community that shaped my academic path and to guiding JSRI’s continued growth in the years ahead.”

Building on Julian Samora’s Legacy

For more than five decades, the Julian Samora Research Institute has served as one of the nation’s leading voices on issues affecting Latino communities.

Its research on social, economic, educational and political issues helps inform policymakers, educators, nonprofit organizations and business leaders while supporting leadership development and expanding opportunities for Hispanic communities.

Under Doña-Reveco’s leadership, the institute is expected to continue strengthening partnerships throughout Michigan while expanding research that addresses the changing needs of the state’s growing Latino population.

Looking Ahead

Michigan’s Hispanic population continues to grow, making institutions like Michigan State University increasingly important in preparing future leaders and addressing challenges facing Latino communities.

President Guskiewicz’s decision to remain at Michigan State provides continuity at the university’s highest level, while Dr. Doña-Reveco’s arrival brings nationally recognized expertise to one of the country’s most respected Latino research institutes.

Together, the two developments position Michigan State to continue expanding its impact through research, education and community partnerships that benefit Hispanic communities across Michigan and the Midwest.

For Latino students, educators, nonprofit organizations and families, the message is encouraging: Michigan State University remains committed to investing not only in its future, but also in the future of the communities it serves.