MSU Board of Trustees member Colleen McNamara was appointed Monday to the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The authority, a 15-member group that seeks to make higher education more accessible to students, is required by state law to have an MSU trustee serve, said Granholm's spokeswoman Liz Boyd.

"The governor felt very strongly that Colleen would be an excellent member of the authority," Boyd said. "Colleen has a proven commitment to higher education."

McNamara replaces Trustee Donald Nugent on the authority, after the expiration of his term.

"I felt very honored that the governor had appointed me and had expressed that confidence in me that I would bring something of value to this," said McNamara, who added that she has not yet attended an authority meeting.

Assuring that as many people as possible are able to attend a post-secondary institution in Michigan is of importance, McNamara said.

"Certainly my hope is that I represent Michigan State well and that I am helpful to college students throughout the state," she said.

The authority also is composed of a representative from Wayne State University and the University of Michigan, in addition to private and community colleges and two members from any of the other four-year public universities in Michigan, among other organizations.

Trustee Dorothy Gonzales said McNamara's appointment is a way to bring important issues to the forefront.

"I think it's good for Michigan State, and it's good for her," Gonzales said. "Having somebody sitting at the table from MSU, discussing issues of higher education, we can finalize our comments through Colleen and she can bring it to the table."