Board chair Dianne Byrum said the search was extensive with applicants from all over the United States. His depth of experience being employed for 15 years as an economics professor at MSU and working as an expert in government finance and policy made his application stand out.

Scorsone is a director of the MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy and is currently chair of the Michigan Municipal Stability Board.

“(His experience) speaks directly to some of the major responsibilities of the Board of Trustees,” Byrum said. “That is passing a budget, setting tuition and fees as well as room and board, housing rates. But beyond that, when we take a look at the fiscal strength of the university, someone with experience and educational background like Eric will be very beneficial to the board.”

Secretary and chief of staff is an executive-level position.

“The bulk of this position assists the board and their fiduciary and oversight responsibilities of the university and just helps guide us through some complex issues as well as making sure that the board is operating at a very high level,” Byrum said. “So his skillset blends nicely to those kinds of responsibilities.”