“No question we need more transparency at Michigan State,” Denno said. “We need more trustees who are going to listen to students and employees on campus … Let’s face it, if students don’t feel safe on campus they’re not going to do well academically.”

Denno was a staffer in the Michigan legislature for 17 years. He said his knowledge of legislative operations would be helpful in a trustee position.

“The Board of Trustees is basically the legislature for the university, the checks and balances against the president’s office,” Denno said. “I’ve got that legislative experience.  I know how to work with groups.”

Denno was nominated to run for this position by the Michigan Democrats in 2010 and he was inspired to run again. He said he lives a mile from campus and he notices the impacts MSU has on mid-Michigan as the largest employer and landholder in the area. 

“I really care about the university,” Denno said. “The university has such a big impact on the whole mid-Michigan region, and the whole state, especially the mid-Michigan region … Michigan State hasn’t always been the best community partner and that’s something I want to look at and fix.”