DETROIT – Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., has announced the appointment of Melissa Smiley as the new chief of staff and university relations officer, a decision that reflects the university's commitment to community advocacy, executive strategy, organizational operations, and both state and local government leadership.
Smiley, whose appointment was approved electronically by the Board of Governors and is expected to be affirmed at their upcoming March meeting, will join the university on March 4. She brings a wealth of experience from her current role as chief of staff at WorkMoney and her previous leadership positions across various sectors.
As chief of staff and university relations officer, Smiley will lead the new University Relations division and be responsible for overall external advocacy strategy and operational tactics, uniting university leadership’s efforts and bringing together staff in Government and Community Affairs, Marketing and Communications, and the Board of Governors office.
At WorkMoney, Smiley has helped steer a rapidly growing nationwide startup nonprofit aimed at enhancing the financial well-being of working Americans. President Espy said her diverse experiences as an organizational leader spanning local and state government and the nonprofit sector have prepared her for the complexities and challenges currently facing higher education.
Prior to her role at WorkMoney, Smiley was chief of staff to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a position that required her nimble thinking, collaborative leadership style and organizational expertise during the COVID-19 pandemic and two challenging election cycles. She also launched the Secretary of State’s first Race and Equity taskforce and led efforts to convert more than 130 branch offices to an appointment model, drastically reducing wait times and enhancing efficiency.
Prior to that, she served as special assistant to the president and vice president of strategy and operations at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, where she led governance activities for the foundation’s Board of Trustees, spearheaded the board’s diversification initiative and directed all functions of the president’s office. She also served as deputy chief of staff to Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan during the city’s bankruptcy. She has an A.B. from Bryn Mawr College as well as a master of public health, a master of urban planning, and a Ph.D. in epidemiological science from the University of Michigan.
Highlighting Smiley's personal connection to Wayne State and her enthusiasm for the institution, President Espy shared, "Melissa is also a member of our Midtown community and an ardent supporter of Wayne State. She lives just blocks from campus and spoke enthusiastically during her recent visits about the work being done at Wayne State."
President Espy expressed gratitude toward David Ripple and the search committee for their work during the process, as well as all who attended listening sessions with the candidates. She also thanked Michael Wright for his significant contributions as chief of staff and vice president of marketing and communications. "Michael has been an invaluable part of our leadership team for more than 16 years. Among his many accomplishments, he helped oversee the launch of the Warrior Strong brand campaign, centralized our university communications, and served as an organizational leader during times of transition and challenge, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” said President Espy. “His work has left a lasting mark on our university, and we wish him the best in retirement.”
Smiley said she is eager to join the Wayne State community.
“I was so inspired by the faculty and staff I had the privilege of meeting during the search process,” said Smiley. “I’m eager to tell Wayne State's story and advocate for the Warrior community.”
Related articles
Accelerate mobility
-
Math's 'Flipped classroom’ model to supports student success
-
Wayne State celebrates first-generation students, social mobility
-
Provost announces 2024-25 Academic Leadership Academy cohort
-
Wayne State School of Social Work receives more than $1 million to support the next generation of Michigan’s behavioral health social workers
College to Career
-
WSU student selected for prestigious trucking program to shape the future of logistics
-
Wayne State University introduces 24 courses to boost academic offerings
-
Wayne State celebrates first-generation students, social mobility
-
Wayne State University launches WSU OPEN to speed and simplify external partnerships, names Michigan Central as first partner
Fuel innovation
-
Wayne State University wins top national prize for innovation and economic engagement
-
Wayne State University launches WSU OPEN to speed and simplify external partnerships, names Michigan Central as first partner
-
Wayne State University partners with Michigan Tech to launch NEH-Funded Deep Mapping Institute
-
Detroit researchers find new clues in causes of vision loss in various ocular diseases that may lead to new treatments
Empower health
-
College of Nursing grant helps train hundreds to address mental health challenges
-
Diabetes on the rise: How Wayne State’s experts are leading the charge for change
-
Wayne State-led health care collaborative launches network to promote healthier pregnancies in Michigan
-
Wayne State’s School of Medicine advances breast cancer care with innovative, patient-centered therapies
Public Health
-
V Efua Prince explores urban health challenges in new book ‘Kin’ amid ongoing research on addiction and mental health
-
Riding with the Wayne Mobile Health Unit
-
NIH funds critical center in Detroit to lead efforts to investigate and mitigate health impacts of community-voiced chemical and non-chemical stressors
-
Wayne State University experts warn of potential threats due to low vaccination rates in Michigan; stress importance of immunization