Wayne State Board Named Richard Bierschbach President
The Board of Governors promoted the former law school dean to lead the Detroit university permanently.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in People
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The Wayne State University Board of Governors appointed Richard Bierschbach as permanent president on February 1, 2026. He previously served as interim leader following a tenure as dean of the university law school.
Why it matters
The appointment aims to provide long-term institutional stability for the Detroit university. Bierschbach is the first president promoted from within the university staff in more than 50 years.
The new president signed a five-year contract with a $795,000 base annual salary and a $400,000 completion bonus. Enrollment at the university currently stands at 24,168 students.
The players
Richard Bierschbach
He is the new permanent president of Wayne State University and the former dean of its law school.
Wayne State University Board of Governors
This body serves as the governing board for the university and is responsible for executive appointments.
The details
Bierschbach takes the role after serving five months as interim president. The university saw its six-year graduation rate improve to 60% in 2025, nearing the national average of 61%.
Timeline
The university six-year graduation rate rose to 60 percent between 2011 and 2022.
Bierschbach was appointed as interim president on September 17, 2025.
Bierschbach was promoted to permanent president on February 1, 2026.
The official investiture ceremony is scheduled for October 14, 2026.
Market Landscape
This promotion marks a departure from traditional external university searches, reflecting a shift toward internal leadership cultivation. The board intends to leverage this stability to support its long-term development strategy.
Students and faculty can expect continued institutional consistency as the new president begins his five-year term. The leadership shift focuses on long-term growth and maintaining the university's graduation rate improvements.
The takeaway
The selection of an internal candidate suggests a preference for continuity over external disruption. Long-term goals for the institution include a 10 to 15-year development plan aimed at sustaining recent enrollment and graduation successes.
What happens next
The university is expected to release updated student enrollment figures in approximately one month.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest leadership changes at the institution in our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Detroit News.
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