Meet Wayne State University's President

Richard A. Bierschbach was elected the 14th president of Wayne State University by the Board of Governors on Feb. 24, 2026. A member of the Wayne State community for nine years, he serves as the university’s chief executive, leading its mission to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities. As president, he oversees academic and research programs, financial and operational strategy, capital planning, fundraising, and external engagement.  
 
Since his appointment as interim president in September 2025, Bierschbach has ensured progress, stability, and continued growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Wayne State launched its Institute for AI and Data Science, funded 10 new College to Career Awards supporting student success, built continued momentum around the new Grand Challenges research initiative, and celebrated strong continued enrollment and record years for both fundraising and research expenditures.   
 
As dean, Bierschbach led the Wayne State Law School through an unprecedented period of growth and institutional change. During his tenure, Wayne Law’s U.S. News & World Report ranking climbed 45 spots, to the highest in the school’s history. Post-graduation employment rates rose sharply to their highest rate on record, and philanthropic giving surged, with major gifts more than doubling, more than $5 million being awarded in donor-funded scholarships, and the law school setting a record for total fundraising in fiscal year 2025. Bierschbach led the development and launch of several innovative programs, including an online master of studies in law for non-lawyers, an interdisciplinary holistic defense program with the WSU School of Social Work, an interdisciplinary undergraduate minor in law and an interdisciplinary undergraduate bachelor of arts in law — one of only six such programs in the entire country at the time. On the strength of that growth, the law school and university secured state approval for capital funding to replace the aging Law School Classroom Building, a project that is currently in the planning stages.

“Together, we will continue to be a place where talented, determined students can achieve their dreams regardless of their starting point; remain a force for positive change in Detroit and beyond; and uphold the academic excellence and integrity that define us as a leading research university.”

- President Richard A. Bierschbach