MSU Institute Names Former State Treasurer Interim Director
Media Contacts: Amy J. Baumer
or AnnMarie
Schneider
Release Date: June 4, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Institute for Public Policy and
Social Research (IPPSR) at Michigan State University (MSU) today
named Douglas B. Roberts its interim director. Roberts, who served
as Michigan’s State Treasurer and holds a Doctorate in Economics
from MSU, will replace current director Carol S. Weissert upon her
August departure.
Roberts said his primary goal is to heighten public awareness of
the Institute’s rich resources, such as faculty research developed
to provide nonpartisan information to the state.
“Bridging policymakers, practitioners and university faculty
will be the top priority during my tenure as IPPSR’s interim
director,” said Roberts. “I look forward to augmenting
the Institute’s survey, evaluation and applied research to
assist state government leaders.”
Roberts has more than 25 years of experience in Michigan government,
including 10 years as state treasurer, time as director of the Senate
Fiscal Agency and as deputy superintendent of the Department of
Education. He also served for two years as a vice president with
Lockheed Martin IMS. He holds doctorate and master’s degrees
in economics from MSU and a bachelor’s degree in economics
from the University of Maryland.
"Doug Roberts has been an integral part of Michigan policymaking
for two decades and brings enormous skills and experience to the
Institute,” said Carol S. Weissert, outgoing director and
political science professor. “His blend of high-level practical
background and strong economic training will be pivotal in identifying
issues and sponsoring research relevant and important to state policymakers."
Weissert will leave MSU to assume a new position as the LeRoy Collins
Eminent Scholar Chair in Civic Education and Political Science at
Florida State University in Tallahassee. The chair is named for
LeRoy Collins, former governor of Florida. Professor Weissert will
conduct research and provide a leadership role in Florida and nationally
on state politics and public participation. She has been at MSU
since 1989 and has headed IPPSR since 2000.
A national search for a permanent IPPSR director is underway. Political
Science Professor David Rohde chairs the search
committee which hopes to have a replacement for Weissert
in place within a year.
The Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR) is the
nonpartisan public policy network at MSU. Housed within the College
of Social Science, IPPSR is dedicated to connecting legislators,
scholars and practitioners through survey, evaluation and applied
research, policy forums, and political leadership instruction. More
information may be found at www.ippsr.msu.edu.
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For more general MSU news, visit MSUToday.
IPPSR Director
Search Committee
David Rohde (Chair)
Sandra Batie
Thomas Dietz
John Goddeeris
Lynn Jondahl
Anne Mervenne
Charles Salmon
William Schmidt
Dozier Thornton
Bill Rustem
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