A statewide community and economic development leader with a career spanning the Michigan Legislature, statewide association work and the nonprofit arena was named Wednesday as associate director of Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR), a new position.
Arnold Weinfeld, director of Urban Policy Initiatives at MSU’s Office for Outreach and 
Engagement, will begin his duties immediately, said IPPSR Director Matt Grossmann.
Weinfeld’s current Outreach and Engagement work includes working collaboratively with MSU faculty, community stakeholders and agencies to develop key partnerships and leading community-engaged research and evaluation projects.
His research interests range from civic engagement to municipal collaboration, municipal finance, program and policy development and policy research and analysis.
“Arnold’s executive management and legislative experience, his interests and expertise will help IPPSR expand its work and its impact across Michigan, said Grossmann.
At IPPSR, Weinfeld will work to cross boundaries and connect directly with IPPSR’s 60-plus affiliated faculty, IPPSR’s Student Fellows, newly established training programs and state policy research programs, Grossmann added.
“This is a wonderful opportunity,” Weinfeld said. “It’s a perfect fit with my background and experiences. IPPSR has established itself as a campus hub and a national force for public policy, leadership training and survey research. I look forward to helping IPPSR expand that mission.”
Weinfeld began his distinguished career as an administrative aide in the Michigan House of Representatives. From there, he became legislative liaison within the House Office of the Minority Leader and quickly rose through policy chairs to policy director.
He joined the Michigan Municipal League (MML) in 2005, first as Director of State and Federal Affairs and then as Director of Strategic Initiatives. In 2009, Weinfeld was named President of the League’s Foundation, working with an 18-member board to enhance research, education and training and raising more than $750,000 for the initiatives.
He became Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the nonprofit Prima Civitas Foundation in 2014. The organization sought to build statewide networks connecting Michigan assets with expanding opportunities for economic growth and workforce development.
Besides serving as day-to-day executive officer, Weinfeld’s work included linking regional collaboration, talent and workforce development, innovative industries and emerging markets across Michigan and around the world.
Weinfeld is a member of the Delta Township Planning Commission, Capital Area College Access Network, Global Michigan Advisory Council and Michigan Economic Developers Association Advocacy Committee. He is on the board of statewide organizations including the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association and Michigan Rural Council.
He has served as a member of the Waverly Education Foundation Board of Directors and Waverly Community Schools Board of Education.
He is a graduate of MSU’s College of Social Science Multi-Disciplinary Program.
Within MSU’s College of Social Research, IPPSR is best known as the home of the Michigan Political Leadership Program, Legislative Leadership Program, State of the State Survey and Office for Survey Research. IPPSR also administers the Rosenthal Legislative Internship Program, Michigan Policy Insiders Panel, numerous research programs and legislative staff training.