State

Governor of Wayne State University

Vote for: 2
Term: 8 years
Candidates: 10
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The eight members of the Board of Governors govern Wayne State University: they set tuition and the budget, and hire the university's president.

Open seats: incumbent governors Bryan Barnhill and Anil Kumar are not on the ballot.

Candidates Compare by issue

Shereef Akeel

Democratic

Civil rights attorney · Oakland County

The gist

Supports more state funding to keep tuition affordable
Proposes raising WSU's four-year graduation rate
Supports protecting WSU's international students
Supports collective bargaining and more union jobs at WSU
Supports more oversight of WSU contracts and spending
Supports expanded student mental health services

More about Shereef

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Supports more state funding to keep tuition affordable
Platform - Shereef Akeel for WSU
Campaign website · Committee for Shereef Akeel · akeelforwsu.com
“Champion affordable tuition and debt reduction. Fight for increased state funding to keep higher education within reach for working families.”
Proposes raising WSU's four-year graduation rate
Prominent attorney Shereef Akeel seeks seat on Wayne State University Board of Governors
Interview · The Arab American News · Feb 27, 2026 · arabamericannews.com
“the university’s four-year graduation rate, which stands at 36 percent”
Supports protecting WSU's international students
Prominent attorney Shereef Akeel seeks seat on Wayne State University Board of Governors
Interview · The Arab American News · Feb 27, 2026 · arabamericannews.com
“He stressed the importance of protecting international students, especially at Wayne State”
Supports collective bargaining and more union jobs at WSU
Prominent attorney Shereef Akeel seeks seat on Wayne State University Board of Governors
Interview · The Arab American News · Feb 27, 2026 · arabamericannews.com
“He also supports collective bargaining and expanding union job opportunities.”
Supports more oversight of WSU contracts and spending
Platform - Shereef Akeel for WSU
Campaign website · Committee for Shereef Akeel · akeelforwsu.com
“Increase oversight on contracts, spending, and leadership accountability.”
Supports expanded student mental health services
Platform - Shereef Akeel for WSU
Campaign website · Committee for Shereef Akeel · akeelforwsu.com
“Enhance mental health and wellness services.”

Richard Mack

Democratic

Labor and civil rights attorney

The gist

Supports fair pay for WSU faculty and staff
Pledges to make WSU more affordable and safe
Supports expanding WSU's reach in Detroit and statewide

More about Richard

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Supports fair pay for WSU faculty and staff
Richard Mack for WSU
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Richard Mack to Wayne State University Board of Governors · richardmackforwsu.com
“help deliver a top-notch education for students, while fairly compensating the faculty and staff who make that education possible.”
Pledges to make WSU more affordable and safe
Richard Mack for WSU
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Richard Mack to Wayne State University Board of Governors · richardmackforwsu.com
“I am driven to help make WSU more affordable, safe, and connected to the entire state of Michigan.”
Supports expanding WSU's reach in Detroit and statewide
Richard Mack for WSU
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Richard Mack to Wayne State University Board of Governors · richardmackforwsu.com
“expand the University's reach into the community, both in the city of Detroit and across the state.”

Andy Anuzis

Republican

Principal, Lincoln-King High School (Cornerstone Schools)

The gist

Supports WSU signing the Chicago Statement on free expression
Proposes studying a Wayne State Civil Society Institute
Proposes reviewing ancillary programs to hold down tuition
Opposes ideological criteria in hiring or firing WSU's president
Supports funding humanities alongside professional programs

More about Andy

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Supports WSU signing the Chicago Statement on free expression
Questions & Answers - Andy for Wayne State University
Campaign website · Andy Anuzis for Wayne State University · andyforwaynestate.com
“I would encourage Wayne State to become a formal signatory to the Chicago Statement”
Proposes studying a Wayne State Civil Society Institute
Questions & Answers - Andy for Wayne State University
Campaign website · Andy Anuzis for Wayne State University · andyforwaynestate.com
“evaluate the feasibility of creating a Wayne State Civil Society Institute”
Proposes reviewing ancillary programs to hold down tuition
Questions & Answers - Andy for Wayne State University
Campaign website · Andy Anuzis for Wayne State University · andyforwaynestate.com
“each should be scrutinized to see if it can be self-funded”
Opposes ideological criteria in hiring or firing WSU's president
Questions & Answers - Andy for Wayne State University
Campaign website · Andy Anuzis for Wayne State University · andyforwaynestate.com
“Hiring and firing a university president should not be based on a board member’s personal or ideological dispositions.”
Supports funding humanities alongside professional programs
Questions & Answers - Andy for Wayne State University
Campaign website · Andy Anuzis for Wayne State University · andyforwaynestate.com
“I would financially support Wayne State’s excellent undergraduate and graduate humanities”

Christa Murphy

Republican

Technology executive

The gist

Proposes program reviews and ending low-value offerings
Supports deeper WSU partnerships with Detroit businesses
Supports co-op, internship and degree-completion programs

More about Christa

View sources (1)

Proposes program reviews and ending low-value offerings
Q & A - Christa Murphy for Wayne State
Campaign website · Christa Murphy for Wayne State · murphyforwaynestate.com
“regular program reviews that prioritize degrees with strong employment outcomes, and a willingness to sunset offerings”
Supports deeper WSU partnerships with Detroit businesses
Q & A - Christa Murphy for Wayne State
Campaign website · Christa Murphy for Wayne State · murphyforwaynestate.com
“I will push for deeper partnerships with Detroit’s business and civic communities”
Supports co-op, internship and degree-completion programs
Q & A - Christa Murphy for Wayne State
Campaign website · Christa Murphy for Wayne State · murphyforwaynestate.com
“I will champion student support programs, co-op and internship pipelines into high-wage careers, and completion initiatives”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 5 issues covered in this race.