Oakland University in Rochester Hills has appointed Board of Trustees Vice Chair Brian Calley as its new chair, and named Trina Scott as new vice chair.
Calley, who was unanimously elected at the Aug. 7 board meeting, replaces Joe Jones, who was appointed chair in June 2024. Although Jones steps down as chair, he will continue to serve as a member of the board.
“Joe Jones has led Oakland University’s Board of Trustees with honor and distinction. We’re immensely grateful for his thoughtful approach as the university navigates a rapidly evolving higher education landscape — one marked by critical challenges and exciting opportunities,” says Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, president of Oakland University.
Calley is president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, and chairman for the Autism Alliance of Michigan.
In the latter position, Calley works to increase access to autism services and champions efforts on mental health, combating the opioid addiction epidemic, jail diversion, special education reform, disability hiring, and eliminating child lead poisoning.
A native of Portland, Calley served as Michigan’s 63rd lieutenant governor from 2011-2018. He also previously served as Ionia County commissioner, and later served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives.
At its June 27 meeting, the Board of Trustees appointed Trina Scott as vice chair of OU’s Board of Trustees.
Scott is the vice president of civic and community affairs at Rocket Family of Cos., and previously was executive vice president of appraisal services at Amrock. From 2017-2022, Scott served as chief diversity officer at Rock Ventures. Earlier, during her time working at Ernst & Young, she led an education program to promote college access in over 30 U.S. urban cities.
A native of Southfield, she’s an alumnus of OU, where she competed on the women’s basketball team and later served on the Oakland University Alumni Association Board of Directors. In addition, she is a former board member of Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the Southwest Detroit Lighthouse Charter School, and the Detroit Police Athletic League.
