Wayne State University in Detroit has elected Richard Bierschbach, its former law school dean, its new president, removing the “interim” from his title.
Bierschbach served as the university’s interim president since last September, taking over for Kimberly Espy, who resigned after two years in the role. He was the dean of the Wayne State law school for nearly a decade before assuming the interim president’s role.
“I am honored to serve as the 14th president of Wayne State University and grateful to the Board of Governors for their trust and confidence,” says Bierschbach. “Wayne State’s mission is rooted in accessible excellence that opens doors and creates opportunity.
“Every day, our community advances that mission through work that changes lives; strengthens our city, region, and state; and makes an impact around the world. We are public, urban education as it should be.”
Bierschbach demonstrated an ability to facilitate change during his tenure as the law school dean. Wayne Law’s ranking on the U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools List rose 45 spots during his time as the school’s leader. The school’s post-graduate employment rates rose to their highest rates ever as well. Additionally, philanthropic giving more than doubled under his leadership, eclipsing the $5 million mark.
He also led the development and launch of the university’s 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 B.A. in law, one of only six such programs in the entire country at the time.
Before becoming dean of Wayne Law, he practiced law, focusing on Supreme Court and appellate litigation, for several New York City firms. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees at the University of Michigan and is a native of Wyoming, Michigan.
