Governor appoints new member to Oakland University’s Board of Trustees

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made a new appointment to the Oakland University Board of Trustees. She has appointed Alisha Cieslak of Grand Rapids to serve an eight-year term on the Board, effective August 12, 2026. Cieslak succeeds Board Chair and former Lt. Governor Brian Calley, whose term on the board will expire.

Alisha Cieslak

Cieslak brings nearly two decades of legal and business leadership to the board, most recently serving as Chief Legal and Risk Officer for Michigan's largest privately held company, where she provided strategic counsel on complex corporate governance and risk management. She also previously served on the executive committee of the Board of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Special Olympics Michigan.

OU’s new Board appointee holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and corporate communications from The University of Michigan – Dearborn and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University. She also holds a Graduate Certificate in Board Governance from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

“Oakland University is a critical economic engine for Southeast Michigan. I am eager to apply my background in board governance, legal risk and executive leadership to help OU continue its trajectory of innovation and student success,” Ms. Cieslak said. “I view this appointment not just as a professional milestone, but as a commitment to civic stewardship and the long-term governance of our state's intellectual capital.”

“Oakland University will be fortunate to have someone of Ms. Cieslak’s considerable professional successes to help guide us through the challenging higher education landscape that lies before us,” said Oakland University president Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, “I am confident that she will help guide us in finding opportunities to empower our students and the communities we serve to create a brighter and stronger future for Michigan.”