Overview
Established in Fall 2022, the university awards the title "Red Cedar Distinguished Professor" to selected current and new faculty to assist MSU in recruitment, recognition, and retention of outstanding faculty at all academic ranks, with the primary aim of enhancing the stature of the institution in research and creative activity.
The award of the title will be made to individuals who combine externally recognized, exemplary scholarly accomplishment and/or potential, with clear professional relevance to specific areas of MSU scholarly need, disciplinary development, or research or creative emphasis. Consideration will also include the candidate's teaching innovation and excellence.
Faculty awardees retain the title of "Red Cedar Distinguished Professor" for the duration of their service at MSU. Each also receives scholarly support for the first three years after their award. The funds are provided equally by the nominating college(s), the Vice President for Research and Innovation, and the Provost.
Nomination Process
Submission materials for the online form should include:
- Letter of nomination from the Dean(s).
- Substantial and laudatory written assessment of the accomplishments and/or prospects of the awardee from external peer reviewers.
- Current CV of the nominee.
Upon selection, the nominating dean and awardee will be notified of approval by the Office of Research and Innovation, and the home college of the professor will prepare an announcement to the University community. Nominations for Red Cedar Distinguished Professorships are accepted throughout the year and reviewed by committee in the Fall and Spring semesters. New Red Cedar Distinguished Professors are invited to the university investiture event held in the fall.
The next deadline for nominations will be September, 2025.
For any questions, please contact:
Brooke Gallagher-Rademacher
Chief of Staff
Office of Research and Innovation
Email galla106@msu.edu
517-355-0306
Red Cedar Distinguished Professors
Year designates the fiscal/academic year of the appointment.
Ángel Abuelo, 2025, College of Veterniary Medicine, Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Patrick Edger, 2024, College of Agriculture and Natural Science, Department of Horticulture
Kevin Elliott, 2025, Lyman Briggs College, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Sarah Evans, 2024, College of Natural Science, Integrative Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program
Jackie Goodway, 2025, College of Education, Department of Kinesiology
Gina Leinninger, 2024, College of Natural Science, Department of Physiology
Zhaojian Li, 2024, College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Michelle Moyd, 2023, College of Social Science, Department of History
Karin Pfeiffer, 2024, College of Education, Institute for the Study of Youth Sports
Yadu Pokhrel, 2025, College of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Shin-Han Shiu, 2024, College of Natural Science, Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Plant Biology
Irving Vega, 2023, College of Human Medicine, Department of Translational Neuroscience
Kui Xie, 2024, College of Education, Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology and Special Education
Minami Yoda, 2024, College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Elise Zipkin, 2024, College of Natural Science, Integrative Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior Program