Governor Whitmer appoints two new members to Oakland University’s Board of Trustees

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has made two new appointments to the Oakland University Board of Trustees.

The first appointee is Nate Engle of Lansing, who will serve a term from March 5, 2026 through August 11, 2028. He succeeds Joe Jones, who resigned from the board last month.

Engle currently serves as director of community engagement for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. His professional background includes leadership and management positions in the public, private, and NGO sectors. He has served in the administrations of two Michigan governors, and in between, spent the better part of two decades directing food manufacturing, food security, municipal management, and economic growth initiatives in Africa and Central Asia.

Engle earned a Master of Public Administration at Grand Valley State University, a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from Michigan State University, and he holds several technical certificates from U.S. and European institutions. Engle is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, an Eisenhower Fellow, and a lifelong member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He and his wife, Ludie, are parents to two young children.

"Oakland University is a world-class institution with global reach and demonstrated success moving the needle for a better Michigan," Engle said after learning of his appointment. "I'm excited to join the OU community and contribute to the university's future achievements and services."

The second appointee is Shelley Davis Boyd of East Lansing. Her 8-year term will commence on August 12, 2026, and expire on August 11, 2034. She will succeed Dennis Muchmore, whose term expires on August 11, 2026.

Davis Boyd is the chief operations officer of M3 Group and previously served as director of communications, marketing, and public relations for the Michigan Association of School Boards. Additionally, she serves on the East Lansing Library Board of Trustees.

Davis Boyd holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baker College and a Master of Business Administration from Northwood University.

"I am honored to be appointed to this position and grateful to Governor Whitmer for the opportunity to serve and support Oakland University, its faculty, students and community," Davis Boyd said.

"As a single mother who graduated college by working full time, studying full time and raising a child full time, I know firsthand the transformative power of education in creating pathways that can change the trajectory of a person's life. I look forward to joining the Oakland University family and supporting its mission, so more individuals have access to life-changing education and opportunities."

Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz said of the appointments, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with two individuals with such broad and impactful professional experience, as well as such a deep commitment to public service. I am confident that both will make highly valued contributions to Board of Trustees oversight."