Board of Control Members

Ron Bacon
Secretary

Term Expires: 07/21/2031

Ron Bacon, of East Lansing, is Senior Reimbursement Manager with Axsome, a biotechnology and pharmaceutical company. He is also the former mayor of East Lansing. He has a long history in sales and case management for other medical firms, including Genentech, Baxter Bioscience, and Pfizer. He is also a board member of the MLK Commission of Mid-Michigan and the Nonprofit Network of Jackson. Bacon holds a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and sociology and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University.

John D. Cherry, Jr.

Term Expires: 07/21/2027

Lt. Governor John D. Cherry is the 62nd Lt. Governor of the State of Michigan and a seasoned leader who has successfully worked to ensure that state government is efficient and shares Michigan's priorities. He has more than 20 years of service in the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative, State Senator and Minority Leader. Cherry has received many awards and honors and was named the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC). He also served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwest Higher Education Compact and was a past chair of the International Great Lakes Commission. As a legislator, Cherry focused on the issues that were most important to Michigan citizens - families, the quality of life in Michigan, the environment and Michigan's great outdoors. He has authored and co-sponsored several milestone Michigan laws dealing with workers' rights, environmental protection and conservation. Cherry received a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1973 and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, Flint in 1984. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Saginaw Valley State University and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Central Michigan University. Education: University of Michigan, B.A., 1973; University of Michigan- Flint, MPA, 1984; Saginaw Valley State University, Honorary Law Degree; Central Michigan University, Honorary Doctor of Public Service.

Heather Gallegos
Treasurer

Term Expires: 07/21/2031

Heather Gallegos, of Essexville, is the director of North America North Communications and Community Relations for The Dow Chemical Company. She serves on the boards of the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, where she serves as immediate past chair, Delta College Foundation, where she serves as vice chair, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, where she serves as chair, McLaren Bay Region Hospital, Midland Business Alliance, Saginaw Club, Saginaw Valley State University Board of Fellows, and a trustee at Russel & Maxine Smith Charitable Trust. At the state level, she has recently joined the McLaren Health Care Corporation Board of Directors and the Business Leaders for Michigan Marketing Peer Group. Gallegos holds an associate degree in liberal arts from Delta College and a Bachelor of Science in sociology from Saginaw Valley State University.

Vanessa Guerra
Vice Chair

Term Expires: 07/21/2029

Vanessa Guerra, of Saginaw, currently serves as the Saginaw County Clerk. She previously served as the State Representative for the 95th House District and as a trustee with Bridgeport Charter Township. Ms. Guerra holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Studies and Latino Studies from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She is a member of the Michigan Association of County Clerks, YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region Board, and Saginaw TempleArts Board.

Shaun Johnson

Term Expires: 07/21/2033

Shaun Johnson, of DeWitt, is the executive vice president of business transformation and chief legal and administrative officer for Consumers Energy. Johnson previously served as the director of Dykema Gossett’s energy industry group. Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science from Saginaw Valley State University and a Juris Doctor from the Michigan State University College of Law. In 2022, Johnson was awarded the distinguished alumni award by the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. Debasish Mridha

Term Expires: 07/21/2033

Dr. Debasish Mridha, MD, is a physician, educator, and peace activist. He completed his residency in Neurology and Fellowship in Neurophysiology at Wayne State University.  Dr. Mridha is the founder of Michigan Advanced Neurology Center (MANC) and serves as Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Central Michigan University College of Medicine.  He founded the Mridha International Institute of Peace and Happiness (MIIPH) and the Mridha Peace Path in Saginaw – initiatives promoting peace through education and civic engagement.  Dr. Mridha has authored thousands of inspirational quotes, poems, and essays. His works, including "Verses of Peace" and "Life is a Tall Tender Tree," have been internationally translated. He is finalizing his Universal Energy Theory of Consciousness (UETC) framework.  Through his philanthropic foundation, he has endowed several national awards, including the Mridha Spirit of Medicine Award through the American Medical Association Foundation, the Mridha Spirit of Neurology Award through the American Brain Foundation, the Mridha Spirit of Teaching Award at Central Michigan University, and the MIIPH Peace Award for global peace advocacy.  Dr. Mridha has served on the boards of the Saginaw Valley State University Foundation for nine years, the Michigan State Medical Society for nine years, and the American Medical Association Foundation.  As a board member at SVSU, he aims to uplift the university’s strategic vision, foster academic excellence, and expand opportunities for student success through service, scholarship, and community partnerships.  Dr. Mridha’s life is a testament to the transformative power of education, empathy, and purposeful living. Through his work at SVSU and beyond, he seeks to inspire a generation of students and leaders who are not only intellectually capable but also morally conscious and globally compassionate.  

Rajkumari M Wiener
Board Chair

Term Expires: 07/21/2027

Rajkumari “Raj” M Wiener is the founder of RWC Advocacy—a governmental affairs law firm. Prior to starting the firm, she served as Director of the Michigan Department of Public Health overseeing health policy, local health departments, human water supply, air, food and work environment quality. She was the Chief of the Bureau of Health Facilities regulating all licensed health care facilities and Certificate of Need approvals for medical services. She also served as Deputy Director of the Department of Licensing & Regulation (Now Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs), overseeing licensing of occupations, health care professions and the Insurance Bureau (now OFIR). She also worked on Capitol Hill for 9 years as a key legislative and political advisor to former United States Congressman Bob Traxler. Raj was admitted to the practice of law in 1984. Raj serves on the board of Sparrow Hospice House; she is a past local board member and founder of organizations promoting youth physical activity, hockey, lacrosse, and the majority owner of an NAHL Jr. Hockey team. Raj is a graduate and recipient of the distinguished alumni award of Saginaw Valley State University and the Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America. Education: Columbus School of Law, Juris Doctor, December 1983; Saginaw Valley State University, Bachelor of Science, Biology, 1973; Central Michigan University, Master of Sport Administration, 2014. Community Involvement: Williamston Sunrise Rotary; Williamston United Methodist Church; Community Volunteers for International Programs (MSU) Board; Sparrow Community Care Board; Sparrow Hospice Advisory Board; Saginaw Valley State University Foundation Board; Steiner Chorale.

Carl M. Williams

Term Expires: 7/21/2029

Carl M. Williams, of Saginaw, is the first vice president of the NAACP Saginaw Chapter. He previously served as the manager of public relations for the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative, as the State Representative for the 95th House District, and as a member of the Saginaw City Council and Mayor Pro-Tem. Prior to his election to public office, Mr. Williams was employed by Delphi Steering Systems as an Employee Assistance Program coordinator and manufacturing supervisor. Mr. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. He is a current member of the Black Leadership Advisory Council.

George Grant Jr

Ex-Officio
SVSU President

Mary Kowaleski
Secretary to the Board of Control
makowale@svsu.edu
(989) 964-2597 

Board of Trustees
boc@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4041