Hello, my name is Julie Maday and I am campaigning to earn your vote for a position on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself and explain why I am the best candidate for this position.

I live in Novi and have been married to my husband David, an MSU alumnus, for 29 years. We have spent the last three decades supporting the university, attending countless events on campus, and are the proud parents of Blake (MSU Class of 2023) and Samantha (MSU Class of 2026). Needless to say, we are deeply tied to Michigan State and its community, despite my own college diploma from the University of Michigan-Dearborn (1993).

Throughout my time in Novi, I have served the City in a variety of different capacities, including as a former City Councilwoman, former Planning Commission member, and current Economic Development Committee member. With both children having attended Novi schools, I’ve spent many hours volunteering for and advancing the collective interests of Novi Community School District.

I also recently became a breast cancer survivor, from which I realized that each of us have limited time, in this world, to truly make a difference. The uncertainty of that experience, and my second chance at life, is one of the reasons I chose to embark on this campaign adventure. Should I be granted the opportunity to serve on the Board of Trustees, I would focus my tenure on the following items:

1. Re-introducing a culture of accountability and transparency.

2. Publicly releasing all documents related to the Larry Nassar scandal.

3. Supporting women in sports.

4. Embracing diversity of thought and rejecting cancel culture.

5. Emphasizing education, not indoctrination.

6. Problem solving through critical thought and practical solutions.

7. Ensuring affordable tuition for all Michigan families.

8. Prioritizing mental and physical health of students.

Michigan State University is one of the many treasures of our state, and is deserving of an equally capable Board of Trustees. Unfortunately, that is not the case with our current Board, which has devolved into perpetual chaos and controversy. Over the past decade, numerous high-profile mistakes have cost the university (and the Michigan taxpayer) hundreds of millions of dollars, resulted in what seems like a perpetual cycle of bad press for MSU, and have indirectly diminished the value of our kids’ accomplishments.

Candidly, MSU needs a new Board of adults willing to make peace with past mistakes and able to effect positive change. With my candidacy, I aim to usher in this new era of accountability and transparency for all past, present, and future Spartans.