Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointments of Trina Scott of Southfield and Reverend Joseph “Joe” Jones of Grand Rapids to the Oakland University Board of Trustees. Both Scott and Jones have been appointed to eight-year terms that will run through August 2028. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Board of Trustees, Tina Govan Scott, Trina Scott, Joseph Jones, Joe Jones, Trustees, OU Board
September 11, 2020
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the appointments of Trina Govan Scott of Southfield and Reverend Joseph “Joe” Jones of Grand Rapids to the Oakland University Board of Trustees.
Both Scott and Jones have been appointed to eight-year terms that will run through August 2028. Their appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
They replace trustees Ric DeVore and Marianne Fey, whose service to the Board ended on August 11, 2020.
"I want to congratulate Trina and Joe on their appointments and share that I look forward to working with them to strengthen Oakland University's already highly respected reputation," said Tonya Allen Chair of the Board of Trustees. "Both have tremendous talent and professional experience, as well as deep dedication to Oakland, and I have no doubt they will provide the Board of Trustees invaluable perspective and guidance.”
Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz added, “We greatly appreciate the expertise, insight and dedication of Ric (DeVore) and Marianne (Fey), and are thankful for their years of service. I am also looking forward to working with our new trustees, Trina and Joseph. As OU alumni, they bring unique, first-hand experiences of our university. Their professional backgrounds, proven talents and compassion will be vital in guiding our campus community for the foreseeable future.”
Scott is the Chief Diversity Officer at Quicken Loans and the Rock Family of Companies. Under Scott’s guidance, Quicken Loans is cultivating an inclusive environment along with attracting diverse candidates which are business priorities and bottom-line imperatives. Prior to joining Quicken Loans in 2017, Scott was with Ernst & Young as an assistant director, managing diversity and inclusion and then corporate responsibility programs.
As an alumna of the School of Business Administration (Finance ’96), former member of the OU women’s basketball team and a member of the Oakland University Alumni Association (OUAA) Board, Scott has been long engaged at Oakland. She presented a keynote address during OU’s Spring 2019 commencement ceremonies and was a featured speaker for the Alumni Association’s award-winning Leadership OU program, helping connect upperclassman students with alumni mentors and industry leaders. Scott’s service to the Board of Trustees will add to her ability to make an even bigger impact on OU’s campus.
Scott serves as a board member for the Midnight Golf Program, Inforum, and the Rocket Giving Fund, is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee and is a former board member of the Detroit Police Athletic League. Her husband, Samino Scott II, is a two-time OU alumnus (MKT ’97, MBA ’01).
Jones grew up as the youngest of nine children on the East side of Detroit. He has served as the Second Ward City Commissioner since 2016 and has been President and CEO of the Grand Rapids Urban League since 2011. He is also co-chair of the Urban Core Collective. Through the Urban League, he leads an organization which promotes economic empowerment and civil rights for minority communities. He previously served as president and CEO of E.E. Milestone & Associates, managing partner at Strategic Communications Group, LLC., and public relations and marketing manager for Construction Trades Subcontracting, Inc.
Jones currently serves on the boards of Mercantile Bank of Michigan, Experience Grand Rapids, Spectrum Health Hospital Group and many others. Jones is also an ordained clergy member, currently serving as assistant pastor with the Brown-Hutcherson Ministries in Grand Rapids.
Jones is a 1994 graduate of Oakland University, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Communication Arts. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Ministry Leadership from Cornerstone University.
The next Board of Trustees formal session is scheduled for October 12, 2020 at 2 p.m.
About the Oakland University Board of Trustees:
Oakland University is governed by an eight-member Board of Trustees appointed by the governor to serve eight-year terms. The board provides general supervision of the university, including control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds. The board also appoints the university president, as well as the secretary to the board and treasurer.