EAST LANSING, Mich. — East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas announced today the appointment of new East Lansing City Clerk Jennifer Shuster.
Shuster will be stepping into the role of City Clerk Marie Wicks, who will be moving on to a new job opportunity with the State of Michigan Bureau of Elections.
Shuster comes to the City of East Lansing from the Ingham County Clerk’s Office, where she has served as the chief deputy county clerk since December 2014. Prior to that role, she served in the same office as an election/clerk coordinator from April to December 2014 and as a recording secretary from October 2013 to April 2014. Shuster has also served on the Leslie City Council since December 2009 and is serving in her first year as mayor. Shuster holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University and she is a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator through Election Center’s Professional Education Program.
Shuster is also certified by the Michigan Secretary of State to administer elections and training sessions for election workers in the State of Michigan and she is a member/affiliate of the Michigan Municipal League, the Michigan Association of Mayors and the Michigan Women in Municipal Government.
“As a graduate of MSU, East Lansing has always held a special place in my heart. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as the new East Lansing city clerk and I look forward to working alongside the dedicated staff at the City of East Lansing,” said Shuster. “Marie Wicks has been an inspiration to me since I began working in elections at Ingham County. She leaves behind a high level of excellence that I will strive to maintain.”
Wicks has been a dedicated City of East Lansing employee for 12 years and has served in the capacity of East Lansing city clerk since August 2011. In this important role, she has administered 16 successful elections, held several training sessions for election workers, served as the City’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) coordinator and overseen all other City Clerk’s office operations. Wicks has also actively worked to encourage students in the community to register to vote and participate in local elections as a member of MSUvote.
“Marie Wicks has been a hard-working, dedicated employee and she has certainly left her mark on the City of East Lansing. While it is bittersweet to see her go, we wish her all the best in her new role with the State of Michigan Bureau of Elections,” said East Lansing City Manager George Lahanas. “We are excited to welcome Jennifer Shuster, who brings with her a wealth of experience and education. We are confident that she will be an asset to the organization and that the exemplary work of the City Clerk’s office will continue on with her at the helm.”
“I have greatly appreciated the professional opportunities afforded me during my 12 years with the City of East Lansing, particularly my more than six years as city clerk. Elections are the hallmark of our democracy and I look forward to providing training and assistance to election officials in my next venture,” said East Lansing City Clerk Marie Wicks. “I have no doubt that this community will be well served by my capable and highly competent successor, Jennifer Shuster, and I'm sure she'll hit the ground running.
Wicks’ last day with the City of East Lansing is this Friday, Jan. 12. Shuster’s first day with the City of East Lansing will be Wednesday, Jan. 17.