Arlynn Dailey Tapped for Michigan’s First Dietetics and Nutrition Board, Bridging Health Innovation and Community in Detroit

Michigan State University’s Arlynn Dailey has been named to the newly established Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, a state body tasked with setting licensing standards for dietitian nutritionists. Appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Dailey will serve a term through June 2029, helping shape the future of nutritional practice across the state. As the community engagement and outreach administrator for Michigan State University’s Health Sciences and the College of Human Medicine in Detroit, Dailey bridges the university and the community.

Her work is focused on building genuine relationships based on trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to progress. She develops and implements external relations strategies that unite community leaders, students, alumni, industry partners, and university officials. The goal is to drive visibility and engagement that translates into meaningful impact.

A Detroit native, Dailey brings both personal passion and professional expertise to her work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Central Michigan University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in health and risk communication at Michigan State University. She is also a Certified Business Professional through the State of Michigan and was nominated in 2020 for Corp! Magazine’s Most Valuable Professional award.

Prior to her role at MSU, Dailey led special initiatives for the State of Michigan focused on workforce and economic development, equipping her with a deep understanding of the intersection between policy and community needs.

In 2024, she led MSU’s engagement efforts for the Future of Health project, a $3 billion development in Detroit’s New Center area. The ambitious initiative, a partnership with Henry Ford Health and the Detroit Pistons, aims to transform health care and education infrastructure in the city. Construction on the first phase begins in June.

The initiative’s central component was the city’s Community Benefits Ordinance process. Dailey coordinated MSU’s involvement, ensuring that local voices were heard and respected throughout the planning stages.

Her dedication to inclusive progress and public health was recently recognized at the state level. In early 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Dailey to the inaugural Michigan Board of Dietetics and Nutrition. The board will oversee licensing for dietitian nutritionists and work to expand access to nutrition care statewide. Her term runs through June 2029.

Healthcare has been a part of Dailey’s life since childhood.

“As a third grader, I was a latchkey kid who rode the bus after school to Henry Ford Hospital where my grandmother worked,” she said.

“From that experience, I saw there was a place for me in the health care field. That early exposure shaped my path.”

In her role at MSU and as a member of the board, she will continue to advocate for community-driven solutions.

Dailey is also a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit XLIII, a program designed to equip civic-minded professionals with the tools to lead change. That leadership is evident in her daily work, whether she’s facilitating community listening sessions, supporting university partnerships, or shaping public policy.

From city hall meetings to university planning sessions, Dailey consistently conveys the message that progress happens when people are heard, empowered, and included.

In Detroit, where the future of health care, education, and community development are increasingly intertwined, Dailey is playing a key role in shaping that future, one relationship at a time.

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good for 170 years. Through its work in Detroit and across the state, MSU continues to invest in bold ideas and dedicated leaders like Dailey, who are committed to creating a healthier, more connected Michigan.

“I’m excited to be working with like-minded individuals to help bring about progress and change in public health,” Dailey said.

“You need all hands on deck, and connection is very important. I want to be as helpful as I can be and make MSU proud.”