School of Planning, Design and Construction

Vicki McGhee, MSU landscape architecture class of 1982 and current alumni advisory board member, retired in January from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources after thirty-three years of public service and making a lasting impact on the recreational spectrum that the State of Michigan offers to citizens and visitors. Vicki retired as the Chief of Planning and Infrastructure for the Parks and Recreation Division which has the responsibility for planning, design, and construction oversight for Michigan’s 104 state parks and recreation areas, 19 harbors, and over 1,300 boating access sites. 

Beyond those responsibilities, Vicki and her team of landscape architects, engineers, and planners are also responsible for long range management plans, asset management, geographical information systems data sets, and several grant programs. Vicki served as a member of the division’s management team and as a liaison to the Michigan Waterways Commission and the State Park Advisory Committee. Over the course of her career, she was instrumental in supporting major policy and legislative changes such as the implementation of the Recreation Passport program which modified the state park entrance model to be associated with vehicle registration, creating a more sustainable stream of capital improvement funding. In addition, under Vicki’s leadership the Planning and Infrastructure Section incorporated Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) principals, expanded Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements with practices for people of all abilities, and accepted challenges like the State of Michigan leasing Belle Isle from the City of Detroit to become a state park. Earlier in her career Vicki’s team consisted of approximately 11 individuals responsible for an annual capital improvement budget between $2-4 million.  At the time of her retirement and through her leadership, the team had grown to over 20 professionals with an annual capital outlay budget of $20 million and overseeing the implementation of over $270 million of one-time state and federal funding to rebuild critical infrastructure and construct the newest state park in Flint. 

While Vicki has made an impact on the projects, programs, and policies, she’s also made a positive difference on the most important assets she was responsible for, her people. A few quotes and sentiments from those that had the opportunity to work with Vicki include:

“Vicki exemplified a well-respected and appreciated woman in an industry that, until recently, was predominately male.  During my 10 years working with her, she consistently stood firm in her beliefs and advocated for her staff in rooms we could not be in. She taught us to examine projects from every angle, to trust our gut, to ask the questions and allow a project to change direction if it needed to. She trusted her staff and built a solid foundation for us all to build from.  She’s been a great mentor, leader, and friend.”

“Vicki has been a consistent and calming presence in the DNR and Planning and Infrastructure Section for over 30 years. She really gave staff autonomy to do their job and was very supportive of success but also of failing fast. You never felt that you were not supported even when mistakes were made. She talked through it and discussed ways to improve in the future. She has really developed into a friend as well as my former manager.”

“Vicki was both a leader and a legend in the DNR. She left her fingerprint on both projects and people and we're proud of what she helped us accomplish as a team. She always approached challenges with professionalism, determination, and the "can do" attitude which has inspired me and others. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her.” 

Thank you Vicki for what you’ve done as a proud public servant for the State of Michigan! Enjoy the next chapter of your life and the adventures that await!