Tag Archives: leadership

Davenport University academic leaders among most influential Latinos in West Michigan

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(Courtesy, Vive Michigan)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Vive Michigan magazine has named Davenport University’s Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Gilda Gely and Executive Director of Casa Latina Carlos Sanchez to its list of 25 Most Influential Latinos in West Michigan for 2024.

 

The magazine states on its website, “The list is a celebration of the incredible contributions that Latinos have made to our state, and it serves as a reminder of the many ways in which we are shaping the future of Michigan. The individuals included on this list are role models who have made a significant impact in their communities and beyond, and they serve as an inspiration to us all.”

About Gilda Gely

Gilda Gely is a proven leader in higher education (Courtesy, Davenport U)

Gely is a proven leader in higher education. Prior to joining Davenport, she held leadership positions at Cambridge College in Massachusetts, Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College. Prior to that, she held academic roles at universities in her native Puerto Rico.

 

“I am honored to be part of this group of 25 esteemed leaders in the Latino community across Michigan,” Gely said. “The attention is on us for a moment because the work we do as a group will last into our collective future. I am grateful that Vive Michigan is committed to helping our community provide access to education and opportunities, so more Latinos are able to assume leadership positions across our state.”

 

Gely earned her Ph.D. in Spanish from the University of Illinois from Urbana-Champaign, her Master of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College and her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and Spanish from Kansas State University.

 

She has been in her current role at Davenport for more than five years. She spearheaded the creation of Casa Latina at Davenport, a new online bilingual initiative that enrolled its first students this fall.

Sanchez came on board to lead the unique degrees program.

About Carlos Sanchez

Carlos Sanchez worked diligently to bring the first students to Casa Latina (Courtesy, Davenport U)

“This has been such an exciting year launching Casa Latina, and now this special honor,” Sanchez said. “I admire my colleagues on the list and look forward to continuing our good work to improve the lives of Latinos in our community. Thank you to Vive Michigan for this recognition.”

 

Sanchez earned a Master of Arts in Design from Kendall College and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from Davenport University.

 

“I am proud that two of Davenport’s leaders have been named among the most influential Latinos in our community,” said Pres. Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D. “Gilda and Carlos are tremendous leaders at the university and in the larger community. Provost Gely brings her talent and energy to the university every day and has been instrumental in our strategic planning and the design and development of new degrees, including Casa Latina.

 

“Carlos, as the leader of this new innovative program, continues to work diligently as our first students in Casa Latina have just started classes. They both deserve this honor given by Vive Michigan for their work in education that will pay dividends for years to come.”

 

Before joining Davenport, Sanchez led initiatives at Ferris State University and spent time as the executive director of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He serves on numerous boards, including those of the Grand Rapids Economic Club and Trinity Health.

 

Gely has also served on numerous boards, including the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the World Affairs Council. She was honored in 2011 with the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award by the Michigan ACE Network.

Gala recognition

Awardees will be recognized at an Oct. 10 gala in Grand Rapids. See here for event and registration information. 

(Courtesy, Vive Michigan)

Landmark conference to celebrate Betty Ford’s legacy as First Lady

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First Lady Betty Ford (Supplied)



By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


A free conference commemorating the enduring influence of first ladies in American history will be held at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on Friday, April 26 at 2:15 p.m. Titled “In Celebration of Betty Ford’s 50th Anniversary as First Lady,” the conference will feature a special focus on the remarkable contributions of Betty Ford.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, in partnership with the First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE) and American University School of Public Affairs, are joining together to host this free public event.

National experts and enlightening conversations

The half-day event is FLARE’s first national conference. It will feature two panels and focus on Betty Ford’s leadership as first lady.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum (Supplied)

National experts on First Ladies will include Susan Ford Bales, daughter of President and Betty Ford; Anita McBride, second term chief of staff for Laura Bush; and other celebrated women who have published books on first ladies.

Attendees can expect enlightening conversations about the pivotal roles Betty Ford and other first ladies play in our nation’s history.

A pioneer of First Ladies

“We remember Betty Ford as the pioneer who started the systematic academic study of First Ladies,” said Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. “We are proud to host the 40-year commemoration of a great event that took place right here on the Ford stage in Grand Rapids, Michigan.”

This conference builds upon the legacy of the historic 1984 conference, convened and moderated
by Mrs. Ford herself, which explored the multifaceted responsibilities and impacts of first ladies.

“Hosting the FLARE conference underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration, empowering women’s voices and honoring the lasting legacy of the indomitable Betty Ford,” said Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.


FLARE serves as the primary association to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach among scholars, institutions, first ladies’ staff, biographers, archivists, journalists, and public historians interested in research and education about the lasting legacies of U.S. First Ladies.

“FLARE is honored to host its first national conference with our esteemed partners, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum, the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, and American University’s School of Public Affairs,” said FLARE President Nancy Kegan Smith.

“This landmark event brings together an accomplished group of first ladies’ scholars, family, staff and the public to commemorate Betty Ford’s leadership, her groundbreaking conference on first ladies in 1984 and the important contributions of First Ladies.”

A celebration of groundbreaking leadership

The conference will feature national experts, including:

  • Susan Ford Bales, Author and daughter of President Gerald R. and Betty Ford.
  • Diana Carlin, Professor Emerita of St. Louis University. She is co-author of U.S. First Ladies:
    Making History and Leaving Legacies     and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s
    History-Making Women    .
  • Brooke Clement, Director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum.
  • Dr. Stacy Cordery, Professor of History, Iowa State University, Author, and Bibliographer.
  • Myra Gutin, Professor Emerita of Communication at Rider University. She is the author of The
    President’s Partner: The First Lady in the Twentieth Century     and Barbara Bush: Presidential
    Matriarch    .
  • Lisa McCubbin Hill, Journalist and author of Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor,
    Trailblazer    , and co-author of Mrs. Kennedy and Me; Five Presidents: My Extraordinary Journey with
    Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Ford    ; and My Travels with Mrs. Kennedy.
  • Alison Jacknowitz, Interim Dean of the School of Public Affairs at American University and
    Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy.
  • Anita McBride, Executive in Residence at American University, School of Public Affairs and
    Director of the First Ladies Initiative, and second term Chief of Staff to Laura Bush. She is co-author
    of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and Leaving Legacies and Remember the First Ladies: The
    Legacies of America’s History-Making Women    .
  • Nancy Kegan Smith, Former Director of the Presidential Materials Division at the National
    Archives and Records Administration. She is co-author of U.S. First Ladies: Making History and
    Leaving Legacies     and Remember the First Ladies: The Legacies of America’s History-Making Women.
  • Sheila Rabb Weidenfeld, Mrs. Ford’s Press Secretary, an Emmy-award-winning television
    producer, diplomat, and Chair of the C&O Canal Commission. She is the author of the book, First
    Lady’s Lady    .

*Seating is limited. Registration is open to the public until April 23 or until the event is filled.

Kentwood woman accepted for national philanthropy program

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Johngerlyn “Jonse” Young

By Roberta F. King

Grand Rapids Community Foundation

 

Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently announced that Director of Philanthropic Services Johngerlyn “Jonse” Young, CAP, has been selected to participate in the Council on Foundations’ 2017 Career Pathways program. This intensive, year-long leadership development program is designed to foster diverse talent and excellence among the philanthropic sector’s senior executives. Participants will graduate from the program with the knowledge, experience, and professional networks needed to be more effective in their current roles and more deliberate in their contributions to the field of philanthropy more broadly, positioning them to compete successfully for senior-level foundation positions.

 

“We’re honored and excited that Jonse was selected for the Career Pathways program. Her leadership skills have always been evident here at the Community Foundation and we’re pleased that she’ll have the opportunity to be involved nationally,” said Diana Sieger, president of Grand Rapids Community Foundation.

 

The Council is committed to a diverse and inclusive agenda for the field of philanthropy. Career Pathways is just one program in a suite of activities offered by the Council that is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through the Career Pathways program, the Council seeks to increase the number of candidates from diverse backgrounds in the leadership pipeline and strengthen the capacity of the philanthropic sector to grow and retain diverse talent.

 

Young will participate in virtual and in-person learning, networking events and career training facilitated by expert faculty representing senior executives and trustees in the field of philanthropy as well as experts from other sectors.

 

“This was an extraordinarily competitive year for the program, and the 2017 Career Pathways cohort is truly outstanding” said Council president and CEO Vikki Spruill. “These 24 individuals are remarkably talented and have shown themselves to have a deep commitment to the principals of diversity, equity, and inclusion and a calling to be of service to the field of philanthropy. Career Pathways will prepare them to be the next generation of leaders who will drive the sector’s efforts to improve lives and build vibrant communities.”

City of Wyoming Announces 2014 Citizens Academy

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Wyoming Seal by Erin Nemastil

The City of Wyoming is accepting applications for participation in the 2014 Citizens Academy – a unique opportunity for residents to learn about the City of Wyoming government including how it works and how it impacts neighborhoods. Residents will gain knowledge that will help promote leadership in the community while City administrators gather feedback to consider when making decisions that impact Wyoming residents.

 

This four-week course will take place on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. from March 18 through April 8. Classes will be held in various locations across the city including City Hall, the Department of Public Safety Building and the City Public Works Facility. Each class will focus on specific areas of City operation. Participants will learn from and make connections with City of Wyoming subject-matter experts including Mayor Jack Poll, City Manager Curtis Holt, Director of Public Safety James Carmody and others.

 

Topics will include:

• Tuesday, March 18 – City Administration

• Tuesday, March 25 – Public Safety

• Tuesday, April 1 – Public Works and Utilities

• Tuesday, April 8 – Community Services

• Monday, April 21 – Recognition Ceremony

 

“Graduates” of the Citizens Academy will receive a certificate of completion and be recognized at the April 21 City Council Meeting.

 

Interested residents should contact Jennifer Ballard to RSVP by phone at 530-7272 or by email at ballardj@wyomingmi.gov. Include your name, address, phone number and email address. For further information, call the City of Wyoming at 530-7272, or visit the City website at www.wyomingmi.gov. You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CityofWyoming, and on Twitter @WyomingCityHall.