Gilda Gely, Ph.D. 

Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost 

Dr. Gilda Gely is a proven leader in higher education. Her accomplishments include leading efforts for strategic planning, design and development of proposed and new academic degrees and other academic initiatives. She also has a proven track record of advancing partnerships with other educational institutions including community colleges and public school systems.

Before joining Davenport University, Dr. Gely served as the provost and vice president for academic and student affairs for Cambridge College in Massachusetts. Gely also served as executive vice president at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). Additionally, Gely served as interim dean of academic affairs at the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, and has held positions as the vice chancellor and director of the languages department at the Universidad del Este, Carolina, in Puerto Rico. 

Gely has held numerous leadership roles within the community, including the Board of Art and Museum Commissioners for the City of Grand Rapids, the World Affairs Council and the WMCAT. She currently serves on the Grand Rapids Public Museum board and the West Michigan Hispanic Center.