Western Michigan University alumna Dr. Danyelle Gregory has returned to the university in the role of Associate Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. She will lead a number of the university’s DEI initiatives.
Michigan native Dr. Danyelle Gregory has joined Western Michigan University as Associate Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion. She will be responsible for providing the university with leadership in the areas of diversity education planning, program development, and the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (or DEI) initiatives. In her new positions, she will also be responsible for managing and developing the assessment processes for various programs in order to gauge the impact of strategic DEI goals.
In an article posted on Western Michigan University’s website, Dr. Candy McCorkle, who serves as the Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, commented on the addition of Dr. Gregory to the team, saying, “We were fortunate to have very strong candidates for this position. Dr. Gregory was selected as the new AVP as a result of her experience with DEI in higher education, managing programs focused on improving the climate and culture for students and staff as well as working with faculty to ensure a sense of belongingness for students. We are excited to have her join our team.”
Dr. Gregory also spoke about coming into her new position, saying, “My ties with the University and experience leading inclusion work in various capacities make me excited to return to WMU in this new capacity. I very much appreciated the relationships I built with WMU faculty and staff and the support I received from higher education and student affairs faculty even as I progressed throughout my career.”
She also talked more specifically about some of the programs and work being done at the university, saying, “I am intrigued by the work that WMU is doing around diversity and inclusion, specifically the recommendations of the Racial Justice Advisory Committee, which resulted in the creation of this inaugural role. I am looking forward to working alongside Dr. McCorkle, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the campus community as we continue to make strides toward maintaining a truly inclusive environment. I believe that my experience with program development and assessment, along with creating processes to streamline DEI efforts, will be a great compliment to enhance the work already being done.”
Since beginning her career, Dr. Gregory has worked in a number of positions doing the work of creating and installing strategic initiatives and programs that operate to dismantle systems of oppression within the realm of higher education and the world at large.
Dr. Gregory’s most recent role prior to coming to Western Michigan University was serving as the director for the Office of Multicultural Student Services at Ferris State University, where she was in charge of leading the daily operations of the department as well as providing cultural awareness training and social justice initiatives around the campus.
She has also served in administrative roles at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, Ferris State University, and Kellogg Community College.
She earned her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Western Michigan University and went on to earn her Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University.
She looks forward to joining the faculty at Western Michigan University, saying, “I am excited to join Western Michigan University and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion team as they continue this important work. I look forward to contributing to an inclusive environment in which the entire campus community can thrive!”
More information about Western Michigan University can be found at the school’s website.