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Keiara B. Gladney serves as Assistant Director of Faculty, Southwest Michigan, at Grand Valley State University. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Michigan-Flint and completed her undergraduate studies at Wayne State University. In this administrative role within GVSU's OMNi regional campus operations, Gladney focuses on academic programming, community engagement, and partnership development. She manages strategic initiatives and cultivates collaborative relationships with area businesses to support work-based learning programs, contributing to educational opportunities for working adults through stackable credentials, online graduate programs in computing fields, and K-12 initiatives in Battle Creek and Southwest Michigan. Her work supports admissions, enrollment, academic advising, career exploration, and financial aid access at partner locations such as Kellogg Community College, Jackson College, and Southwestern Michigan College.
A dedicated professional with extensive experience, Gladney previously worked as Youth Development and Community Engagement Manager at Goodwill Industries of Central Michigan's Heartland, where she designed and implemented impactful career exploration programs, led successful summer youth initiatives, and applied expertise in operations management, strategic planning, and program evaluation to align with organizational goals. She served as a key strategic partner with Grand Valley State University in the Battle Creek Central High School Educational Transformation initiative, excelling in industry engagement, high school outreach, and leading impactful programs. Her innovative approach demonstrates dedication to excellence and passion for empowering others by building and strengthening partnerships with business and academic leaders across the region. Gladney has earned recognition including a Michigan Emmy Award in 2009 and Certified Tourism Ambassador status from the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce in 2018.