Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies

Hauenstein Mentors are a bridge from campus to the community.

They work with you to build your expertise and credibility.

They are a source of ideas and energy, stability and encouragement.

They've been in your shoes.

David Annis

Served as Grand Valley's department chairperson for Advanced Studies in Education.

Taught educational leadership and was a field representative for GV's Charter Schools.

Served as superintendent of Allendale and White Pigeon Schools.

Fred Antczak

Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University.

Taught and led at the University of Iowa; University of California, Berkeley; and University of Virginia.

Commentator on political rhetoric, with a B.A. from University of Notre Dame and M.A. and Ph.D. from University of Chicago.

Peggy Bishop

Partner for two decades of three-decade career with Beene Garter LLC. First woman ever in that role.

Leads team of nonprofit specialists.

Board volunteer with Quota International, YWCA, Girl Scouts, Grand Rapids Ballet Company, and Student Advancement Foundation.

Rosalynn Bliss

Director of residential services at D.A. Blodgett-St. John's; adjunct professor of social work at Grand Valley State University; and member of the Grand Rapids City Commission, serving the second ward.

Board member with the YMCA Corporate Board, Grand Rapids Youth Boxing Foundation, Friends of GR Parks, and Dyer-Ives Foundation.

Holds a B.A. in psychology and criminal justice from University of South Alabama, and an M.S.W. from Michigan State University.

Fred Bogaert

Member of the Peter Martin Wege Theatre, where he has been active in community theater since 1990.

Served in sales management for 3M, Inc.

Veteran of the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany during the outbreak of the Korean War.

David Brandsen

Holland Christian and Reformed Bible College graduate with auto industry and office equipment experience.

Partner at Fabri-Tech Inc., an apparel design and manufacturing company that distributes to large box retailers.

Partner at Stillwater Investments, a commercial real estate company.

Bill Brennan

Vice president general counsel for Bissell, Inc., where he has worked for the last ten years.

University of Michigan Law School grad and former partner at Dykema Gossett PLLC.

Enjoys running in the Fifth Third River Bank Run each year and spending time cycling and golfing.

Dev Butler

Graduate in biology from Rhodes College with an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Emory University.

Adjunct professor of public, nonprofit, and health administration; partner at THINC Consulting; and Mediator at Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan.

Saralyn Coupe

Vice president of investments for Sherwood & Coupe Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services Inc.

Plays piano and serves on the board of St. Cecelia's Music Center and the women's committee of Grand Rapids Symphony.

Holds a B.A. in economics from Albion College and M.B.A. from Northwestern University.

Kathy Crosby

CEO of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, a $27.5 million nonprofit serving eight counties.

Previously worked at Goodwill Industries International, outside the capital beltway, leading consultative services to 170 member organizations.

Holds a B.A. in business administration and M.A. in organizational leadership from Siena Heights University, and an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Maryland.

Kristen Derridinger

Finance director for the Kent County GOP, with experience running multiple state house campaigns.

Formerly a vice president and contract designer in the textile and furniture industries.

Holds a B.A. in marketing and sales from Davenport University, with coursework at Michigan State University in chemical engineering and business.

Mike Flanagan

Superintendent for public instruction, directing the Michigan Department of Education for seven years.

Previous experience as local and regional superintendent and executive director of statewide associations for public school superintendents.

Holds a B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and M.A. from Eastern Michigan University.

Nancy French

Communications director for University Development at Grand Valley State University.

Marketing strategist with experience in the private and public sectors, including Amway Corporation, Davenport University, CMU, and MSU.

Holds a B.A. in advertising from Michigan State University and M.S. in communication from Grand Valley State University.

Kyle Irwin

Active member of the philanthropic community in West Michigan.

Board member of the Dwelling Place, John Ball Park Zoo, Van Andel Institute Foundation, and YMCA.

Holds degrees from Michigan State University and Western Michigan University.

Kurt Kimball

Managing partner at Pondera Advisors, LLC, a leadership consultant practice, and consultant with ArtPrize.

Served the City of Grand Rapids for 35 years, 22 as city manager.

Holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Michigan.

K. V. Lacks

Manager of new domestics at Lacks Enterprises, Inc., where he previously served as buyer and human resources manager.

Board member for the St. Mary’s Doran Foundation and Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids.

Holds a B.S. from Indiana University, Bloomington.

Robert LaFave

Village manager of L'Anse, Michigan.

Prior experience in the cities of Greenville and Cedar Springs, and with AmeriCorps in Lansing.

Holds a B.A. from James Madison College at Michigan State University, and an M.P.A. from Grand Valley State University.

Theresa Mairn

Product marketing manager with Steelcase, Inc., with previous experience as disbursement manager for D&W Food Centers and in international finance with Haworth.

Serves on YWCA Board of Directors and active with Cystic Fibrosis Evening with the Stars, Grand Valley State University Young Leaders, Food Marketers Credit Union, and Forest Hills Public Schools, where her two children attend.

Holds a B.A. in accounting from Michigan State University and a M.A. in management from Aquinas College.

Todd Mairn

Market vice president at KForce, a $25 million professional staffing business where he has served since 1996.

Co-chairs the Cystic Fibrosis "Evening with the Stars," served on the board of directors of the Grand Rapids Children's Museum (2005-2011), and held key leadership positions with GRCM.

Holds a B.S. in liberal arts from Michigan State University, and enjoys an active family lifestyle and hectic kids sports schedule.

Jennifer Maxson

Practice group leader at Varnum Consulting, LLC, where she has served clients since 1996 including Kellogg's, University of Notre Dame, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Fifth Third Bank, and Spectrum Health.

Serves as a member of the Van Andel Institute’s J-Board, and active with the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and United Way.

Holds a B.S. in interpersonal communication from Grand Valley State University.

Mike McBreen

President of the Global Operations Group at Wolverine World Wide, Inc., where he has served for the last three years.

Previous executive experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Nike, and Furniture Brands International.

Holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University, and is a frequent public speaker and advocate for corporate social responsibility.

Mark Murray

President of Meijer, Inc., where he has served since 2006.

Previously president of Grand Valley State University (2001-2006); treasurer, budget director, and director of the Department of Management and Budget for the State of Michigan; and member of the Board of Education in the City of Detroit.

Holds a B.A. in economics and M.A. in labor and industrial relations from Michigan State University, and he was honored by Grand Valley in 2006 when it dedicated the Mark A. Murray Living Center.

Noreen Myers

Chair of the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees and attorney in private practice, specializing in employment and civil rights litigation.

Founding member of the Progressive Women's Alliance Board of Directors, and active in political campaigns since the mid-70s.

Holds a B.A. in political science from Grand Valley State University, a J.D. from Cooley Law School, and completed graduate work in political philosophy at Loyola University and Georgetown University.

Glenn Niemeyer

Worked for more than 30 years at Grand Valley State University as professor of history, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, provost, and finally to vice president of Academic Affairs.

Served on boards of trustees of Grand Valley State University, Calvin College, and LOVE, Inc.

Earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, and honored by Grand Valley in 2008 when it dedicated the Glenn A Niemeyer Learning and Living Center for the Honor's College.

Patrick Reagan

Director of the Downtown Development Authority and Main Street manager for the City of Portland, Michigan.

Prior experience as manager of the Main Street Program in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

Holds a B.S. in history and M.P.A. from Grand Valley State University, where he was also a Cook Leadership Fellow at the Hauenstein Center.

Mary Seeger

Worked for 40 years a professor and dean at Grand Valley State University, where she taught German and linguistics.

Author of critical works of detective fiction, and participant in a national organization of authors, editors, and critics called Sisters in Crime.

Served as president of the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council and member on the Board of Directors for the Women’s Resource Center.

Hilary Snell

Attorney specializing in estate planning for Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett LLP since 1959.

Served as a chair of Gerald R. Ford's last congressional reelection committee in 1972, and served on boards for several companies in the health care and finance industries.

Holds a B.A. from Colgate University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Deb Snow

Taught in the English and social studies departments at East Kentwood High School for forty years.

Coached her school's team to fifteen state championships in the national civics competition, "We the People: the Citizen and the Constitution."

Serves on several boards, leads the Emeritus Book Seminar at Aquinas College, and acts as legislative chair for the Advocates for Senior Issues.

Lucille Taylor

Practicing attorney in Michigan and visiting professor of law at Ave Maria School of Law in Naples, Florida.

Previous experience as chair of the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees, chief legal counsel to Michigan Governor John Engler, majority counsel to the Michigan Senate, minority counsel to the Michigan House, and legislative assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Holds a J.D. from George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.

Marilyn Titche

Active in real estate development and management, building HUD subsidized apartments and laundromats in the Greenville area.

Involved in family joint business ventures, and serves as a trustee for her family's foundation.

Active in Interfaith Dialogue, attends Temple Emanuel, and enjoys the arts, supporting the Grand Rapids Art Museum, Grand Rapids Public Museum, and Grand Rapids Literary Council.

Ron VanSteeland

Served in the finance and administration sector at Grand Valley State University for 35 years, retiring as vice president of finance and administration.

Honored by Grand Valley in 2009, which recognized his leadership on campus by dedicating the VanSteeland Living Center.

Serves on the board of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council and is a member of the Grand Rapids Public Safety Advisory Committee.

John Wardrop

Former president of Dake Corporation and Sparks Belting Company in the manufacturing industry, and a retired secondary school teacher and coach in Grand Rapids.

Serves on the board of Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids, part board member of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and chair of TEC 53 CEO roundtable.

Holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College.

Maribeth Wardrop

Vice president for Development at Grand Valley State University, serving on the university's Senior Management Team, Budget Committee, and Investment Advisory Committee.

Previous experience as director of Alumni Giving and Relations, director of Annual Funds, and vice president for Advancement at Aquinas College.

Holds a B.A. from Aquinas College, completed graduate work in management, and active in several professional and community organizations.

H. James Williams

Professor of accounting and dean of the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University.

Holds a B.S., M.B.A., and Ph.D. in accounting from North Carolina Central University, University of Wisconsin, and University of Georgia, respectively.

Also holds a J.D. and LL.M. from Georgetown University Law Center, and is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant.