Meet our Staff
Joy Gianakura, Ed.D.
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Joy is the Associate Dean of the Seidman Student Academic Services office in the Seidman College of Business. In this role she oversees the operations and staff at the Seidman Center and Allendale offices. Joy has a BS in Education from CMU, and earned her MS in Higher Education from GVSU! In 2013 she earned her doctorate in higher education leadership from CMU. Dr. Gianakura has spent over 25 years in higher education and enjoys collaborating with faculty and assisting students in achieving success. She has worked at institutions such as Oakland University, James Madison University, Davenport University and GVSU (1995-2000) and returned in July, 2014. In her spare time she teaches higher education courses, is a Spinning instructor, and enjoys music, running and swimming.
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Tami Defouw
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Tami earned a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations and a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership both from Grand Valley State University. Before joining the Seidman College of Business, Tami served as an adjunct advisor in the Student Academic Success Center where she supported the Freshman Academy Program and international students. Tami has been a Michigander all her life but enjoys any and all opportunities to travel and explore the United States and beyond. As a pastime, she paints acrylics on canvas ever since she took an introductory art course. Baking is another of her hobbies, and her cake ball creation has won awards.
Shannon Zakalik
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Shannon earned her B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus in Mathematics from Saginaw Valley State University in 2013. After finishing her undergrad, Shannon began working in SVSU’s Office of Admissions while completing her M.A. in Public Administration with an emphasis in Student Affairs. Prior to joining the Seidman team, she worked as an Academic Advisor at Michigan State University. In her free time, Shannon enjoys camping, running, and enjoying all things Michigan.
Amy Schuster
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Amy earned her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Calvin University in 2009 and her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2012. Starting in her undergrad experience until now, Amy has worked in both career advising and academic advising roles. After graduating from GVSU, she spent quite a few years in Colorado working for various higher education institutions. After returning to her home state of Michigan, Amy joined the Seidman Undergraduate Programs team in early 2021. In her free time, Amy loves spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and anything that involves being near a lake.
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Jacki Jenkins
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jacki earned her B.A. in Social Studies Secondary Education with an emphasis in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. After finishing her undergrad, Jacki also completed a post-bachelor’s certificate in Paralegal Studies from Lansing Community College. After getting back into Secondary Education, Jacki went back to school for her M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Prior to joining the Seidman team, Jacki worked as an Academic Advisor and Instructor at Siena Heights University. In her spare time, Jacki enjoys playing softball, watching sports, traveling, singing, coaching tumbling and cheerleading, and enjoying the outdoors with her pups, friends, and family.
Kailee McDonough
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kailee earned her B.S. in Psychology from Western Michigan University in 2016. After finishing her undergrad, Kailee spent two years as a College Advisor through AmeriCorps at Hastings High School. This sparked her interest in Student Affairs, which led her to complete her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2020. After graduating from GVSU, she worked as an Academic Advisor at Central Washington University in the state of Washington. In her free time, Kailee loves camping, playing video games, baking, and spending time with her two cats, Frasier and Niles!
Kelly Boyd
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kelly earned both her B.S. in Exercise Science and her M. Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University. While completing her master’s degree, Kelly worked in Financial Aid and completed internships in Housing and Residence life at GVSU, and in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. From her time as an undergraduate until now, Kelly has worked in the Office of Student Life and in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at GVSU. In her free time Kelly enjoys weekends trips up north, going to the farmers market, attending workout classes, and spending time with friends and family.
Sandy Farley
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Sandy began her professional career in Residence Life at Grand Valley State University and has now returned as an advisor in the Seidman College of Business. She has a B.S. with majors in Psychology and Communication and a Master’s in Art in Counseling Education/Counseling Psychology, both from Western Michigan University. Before returning to GVSU, she worked at Ashland University, Baker College and Aquinas College in various capacities. Sandy has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys boating, camping, hiking and traveling to spend time with family and friends.
Molly Duimstra
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Molly earned her B.S. in Resource Development and Environmental Policy at Michigan State University. After graduating from MSU, she worked for the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico as a Park Ranger. After returning to her home state of Michigan,she began her career at GVSU in the School of Engineering in 2013 and has since joined the staff of Seidman Undergraduate Programs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family in northern Michigan, and walking her German Shepherd and Lab on the White Pine Trail.
Mary Lawrence
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Mary is one of the Graduate Assistants for Seidman Undergraduate Programs. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2022 with a B.S. in Public and Nonprofit Administration. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Mary spent a year as a College Advisor through AmeriCorps at Saugatuck High School. She is currently in the M.Ed of Higher Education CSAL program. In her free time, Mary enjoys going to the Holland Farmers Market, taking her dog Kody to the dog park, baking, and spending time with her family.
Jack Michaels
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns:
Jack is a graduate assistant advising for Business undergraduate programs. Jack earned his B.S. in Health and Exercise Science from Spring Arbor University in 2021. He is currently a first-year grad student in the College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL) program at GVSU. Jack enjoys being active by playing baseball, disc golf, yard games, and working out. He also loves enjoying Michigan summers at his family cottage on Lake Michigan, as well as taking weekend road trips to visit friends.