Dr. Vélez has spent over 23 years serving students who seek to transform their lives through higher education. He currently serves as Associate Vice President for Admissions and Recruitment at Grand Valley State University, where he provides strategic leadership for undergraduate, transfer, graduate, and international recruitment, admissions operations, and student-facing enrollment initiatives. His work advances the university’s enrollment priorities through data-informed strategy, access- and equity-centered practices, and high-impact student engagement.

Across his career, Dr. Vélez has held senior leadership roles spanning enrollment management, student affairs, and student success across a wide range of institutional contexts, including public four-year universities, Minority Serving Institutions, a private Historically Black College and University, and a community college. This breadth of experience informs his approach to building inclusive enrollment strategies, strengthening student pathways, and aligning operational excellence with institutional mission and student outcomes.

Dr. Vélez earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Culture, Policy, and Society,  a Master of Science in Student Personnel Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts in English. He is an active member of NACAC and a recipient of multiple professional honors, including system-level and distinguished alumni awards recognizing sustained leadership and service in higher education.