Shinsky to serve as interim dean

John Shinsky, longtime professor of education, will serve as interim dean of the College of Education beginning July 1. 

Shinsky is taking over for Elaine Collins, who was named president of Johnson State College in Vermont. A national search will be conducted to find a permanent replacement.

Shinsky has served as an educator for 40 years; he came to Grand Valley as an associate professor of education in 2001. Before coming to Grand Valley, he served as a special education teacher, director of Special Education, and area administrator in Lansing Public Schools.  

He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University. He was co-captain of the 1973 Michigan State football team, selected as a First Team Academic All-American football player and was given the President’s Award for leadership, academics and athletic performance. 

Shinsky has received many awards for his educational contributions. Among them are the Grand Valley State University Community Service Award and the Glen A. Niemeyer Academic Award for Excellence, Enthusiasm and Loyalty to Teaching, Scholarship and Service. Shinsky has also received the Cesar E. Chavez Humanitarian Award, Dick Letts Community Service Award and The Paul Harris Fellow for International Service from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

As a former orphan, Shinsky has committed his life to serving the needs of abandoned, neglected, abused and orphaned children. He and his wife, Cindy, are co-founders of Ciudad de los Niños, the City of Children Shinsky Orphanage in Matamoros, Mexico. The orphanage has served approximately 100 children since 2009, providing security, support, education, spirituality and leadership for the children in the home.