William Washington Ph.D.

Dr. William Washington, born and raised in Flint, is a Laker for a Lifetime. He returned to become the TRIO Student Support Services Director. Dr. Washington studied at Grand Valley State University for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees then went on to Eastern Michigan University for his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. Previously he worked as a Graduate Assistant in housing and worked his way up to an Assistant Director of housing, so he knows his way around GVSU. He believes in the 5 F’s: faith, family, finances, friends, and fraternity which is a reflection of his life. He is married with 3 children (one currently a Laker) and a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. Dr. Washington is a flourishing entrepreneur and co-owner of a local fitness center and has goals of owning his own restaurant. Everything in his life reflects his motto “I am not successful until I help the next person be successful.” His goals for TRIO SSS are to increase retention, persistence, and graduation by supporting all students, moreover, he has a special interest in African American male achievement.   

Tanisha Kuykendall

Tanisha Kuykendall is what Grand Valley likes to call a TRUE Laker for a Lifetime. She graduated twice from GVSU in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcasting and in 2017, a Masters of Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs and Leadership. Starting her career as a financial aid Counselor, Tanisha led FAFSA workshops on GVSU’s campus and in the community to prepare high school students for college. This past April she transitioned to TRIO Student Support Services at GVSU, which focuses on supporting first generation college students.

”Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” -William James

Tanisha is committed to hosting events and programs designed to help SSS students  in building academic, financial and life skills as well as explore their desired career possibilities.

Kristie Winslow

Kristie Winslow graduated with her Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and Writing from Grand Valley State University in 2021, with the distinction in writing and the research scholar designation. Within the writing department she wrote for the InWriting newsletter and was the layout editor for the 2021 edition of Fishladder. As an undergraduate she was involved with the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship as a Library Summer Scholar, a Student Ambassador and participated in the TRIO McNair Scholars Program. Prior to that, she received her Associates degree at Grand Rapids Community College. Before coming to GVSU Kristie worked in a wide range of positions, the most notable being as an interpreter of the hearing impaired.  Kristie’s aspirations in TRIO SSS and McNair are to assist students in persisting in higher education and encourage them to pursue research opportunities.