Dr. Gilda Gely – West Michigan 25 most influential Latinos
Dr. Gilda Gely
Executive Vice President for Academics and Provost
Davenport University
Dr. Gilda Gely has been at the forefront of many academic initiatives to advance West Michigan’s Latino workforce.
As provost and executive vice president at Davenport University, she was responsible for creating Casa Latina, a bilingual education program offering instruction in Spanish and English for 12 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
“This initiative aimed to increase degree completion rates among Spanish-speaking residents, enhancing their economic mobility,” she said. “By raising $2 million from local corporations, private foundations and government agencies, Casa Latina also developed a pipeline of Spanish-speaking employees, meeting regional labor market needs. This program will directly contribute to economic growth and job creation within the Latino community.”
She also spearheaded development of the First-Generation Initiative at Davenport University, addressing academic, emotional and financial challenges faced by first-generation students.
At Grand Rapids Community College, she supervised the creation of new credit and non-credit programs in alternative energy, health care and renewable energy technology, with the goal of opening career pathways for underprepared and displaced workers, many of whom are Latino.
Gely said her passion for creating educational opportunities for marginalized people comes from experiences at Hispanic-serving institutions in Puerto Rico and Cambridge College in Massachusetts.
“Supporting professional development has been a cornerstone of my leadership,” she said. “I have mentored many women and Latinas professionally and personally, fostering growth and empowerment within the community.”
She also has served as a board member of the West Michigan Hispanic Center and the West Michigan Council for Arts and Technology, where she has advocated for policies and programs that further educational opportunities, cultural enrichment and workforce development for West Michigan Latinos.
“Encouraging diverse voices and challenging the status quo has led to innovative solutions,” she said. “Speaking up requires courage. Courage is a practiced skill.”
