Philomena V. Mantella (born 1955) is the current president of

Grand Valley State University Grand Valley State University (GVSU, GV, or Grand Valley) is a public university in Allendale, Michigan. It was established in 1960 as Grand Valley State College. Its main campus is situated on approximately west of Grand Rapids. The universit ...

, in Allendale, Michigan. On January 22, 2019 she was elected by the

Board of Trustees to be that institution's fifth president. She is the first woman to serve in the position, succeeding Thomas Haas, who announced his retirement in 2018. Her term began July 1, 2019.

Education

Mantella earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in

social work Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being. Social work ...

from

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

, and her Ph.D. in college and university administration from

Michigan State University Michigan State University (Michigan State, MSU) is a public university, public Land-grant university, land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the fi ...

Career

Mantella's background includes broad strategic experience comprised from over 30 years in higher education administration, serving as an officer at many public and private universities throughout New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Massachusetts. As Senior Vice President and CEO for the Lifelong Learning Network at

Northeastern University Northeastern University (NU) is a private university, private research university with its main campus in Boston. Established in 1898, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs on its main campus as well as satellite campuses in ...

in Boston,Lifelong Learning Network
/ref> Mantella was responsible for leading the strategic planning, global market expansion, marketing, new business development, digital platforms, learner experience, and academic programs for serving 18,000 adult learners worldwide. In addition, she led and stewarded the development of Northeastern's global campuses as platforms for all university activity. She also oversaw broad portfolio, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels of enrollment management and student affairs programs in support of the institution's strong student-centered mission and rising position in the market. Northeastern University was in the top 40 of the '' U.S. News & World Report''s national university rankings during Mantella's time at the institution. From 1985 to 1989, Mantella was the Associate Dean for Enrollment Services at Ferris State University. Thereafter, she served in several vice president positions at Fairleigh Dickinson University,

State University of New York College of Optometry The State University of New York College of Optometry is a public school of optometry in New York City. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and was established in 1971 as result of a legislative mandate of New York. It ...

, and Pace University before her tenure at Northeastern University began in 2001. Mantella was approved to be the next president of Grand Valley State University in January 2019 by resolution. Mantella was appointed for a term of five years and will receive the usual and customary benefits associated with the office. Her salary will be $480,000 for the upcoming year. Her predecessor Thomas Haas' salary was $435,660 with an annual deferred annuity of $66,438.

Personal life

Mantella is married to attorney Robert Avery. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Mantella and her husband moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the Spring of 2019 accompanied by her mother.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mantella, Philomena V. Living people Michigan State University alumni Syracuse University alumni American academic administrators 1955 births Presidents of Grand Valley State University Northeastern University people