Dean of Students

Wayne Gersie

Wayne Gersie

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  • Vice President for Engagement and Belonging
  • Research Assistant Professor, Psychology and Human Factors
  • PhD, Workforce Education and Development, The Pennsylvania State University
  • MEd, Counselor Education, The Pennsylvania State University
  • BS, Exercise and Sports Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University

Biography

Wayne Gersie serves as the Vice President for Engagement and Belonging at Michigan Technological University. Since assuming the role in November 2020, Gersie has provided critical vision and strategic leadership for diversity, equity, inclusion, and sense of belonging (DEIS) initiatives.

In his capacity, Gersie collaborates with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners, to advance the University's commitment to DEIS. His responsibilities involve communicating the value of DEIS for scholarship, research, and overall performance–coaching leaders in becoming culturally proficient, forming partnerships with minority-serving institutions, leading training programs, and providing counsel on strategic DEIS issues.

Gersie has secured over $12 million in external grant funding as Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator for programs supporting underrepresented students in STEM. His key achievements include developing the University's first DEIS strategic plan, expanding partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority-Serving Institutions, and the University's successful application for a $1.3 million Ronald E. McNair Scholars grant from the US Department of Education.

Before joining Michigan Tech, Gersie served as Assistant Research Professor and Chief Diversity Officer at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory. He is also the founder of the diversity consulting firm Oasis Strategic Consulting LLC. Gersie earned his PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State, with an emphasis on Human Resources. Additionally, he holds an MEd in Counselor Education from Penn State and certificates from Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership Education, Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Center for Creative Leadership.

Gersie's commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond policy, as he actively fosters collaborations, mentors leaders, and communicates the profound impact of DEIS initiatives on the University's overall excellence.