Sharalle Arnold has been involved in early childhood education since 1993 when she first began her educational career at California State University, Chico. After graduating from Chico State with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, she went on to earn a Master of Education degree at Washington State University in 2001, along with a teaching certificate for grades K-8. Sharalle has worked as a preschool teacher, kindergarten enrichment program coordinator and teacher and substitute teacher in Pullman school district.

In 2004, Sharalle joined the Grand Valley community as the Assistant Director of the Children’s Center. During that time she focused on improving the university’s climate and cultural awareness by acting as an InterGroup Dialog Facilitator, participating in the Healing Racism training and serving as a member of the GVSU Intercultural Committee.

She has participated in numerous professional organizations such as the American Association for University Women, Future Teachers of Color, ACE Network and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Currently, Sharalle is the Affiliate Representative for the West Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Connie Dang dedicated her professional career to education. Her career in higher education at GVSU has spanned over almost two decades in various capacities including human resources, affirmation action, university counsel and currently the Office of Multicultural Affairs. At GVSU, Connie also serves as advisor of the Asian Student Union and Delta Phi Lambda; advisory board of the Inclusion and Equity Division Advisory Board; vice chair of the Kutsche Office of Local History; advisory council of the WGVU Engage. Connie was appointed by the Governor to serve as a trustee and commissioner of the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. In the community, she serves as advisory council of the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council of Varnum and an investment council of the Heart of West Michigan United Way.

Connie earned a bachelor of science at Western Michigan University and a masters degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University. She is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, national honor society for the field of public affairs and public administration and an honorary member of the Omicron Delta Kappa Society.

Troy Farley has worked almost exclusively with students, alumni and faculty from the Seidman College of Business since joining Career Services in 2004. He is particularly well suited for this role, after 14 years of successful experience in the private sector and maintaining strong ties with employers throughout the region.

Prior to joining Career Services, Troy served as vice president of business development for Archway Marketing Services, where he worked with some of the most recognized consumer product companies in the United States, including Fuji, 3M, Rubbermaid and Target.

Troy hails from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration with a business minor from Grand Valley State University.

Marlene Kowalski-Braun has worked in higher education for the past 20 years and began at GVSU in 1996, she is currently the Assistant Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Director of the Women’s Center.   Kowalski-Braun is involved in a variety of higher education associations. Within the National Student Personnel Association (NASPA), she served on the Center for Women and is the past chair of the National Knowledge Community Chair for Women in Student Affairs (WISA). Outside of NASPA, she was a member of the advisory council for Women’s Centers through the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA) and is the outgoing state coordinator of the Michigan American Council on Education (ACE) Network for Women leaders in Higher Education. 

Marlene has received professional honors including the GVSU's Maxine Swanson and Commitment to Diversity Awards and the NASPA National Mid-Level Professional Award. In the community, she serves on the boards of Project Blueprint for United Way, ATHENA International and ATHENA Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and BLEND (an outlet for young professionals of color to learn, network, grow and become engaged in the Grand Rapids community).

Marlene earned her bachelor’s degree at Central Michigan University, her master’s degree from Ball State University, and is currently working on her doctorate through Western Michigan University.

Diana Pace is the Associate Dean of Students. She is Board Certified in Counseling Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology. She received her undergraduate degree in History from Duke University and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Dakota in Counseling Psychology. She started at GVSU in 1976 as a psychologist in the Counseling Center and served as Director of the GVSU Counseling Center from 1985 until 2003, when she began her current position.

Diana Pace heads up mediation services for the university; chairs the division diversity committee and the co-curricular programming committee; co-chairs the university Claiming a Liberal Education project; and edits Pulse, a newsletter for faculty about student characteristics. She authored The Career Fix-It Book and has had numerous articles published in professional journals. She has been recognized for her work at Grand Valley including the Administrative Professional Achievement Award and the Maxine Swanson Award for contributions to women’s concerns. She also received the Outstanding Publications Award from the Michigan College Personnel Association in 2002 and 2003. She also teaches at Grand Valley in the College Student Affairs Leadership Program (CSAL) for the College of Education.

Ginger Randall joined the Grand Valley community in 1984, initially working with international students and providing services to students with disabilities. During her time at Grand Valley, she has also worked with returning adult students, LGBT students and issues, ADA compliance, and assessment.

As Associate Dean of Students, Ginger coordinates the university judicial system and recruitment and training of graduate assistants in the College Student Affairs Leadership program. Ginger earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from Grand Valley, and her Ph.D. in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education (HALE) from Michigan State University.

Amber Roberts

Director of the Counseling & Career Development Center

Amber Roberts is the Interim Director of the Counseling and Career Development Center and previously served as the Assistant Director of Clinical Services.  She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from GVSU, and returned in 2002 to complete her doctoral internship at the Counseling Center.  Amber received her Masters of Arts degree in Counseling from Michigan State University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University.  Amber is Board Certified in Counseling Psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.  She is also active in numerous professional organizations, has published in the area of attachment theory, and is a Certified Group Psychotherapist through the American Group Psychotherapy Association.