CLAS Advisory Board

What We Do

  • Advocate for the importance of experiential liberal arts and sciences education, especially in West Michigan and across the state.
  • Support fundraising and friend-raising efforts of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
  • Strengthen college relationships with alumni, corporations, schools, government agencies, cultural and philanthropic organizations, and other partners.
  • Listen to and learn from current CLAS students and faculty to understand the current and emerging needs of the college.

Why Get Involved

  • Combine tradition with future vision by re-envisioning and building the board, creatively engaging our community, and assisting Dean Drake in implementing her vision for the college.
  • Be the one of the first to hear about the extraordinary things that are happening in CLAS and at GVSU.
  • Help build capacity for the CLAS Voyage, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities.
  • Use your networks to collect and tell stories about the transformative power and impact of a liberal education.
  • Create pathways for current and future students.

Board Commitments

  • Attend two virtual meetings in January and May and an in-person meeting in October.
  • Serve on at least one committee: Executive and Steering, Fundraising and Development, or Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships.
  • Commit to a 1-, 2-, or 3-year term with the option to renew for an additional 3 years.
People working together

Board Leadership

Tim Bulson Headshot

Timothy Bulson

Director of Community Relations for St. Ann’s Senior Living Campus 

Emma Baranowski Headshot

Emma Baranowski

Global Head of Order Management, 

Hannah Greening Headshot

Hannah Greening

Founder and Managing Broker of Fancy Real Estate

Kelly Hildebrand Headshot

Kelly Hildebrand

 Senior HRIS Manager at Smart Care Equipment Solutions

Michael Pratt Headshot

Michael Pratt

Strategic Philanthropic Advisor, Research Lead, and Project Manager at Ktisis Capital

Carrie Wilson Headshot

Carrie Wilson

Owner & CEO of Freedom Construction


Members-at-Large

Tabby Bennett Headshot

Tabitha Bennett

Physical Therapist, Corewell Health Outpatient Rehabilitation  

Kim Bode Headshot

Kim Bode

Principal, 8THIRTYFOUR

Edward Cardenas Headshot

Edward Cardenas

Global Communication and Reporting Manager, Stellantis Philanthropy

Lynsey Elve Headshot

Lynsey Elve

Director, Global Corporate Communications, Kraft Heinz

Lerenza Howard Headshot

Lerenza Howard

System Infection Control Manager, Sinai Health Systems

Melissa Meitz Headshot

Melissa Meitz, MPH

Director, Referral Development and Marketing

Ebony Parker-Featherstone Headshot

Ebony Parker Featherstone

Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan

A view looking up at the clock tower standing against a blue sky with clouds

Joy Walczak

Communications Specialist, Kent ISD

Student Members

  • Ian McGuckin
  • Luis Vidal

 

Ex-offcio Members

  • Associate Dean Michelle McCloud
  • Faculty Council Representative Len O'Kelly

For More Information

To learn more about the CLAS Advisory Board, email us at clas@gvsu.edu.



Page last modified April 4, 2025