Meet the Staff
Trenton Beamon
Title: Assistant Director
Office Address: 1112 Au Sable Hall (ASH)
Phone: (616) 331-8855
Email: [email protected]
Trenton is native to Kalamazoo, MI and relocated to Grand Rapids in 2013 to attend GVSU. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a master’s in college student affairs leadership. As an undergrad at GVSU he participated in intramural sports, a brother of AKPsi business fraternity, served as a resident assistant and tutored for Grand Rapids Public Schools. He started his higher education professional career as a graduate assistant in the LAKER Academic Success Center advising students-athletes and coordinating freshman life skills programs. Since then, he has gained experience in mentoring student social justice groups, advising military students and facilitating study skills courses. He is passionate about helping students recognize their potential and discover their educational interests. In his free time, he loves to cycle, try new restaurants in GR and spend time with family/friends.
Andrea Gentile
Title: Academic Advisor
Office Address: 1112 Au Sable Hall (ASH)
Phone: (616) 331-8855
Email: [email protected]
Hiya! My name is Andrea and I am excited to work with you all amazing Lakers!
I graduated from WMU with a degree in accountancy and criminal justice before moving to Northern Ireland to pursue my master’s in international business from QUB. While working in Germany, I completed a second bachelor's in investigative forensics from UMGC.
I found my passion for higher education while working at WMU Study Abroad office as an undergraduate student. I then joined the UMGC Europe team where I spent over two years working in Germany for their student services team. I then moved to England where I spent four years as an academic advisor. During that time, I worked with our military students in Europe and sometimes the Middle East. I combined my love of travel and education, and I hope to help you all find that perfect fit for you! Come in and say hi as we explore your options here at GVSU!
Schedule with Andrea
Dylan Jones
Title: Academic Advisor
Office Address: 1112 Au Sable Hall (ASH)
Phone: (616) 331-8855
Email: [email protected]
Hello Lakers! I am Dylan and I am excited to be a part of the Exploratory Study advising team. I am from Kalamazoo, MI, and now call Grand Rapids home. I am a second-generation Laker having received my bachelor’s degree in education. Prior to joining GVSU’s Exploratory Study advising center, I worked as a Student Access Coordinator at Davenport University, as well as a secondary education classroom teacher. As a Grand Valley alumnus, I know the value of being engaged in the Laker community. I understand the importance the Exploratory Study has to offer for all students to ensure they are on the right path. In my free time I enjoy going to the gym, reading, going to Lake Michigan, spending quality time with friends and family, and taking spontaneous road trips. I look forward to meeting with you! Anchor Up!
Schedule with Dylan
RaeShawn Jones
Title: Academic Advisor
Office Address: 1112 Au Sable Hall (ASH)
Phone: (616) 331-8855
Email: [email protected]
Hi! I'm Rae and I'm super excited to be an Exploratory Advisor here at GVSU. I'm originally from Michigan and graduated high school from Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo. I earned my B.S. In Communications at West Virginia State University, a small HBCU(Historically Black College/University) in WV. After a year of professional experience, I returned home to MI to obtain a M.Ed. in Higher Ed and Student Affairs through the CSAL program here at GVSU. I worked in Student Life at Western Michigan University Medical School before going on to work in Res Life & Housing at Davenport University. I then worked as a facilitator for the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation (GRCCT), a non-profit youth services division of Bethany Christian Services. I have now returned here as a Laker and it's good to be home!
I'm a mom of one amazing and energetic toddler, so I enjoy a long nap whenever I can. I also love to read, travel, cuddle my two fur babies (cats) and enjoy long walks down Target aisles. Come visit me in Au Sable to chat and have fun exploring the amazing programs we have to offer here at GV.
Schedule with Rae
Ty Yakel
Title: Academic Advisor
Office Address: 1112 Au Sable Hall (ASH)
Phone: (616) 331-8855
Email: [email protected]
Hey everyone! My name is Ty and I am very excited to be part of the Exploratory Advising team here at GVSU. I am originally from the east side of Michigan but graduated from GVSU with a bachelor’s degree in education. Right out of college, I was an EMT during the pandemic in the beautiful city of Detroit for about a year, then decided to put my degree to use and taught high school in a town named Hesperia for about two and a half years. I knew that I wanted to work my way back to GVSU and found the perfect avenue in Exploratory Advising, seeing as though I changed my major here about 4 times before graduating. I want to help students who are in a similar situation as I was in college! Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, playing golf, and fishing. I enjoy every sport, especially baseball and would love to hear any hot takes you might have. Feel free to come visit me at any time!
Schedule with Ty
Andromeda Rodriquez
Title: Office Coordinator
Office Address: 1112 Au Sable Hall (ASH)
Phone: (616) 331-8855
Email: [email protected]
Hey everyone! My name is Andromeda and I am the Office Coordinator for the Exploratory Advising Center! I’ve spent the last year and a half working in higher education and really found my passion for interacting with students. I graduated from Wright State University with a B.S. in Psychology and hope to one day finish my Master’s in Higher Education. In my free time, I love to hang out with my cat Lana, play video games, go to concerts, or practice my line dancing! I moved to the Grand Rapids area in May 2024 and have enjoyed being a lot closer to my family and new friends. I am excited to help our exploratory students and connect them with our amazing academic advisors!