Biography

Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D., serves as Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff to the President at Grand Valley State University. He was promoted into this role in 2024 after serving as Vice President for Inclusion and Equity since 2015 and taking on Chief of Staff responsibilities in 2019. In this new role, Dr. Bernal is a strategic partner to the university’s President, playing a crucial role in shaping and implementing the university’s vision. This position involves overseeing central administration functions, developing university strategies, and ensuring alignment with long-term goals. Dr. Bernal’s leadership extends to managing the Charter Schools Office, which is the nation’s second-largest authorizer, overseeing 79 schools with more than 35,000 students enrolled.

Since joining GVSU in 2015 as the Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, Dr. Bernal has been pivotal in advancing diversity initiatives and fostering an inclusive campus climate. His strategic efforts have resulted in significant systemic changes and deep partnerships with community organizations to promote educational equity. In 2019, he supported the university's development of Reach Higher 2025 and various innovation and engagement initatives on behalf of the president.

During his time as a graduate student at UCSB, Dr. Bernal was appointed to the University of California Board of Regents as a student Regent. In this influential role, he passionately advocated for statewide policies and programs that supported California's diverse student populations, elevating the visibility of underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ students, undocumented students, veterans, and students of color. As Regent, Dr. Bernal chaired the Student Life and Alumni Affairs Committee and co-chaired the Access and Affordability Committee of the University of California's Commission on the Future.

Dr. Bernal's impact extends nationally, where he has been actively involved in the National Association of Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) and previously served on the Board of Directors, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), American Education Research Association (AERA), and the National Conference on LGBT Equality. His dedication to public service has been recognized through various appointments, including by Governors Rick Snyder and Gretchen Whitmer, to serve on the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, where he was elected chair of the commission in 2021.

Locally, Dr. Bernal remains deeply engaged in the community. He serves on the executive committee of the Grand Rapids Cesar Chavez Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Grand Rapids Public Museum and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids. His previous board roles include the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, and Arbor Circle. Additionally, Dr. Bernal has contributed his expertise to various diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as the Varnum, LLC Diversity Council, Talent 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice, K-Connect Inclusion and Equity Council, Grand Rapids Community Foundation Fund for Community Good Advisory Committee, Andy Lubbers "be nice" Memorial Fund Advisory Board, and the Center for Community Leadership Council for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, showcasing his commitment to collaboration and community impact.

Dr. Bernal holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Perspectives in Education from UC Santa Barbara and has completed executive education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Center for Studies in Higher Education in the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley. His research has focused on education policy and law, equity and diversity in higher education, campus climate assessments, social justice education, critical race theory, student engagement and development theories, and diversity models in higher education. As an adjunct faculty member in the GVSU College of Education, Dr. Bernal shares his knowledge and expertise by teaching courses on organization and administration in higher education and advising master's students in the College and Student Affairs Leadership program.

Dr. Jesse M. Bernal is a visionary leader dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable higher education environment at GVSU and beyond. His strategic leadership drives the development and implementation of initiatives that align diversity, equity, and inclusion with institutional goals. By designing innovative programs and fostering partnerships with local and national organizations, Dr. Bernal strengthens GVSU's commitment to social justice. He advocates for policies that ensure equitable access and success for all students, leveraging data-driven insights to inform decisions and measure impact. His collaborative approach and expertise make him a driving force for positive change, inspiring others to create a brighter future for all learners.