Meet our Staff
Joy Gianakura, Ed.D.
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Joy is the Associate Dean of the Seidman Student Academic Services office in the Seidman College of Business. In this role she oversees the operations and staff at the Seidman Center and Allendale offices. Joy has a BS in Education from CMU, and earned her MS in Higher Education from GVSU! In 2013 she earned her doctorate in higher education leadership from CMU. Dr. Gianakura has spent over 25 years in higher education and enjoys collaborating with faculty and assisting students in achieving success. She has worked at institutions such as Oakland University, James Madison University, Davenport University and GVSU (1995-2000) and returned in July, 2014. In her spare time she teaches higher education courses, is a Spinning instructor, and enjoys music, running and swimming.
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Tami Defouw
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Tami earned a B.A. in Advertising and Public Relations and a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership both from Grand Valley State University. Before joining the Seidman College of Business, Tami served as an adjunct advisor in the Student Academic Success Center where she supported the Freshman Academy Program and international students. Tami has been a Michigander all her life but enjoys any and all opportunities to travel and explore the United States and beyond. As a pastime, she paints acrylics on canvas ever since she took an introductory art course. Baking is another of her hobbies, and her cake ball creation has won awards.
Shannon Zakalik
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Shannon earned her B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus in Mathematics from Saginaw Valley State University in 2013. After finishing her undergrad, Shannon began working in SVSU’s Office of Admissions while completing her M.A. in Public Administration with an emphasis in Student Affairs. Prior to joining the Seidman team, she worked as an Academic Advisor at Michigan State University. In her free time, Shannon enjoys camping, running, and enjoying all things Michigan.
Amy Schuster
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Amy earned her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Calvin University in 2009 and her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2012. Starting in her undergrad experience until now, Amy has worked in both career advising and academic advising roles. After graduating from GVSU, she spent quite a few years in Colorado working for various higher education institutions. After returning to her home state of Michigan, Amy joined the Seidman Undergraduate Programs team in early 2021. In her free time, Amy loves spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and anything that involves being near a lake.
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Jacki Jenkins
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Jacki earned her B.A. in Social Studies Secondary Education with an emphasis in History from Grand Valley State University in 2009. After finishing her undergrad, Jacki also completed a post-bachelor’s certificate in Paralegal Studies from Lansing Community College. After getting back into Secondary Education, Jacki went back to school for her M.Ed. in Higher Education Student Affairs from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. Prior to joining the Seidman team, Jacki worked as an Academic Advisor and Instructor at Siena Heights University. In her spare time, Jacki enjoys playing softball, watching sports, traveling, singing, coaching tumbling and cheerleading, and enjoying the outdoors with her pups, friends, and family.
Kailee McDonough
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kailee earned her B.S. in Psychology from Western Michigan University in 2016. After finishing her undergrad, Kailee spent two years as a College Advisor through AmeriCorps at Hastings High School. This sparked her interest in Student Affairs, which led her to complete her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2020. After graduating from GVSU, she worked as an Academic Advisor at Central Washington University in the state of Washington. In her free time, Kailee loves camping, playing video games, baking, and spending time with her two cats, Frasier and Niles!
Kelly Boyd
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Kelly earned both her B.S. in Exercise Science and her M. Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University. While completing her master’s degree, Kelly worked in Financial Aid and completed internships in Housing and Residence life at GVSU, and in the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University. From her time as an undergraduate until now, Kelly has worked in the Office of Student Life and in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at GVSU. In her free time Kelly enjoys weekends trips up north, going to the farmers market, attending workout classes, and spending time with friends and family.
Sandy Farley
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Sandy began her professional career in Residence Life at Grand Valley State University and has now returned as an advisor in the Seidman College of Business. She has a B.S. with majors in Psychology and Communication and a Master’s in Art in Counseling Education/Counseling Psychology, both from Western Michigan University. Before returning to GVSU, she worked at Ashland University, Baker College and Aquinas College in various capacities. Sandy has a passion for the outdoors and enjoys boating, camping, hiking and traveling to spend time with family and friends.
Molly Duimstra
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Molly earned her B.S. in Resource Development and Environmental Policy at Michigan State University. After graduating from MSU, she worked for the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico as a Park Ranger. After returning to her home state of Michigan,she began her career at GVSU in the School of Engineering in 2013 and has since joined the staff of Seidman Undergraduate Programs. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her family in northern Michigan, and walking her pups on the White Pine Trail.
Maria Schepper
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Maria earned her B.A. in Spanish and International Studies from Saginaw Valley State University in 2020 and her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2022. Maria accepted a position at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor campus as a pre-health advisor after graduating and worked there for 2 years supporting students pursuing a health professions program. After deciding where to set some roots down, the west side was calling back. This led Maria to join the Siedman team in 2024. During Maria’s free time, she enjoys finding new places to explore with her husband Taylor and their dog Milo.
Nicole VonOesen
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Nicole earned her B.A in German Teaching from Grand Valley State University in 2022 and her M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University in 2024. While completing her master's degree, Nicole worked as a graduate assistant in the College of Education and Community Innovations Academic Advising Office as well as an admissions recruiter at Grand Rapids Community College. In her free time, Nicole loves to golf and spend time water skiing and wakeboarding at her lake house. She also loves to hang out with her cat, Artie.
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Maddie Quintanilla
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Maddie is one of the Graduate Assistants for Seidman Undergraduate Programs. She graduated from Michigan State University in 2023 with a B.A. in English. After completing her undergraduate degree, Maddie spent time as a College Advisor through AmeriCorps at Perry High School. She is currently enrolled in the M.Ed of Higher Education CSAL program at Grand Valley. In her spare time, Maddie enjoys cooking, working out, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Bethany Dallas
Office Address: 1031 L. William Seidman Center
Phone: (616) 331-7500
Email: [email protected]
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Bethany is one of the Graduate Assistants for Seidman Undergraduate Programs. She graduated from Grand Valley State University in the fall of 2018 with a B.A. in English and Secondary Education with a minor in French. For over five years, Bethany worked as a middle school English teacher in Grand Rapids public and charter school districts. Along with teaching, she has a background in athletic leadership and directed after-school sports programs for at-risk youth. Bethany is in the M.Ed of Higher Education CSAL program. Bethany is fond of reading, adventuring outdoors, and visiting local eateries.