Dr. Nykia Gaines, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Federal TRIO Programs

Welcome to Grand Valley State University’s Federal TRIO Programs! My name is Nykia D. Gaines, also known as Dr. G. I’m proud to serve as the Associate Vice President for Federal TRIO Programs, where I work alongside a dedicated team working to support students from first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented backgrounds. My journey with GVSU began in 1994 as a freshman from Detroit, and I have been fortunate to grow alongside this incredible institution ever since.

I earned my B.S. in Criminal Justice in 1998, followed by an M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Leadership in 2001 from Grand Valley. My passion for supporting students led me to pursue a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, which I completed at Bowling Green State University in 2012. Since returning to GVSU, I have held various roles, including Apartment Director, Sr. Academic Advisor, Director of TRIO Student Support Services STEM-Health Sciences, and Interim Associate Dean of Students, all of which have strengthened my commitment to student success and equity in education.

In my current role, I lead GVSU’s TRIO Programs, overseeing federal compliance, staff development, and student outcomes, ensuring that we provide a transformative experience for the students we serve. My work also involves advocacy at both the regional and national levels, where I strive to amplify the voices of first-generation college students. 

Beyond my professional life, I am a proud mother to my son Elijah, and I enjoy spending quality time with my family. My husband, Quandours, and I cherish family time, and I’m passionate about traveling abroad and exploring new cultures.

Full-Time Position: Associate Vice President for Federal TRIO Programs, Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach
Office Address: 200 STU
Phone: (616) 331-5430
Email: [email protected]

Kel Nemetz, Administrative Assistant for Federal TRIO Programs

Hello! I am Kel Nemetz, she/her/hers, and I am the C5 Administrative Assistant for Federal TRIO Programs. I am an alumni of Grand Valley State University and current graduate student. I completed my undergraduate studies with three Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education, English Language Arts, and German Language and Literature in 2018, and moved continued working in PK-12 education until returning to GVSU as a full-time staff member in 2022. Currently, I am pursuing my Professional Master's of Arts in Social Innovation, studying anti-racist, socially-just teacher preparation. I am also a TRIO alum from two programs - Upward Bound and TRIO Teacher Preparation Student Support Services. I have experienced first-hand how grand of an impact TRIO programs can have on first-generation, low income students and I am so thankful to return to the programs that have gotten me to where I am today! In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my incredible friends, my three cats, Meeko, Mila, and Mazie, and spending a lot of time outside and enjoying new places and things!

Full-Time Position: Administrative Assistant for Federal TRIO Programs, Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach
Office Address: 220 STU
Phone: (616) 331-3583
Email: [email protected]