Dr. Wayne Gersie

Community Advisory Board Member

Dr. Wayne Gersie serves as the Vice President for Engagement and Belonging at Michigan Technological University. Since assuming the role in November 2020, Gersie has provided critical vision and strategic leadership for inclusive excellence and sense of belonging initiatives.  In this capacity, Gersie collaborates with various stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners, to advance the University's commitment to strategic initiatives. His responsibilities involve communicating the value of DEIS for scholarship, research, and overall performance, such as coaching leaders in becoming culturally proficient, forming partnerships with institutions that predomininantly serve minoritized students (MSIs), leading training programs, and providing counsel on strategic DEIS issues.

Gersie has secured over $14.5 million in external grant funding as a Principal Investigator or co-Principal Investigator for programs supporting underrepresented students in STEM. His key

achievements include developing the University's first DEIS strategic plan, expanding partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other MSIs, and the University's successful application for a $1.3 million Ronald E. McNair Scholars grant from the US Department of Education. Before joining Michigan Tech, Gersie served as Assistant Research Professor and Chief Diversity Officer at Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory. He is also the founder of the diversity consulting firm Oasis Strategic Consulting LLC. Gersie earned his PhD in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State, with an emphasis on Human Resources.

Additionally, he holds an MEd in Counselor Education from Penn State and certificates from Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership Education, Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Center for Creative Leadership. Gersie's commitment to diversity and inclusion extends beyond policy, as he actively fosters collaborations, mentors leaders, and communicates the profound impact of DEIS initiatives on the University's overall excellence.