Finalists for the Vice President for People, Culture, and Equity will be on campus May 2, May 3 and May 6.
A Faculty and Staff Forum will be held at 11 a.m. in 168 ATC (Auditorium) each of these days, so please plan to attend if your schedule permits.
The Vice President will directly oversee the Office of Human Resources and Talent Development and the Office of Equal Opportunity. It was posted early February on external websites, in national publications, as well as on our own employment website.
Marsha Lindsay – Thursday, May 2
With over twenty-five years of experience, Marsha N. Lindsay has distinguished herself as a forward-thinking executive. Her leadership in diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), human resources, and equitable talent acquisition practices has guided executives and organizations from various sectors—including higher education, oil and gas, non-profits, and start-ups—towards fostering cultures championing belonging and accessibility.
Marsha’s rich academic background includes a Master of Liberal Arts from Houston Christian University and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Houston-DT. Presently, she is on the path to earning an EdD in Educational Leadership at Capella University. Her commitment to professional growth is also reflected in earning a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Certificate from the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR) and a Certified Grants Specialist title from The National Grant Writers Association.
With over twenty-five years of dedication to DEI, human resources, and talent acquisition, Marsha has spearheaded global recruitment initiatives, promoting cultural competence and intercultural responsiveness within the workplace. Recognized for her innovative recruitment and outreach strategies, she has notably improved the efficiency of recruitment cycles and expanded initiatives to secure and nurture diverse talent. Marsha’s vision also led to the creation of a DEI professional development training program with a global reach, assisting employees across more than ten countries in adapting to international assignments.
Her expertise spans organizational and change management, strategic planning and leadership, financial administration, talent development, employee enablement, and succession planning, to name a few. Marsha’s proficiency with crucial industry technologies like ADP, iCIMS, Oracle PeopleSoft, and Workday, alongside Microsoft Office, has positioned her at the forefront of innovation in her field.
As an educational advocate, Marsha underscores the importance of critical thinking, persistence, and creativity in her role. She is dedicated to nurturing environments that ensure the well-being of individuals and advocating for policies and practices that make inclusivity, accessibility, and belonging integral to an organization’s culture—moving beyond aspirations to embed these values genuinely and authentically.
Nygil Likely – Friday, May 3
Nygil Likely is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, he is a proud graduate of the Grand Rapids
Public Schools. As a seasoned higher education administrator, Nygil has served at four
institutions.
He is a people focused leader who works to ensure that all stakeholders have
access to the institution. He is a collaborative leader that believes in working across the
institution towards a shared vision and purpose.
Nygil has worked to ensure that faculty, staff, and students have a strong sense of belonging within the institution. He is a dedicated leader who believes in the transformative power of people and education.
Brian Davis – Monday, May 6
Dr. Brian Davis currently serves as an educational consultant with the Michigan Association of
Superintendents and Administrators. In this role he co-leads the Horizon Leadership Academy program
including curriculum development, assessment, and accreditation processes. This work has developed
an alternative pathway to leadership program recognized by the Michigan Department of Education.
He also works with MASA’s Beyond Equity Professional Development and oversees the mentor coaching
cadre. He has collaborated with other PreK-12 state organizations as well as many post-secondary
institutions including Western Michigan University, Northern Michigan University, Davenport University,
Ferris State University, Grand Rapids Community College, and Hope College.
He is currently an Adjunct Professor for the College of Education and Human Development in the graduate program at WMU. Dr. Davis has over 30 years of experience at the PreK-12+ level having served in small, rural, suburban, and urban districts. He was the Superintendent of Holland Public Schools for 13 years. He was recognized as MASA’s State Superintendent of the Year in 2011.
Dr. Davis earned his Ph.D. from Western Michigan University, ED.S. from Michigan State University, Masters in Counseling from Eastern Michigan University and his Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University.
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