Dr. Mantella is the fifth president of Grand Valley State University, beginning her tenure July 1, 2019. Her strong student-centered philosophy, coupled with her operational expertise and strong vision for the future of education, positions her perfectly to lead GVSU into its seventh decade.
President Philomena V. Mantella brings more than three decades of higher education experience to her role. She not only leads where she is, but also develops transformational collaborations with other institutions. She strategically designs these partnerships to improve pathways for diverse learners across their lifetimes and to provide enterprises with talent. Collaborations across unique sectors mark her leadership style and her vision for education and the role it plays in the health of communities. She is committed to ensuring institutional integrity and building consensus for the mission and the noble cause of education.
Mantella has worked at public and private institutions in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, and Massachusetts. She has a Ph.D. in college and university administration from Michigan State University, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Syracuse University. Immediately prior to joining GVSU, she spent 18 years at Northeastern University as senior vice president of Enrollment and Student Life and the chief executive officer of the Lifelong Learning Network.