11.13.25 – Dana Hebreard, Ph.D. – Assistant Director, CLAS Center for Experiential Learning, GVSU

Speaker: Dana Hebreard, Ph.D. – Assistant Director, CLAS Center for Experiential Learning, GVSU

Speaker Topic: Talent Link initiative at Grand Valley State University

Bio:

Dana, originally from Brooklyn, New York, grew up in various big cities such as Chicago and Miami. She attended Indiana University Bloomington, where she received undergraduate degrees in journalism and communication. It was during her campus involvement that she discovered her passion for student development, which inspired her to earn a master’s degree in college student affairs and leadership. A lifelong learner, she continued her education at Western Michigan University earning a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. The dissertation focused on the career decision making process utilizing the social cognitive career theory titled “Opt Out: Women with Children Leaving Mid-Level Student Affairs Positions” (2010).”

Dana served as the associate director of academic advising at Calvin University where, amongst other things, she facilitated faculty advisor training, managed student advising records and organized the logistics of the academic component for first year and transfer student orientation. Most recently, she was the executive director of the advantage center (home of high-impact practices including undergraduate research, internships, and community-based learning) and career services at Aquinas College. She oversaw the center’s strategic goals, taught career development classes, and advised students and alumni on various career-related topics. Dana also worked with individual employers and several college consortiums, to develop recruitment strategies and to help broaden the scope of employment opportunities for students.

As the Talent Link Program Specialist, Dana collaborates with colleagues across campus to recruit students and support the Talent Link Scholars serving as a key point of contact internally and externally to ensure successful program development and implementation.

She is an active member of NACADA (The Global Community for Academic Advising) and AHRM (Association of Human Resource Management). She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Girls Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. Dana and her partner, Michael, live in Grand Rapids and have three boys (Patrick, Andrew, and Evan) and a puggle named Penny.