Shelia Jones has been named Grand Rapids Community College’s new Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for the upcoming academic year.
Jones has been part of GRCC since 2016, where she started as GRCC’s dean of Instructional Support and was given the title of Associate Provost in 2022. She also served as GRCC’s accreditation liaison officer and is currently on the board of directors for the Michigan American Council on Education Women’s Network.
“I’m feeling excited about this new opportunity to continue to serve the students, faculty, staff, and community here,” stated Jones in an email to The Collegiate. “It’s a great time to be at GRCC and for the past seven years, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside passionate colleagues to support our students. My goal as Interim Provost is to continue to do so and to help the college grow in any way that I can.”
Jones earned her bachelor’s degree in history and business administration from Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania. She received her master’s and doctoral degrees in history from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She also completed the Michigan Community College Association’s Leadership Academy in 2019.
“I have had the privilege of collaborating with Dr. Jones over the past seven months and I can attest to her being a dependable and trusted colleague,” stated GRCC President Charles Lepper in an email to faculty and staff.
Tina Hoxie was the previous Interim Provost for GRCC and agreed to stay in that position until the end of the 2023 summer semester. Hoxie returned to GRCC after a brief retirement to help guide the college after former GRCC Provost Brian Knetl left GRCC to become president of Waubonsee Community College in January. Hoxie will continue to work alongside Jones until the end of September.
Jones agreed to serve as Provost and Executive Vice President while GRCC and Goldhill Associates continue the national search to fill the position. She started in her new role Tuesday, Aug. 15.
