Jesse Grant

Jesse Grant brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education to the role, most recently serving as associate vice president for student life and success at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota. In his previous roles at Bemidji, he served as dean of students, where he led multifaceted student affairs departments, including student life, advising and counseling, conduct, Title IX, housing and dining, career services, health and accessibility services, American Indian and veteran services, and diversity initiatives.

Grant has enjoyed his many roles in higher education by focusing on the students, the mission of the institution, and ensuring student success and retention. He has served as the dean of students at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, and the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau, where he was responsible for 24 full-time staff and a $3.6 million budget. Grant also held student affairs positions at campuses in Michigan, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Missouri. As a longtime educator, Grant has taught coursework in higher education administration, leadership, research methods, and student affairs at a variety of colleges and universities across the country.

Grant earned his Ph.D. in higher education leadership at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. He received his Master of Arts in counselor education at the University of Iowa, and he earned his Bachelor of Arts in sociology at Kent State University. In addition to his degrees, he has also completed a post-master’s certificate in enrollment management with Capella University and has certification as a global career development facilitator from the Center for Credentialing and Education in Greensboro, North Carolina. He is also a certified Investigator I/II by the Association of Title IX Investigators and is a reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission accreditation agency.