Will transition to new role May 1, 2021

by Bobbie Handcock | Office of Communications

GRAMBLING, La. – April 22, 2021 – Effective May 1, 2021, Dr. Gourjoine M. Wade will transition to a new role at Grambling State University as interim Vice President of Student Affairs. The Monroe, Louisiana native currently serves as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at the institution. Having received his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Grambling State, he continued his studies, earning a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and Management from Walden University.

Dr. Wade is a high-impact, outcomes-driven, social media-connected student affairs practitioner.

A first-generation college graduate at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level, he has dedicated his 16-year career to finding innovative and strategic ways to make higher education possible for those who desire it.

“Dr. Wade’s interim appointment represents a full-circle moment,” said Grambling State University President Rick Gallot. “As a first-generation graduate of GSU almost 20 years ago to his current role, he represents the level of quality and preparation we aspire for our students. He is a nationally recognized leader in digital student engagement and we are excited about his leadership as the formal search process commences.”

Dr. Wade said that Grambling has given him so much and has always been a special place for him.

“I found the love of my life on The Yard and identified my passion for student affairs by serving as a work-study student in the same spaces where I now work almost 20 years later,” he said. “It is indeed an honor to serve in this interim capacity and I appreciate President Gallot for his trust and confidence in my ability to collaboratively lead our team and genuinely support our students. For me, higher education can provide people with an established and supportive avenue to achieve their desired goals and aspirations. It is a joy to serve as one of many stewards for young people who decide to travel that road.”

Before serving at Grambling State, Dr. Wade served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Alabama State University. He is a student advocate who fosters a sincere passion to serve students, especially first-generation HBCU students and students of color. In addition to working extensively with collaborators and colleagues to enhance the student experience, Dr. Wade serves as an active member and leader within the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), where he holds the Region III African American Knowledge Community Co-Representative position, serves on the Conference Advisory Committee for the NASPA Conferences on Student Success in Higher Education, and led GSU’s efforts to successfully join the 2020 Cohort of the NASPA First Gen Forward Initiative.

Listed by digital leadership expert Dr. Josie Alhquist as one of the 40 Digital Leaders to Follow, Dr. Wade has been named a Higher Ed Digital Leader and serves as a member of the Student Affairs Digital Task Force, a national collective of social media and digital thought leaders in higher education. He was also a member of the 2017 Aspiring Vice Presidents for Student Affairs Cohort and was recognized by the HBCU Campaign Fund as a 2021 Emerging Higher Ed Professional. He remains eager and ready for partnerships with those who are committed to meeting students where they are, so collaborators can get them where they need to be.