“I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Gersie to the Quinnipiac family,” Quinnipiac President Judy Olian said. “Wayne has long experience helping institutions embed DEI as core values of their culture. At Quinnipiac that is our aspiration and continued commitment, and a reason we are so attracted to Wayne’s expertise and leadership qualities.”

In his new role, Gersie will develop strategies and execute programs that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, community and social justice across the university. He also will serve on the university’s Management Committee.

“I’m humbled and enthusiastic to be joining Quinnipiac University,” Gersie said. “I’m inspired by its ambitious vision for the future. Quinnipiac is already progressing in building a culture of inclusive excellence. I’m eager to help further the community-wide efforts and work collaboratively with all university stakeholders in championing equity, belonging and inclusivity for all members of Bobcat Nation.”

With more than two decades of leadership in higher education, Gersie is a highly respected and accomplished DEI champion. In his various academic and administrative roles, he has directed school and university-wide programs, engaged with high school, college and graduate students to support their development, implemented innovative collaborative partnerships within the university and with employers, and attracted substantial outside funding in partnership with faculty to accelerate DEI progress.

Gersie joins Quinnipiac from Michigan Technological University, where he served as the inaugural vice president of diversity and inclusion and as a research assistant professor in the Department of Cognitive and Learning Sciences.

While at MTU, Gersie was responsible for leading all university strategic initiatives related to DEI through collaboration with other university offices and senior leadership, including the creation and implementation of the first university-wide DEI strategic plan.

Gersie repositioned the function to a retention and graduation focus and led the design of a curriculum for staff supervisors and managers to help develop culturally responsive leaders.

Prior to Michigan Tech, Gersie served as an assistant research professor and chief diversity officer for the Applied Research Laboratory at The Pennsylvania State University, and earlier as director of the multicultural engineering program in the College of Engineering at Penn State.

Gersie earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Penn State. His doctoral degree is in workforce education and development, with an emphasis on training and human resources.

Additionally, he holds certificates from the Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership Education, the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, and the Center for Creative Leadership in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He also serves on the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Advisory Council.