Grand Valley State University - Charter Schools Office

Special Assistant to President for Charter Schools

(616) 331-9060

Timothy Wood, Ph.D. is the newly appointed Special Assistant to the President for Charter Schools. Prior to joining the GVSU team, Dr. Wood was the Superintendent of Saugatuck Public Schools for the past six years. Additionally he served as the principal of Northview High School in Grand Rapids and of Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. In total, Dr. Wood brings more that twenty years of school administrative experience to the GVSU Charter School Office. He received a BA from Hillsdale College, a MA from Central Michigan, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University; both advanced degrees are in Educational Administration. He and his wife Wendy reside in the City of Saugatuck. His son Greg is a Michigan State graduate, while daughter Ashley holds a BA from the University of Michigan. They live a mile apart from each other in Chicago where they both live and work.

Special Projects

(616) 331-3479

Dr. Patricia Oldt is currently a distinguished professor in Grand Valley’s College of Education and is also Director of Special Projects. She joined Grand Valley in 2000 and served 6 years as a Vice President. Prior to joining Grand Valley Pat spent 7 years as Superintendent of Northview Public Schools, 7 years as an administrator in Grand Rapids Public Schools and 12 years in an administrative role with Grand Rapids Community College.

Pat received her doctorate from Michigan State University and has received a number of recognitions for her many contributions to the field of education.

Compliance Officer

(616) 331-3656

As Compliance Officer, Kristin is responsible for monitoring GVSU-authorized charter schools for compliance with State and federal laws and regulations and compliance with academies' respective contracts with the University Board of Trustees. Kristin is also responsible for maintaining the integrity of the electronic document management system and preparing and disseminating information related to the GVSU charter schools to the State of Michigan. Kristin holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies and a master of public administration degree from Grand Valley State University. In her free time, Kristin enjoys running and spending time with her husband and two children.

Project Coordinator

(616) 331-9068

Amirah is the new Project Coordinator for the Charter Schools Office. She provides assistance to Dr. Timothy Wood in areas of marketing and public relations and assists in coordinating Professional Development Training for Charter School teachers and administrators. Amirah is a GVSU alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. When not in the office, Amirah enjoys spending time with her husband and new son, watching sports, and traveling.

Administrative Assistant

(616) 331-3672

As Charter Schools Office Assistant, Molli acts as a general assistant to the office, performing non-routine office functions which substantially contribute to Charter Schools’ objectives. Before joining the office, Molli worked in the GVSU Registrar's office and with the City of Grand Rapids’ Recreation Reaps Rewards Program and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids to provide after school youth development programming to schools in the Grand Rapids area. Molli is a GVSU alumni with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration including an emphasis in both Local Economic Development and Planning as well as an emphasis in Community Development and planning. Molli recently completed her Master of Education degree in Adult and Higher Education in December 2007. Molli enjoys spending time with her family and within the community.

Director of Research and Measurement

(616) 331-8549

As Director of Research & Measurement, Rob is responsible for developing performance metrics and managing performance data for GVSU charter schools. A graduate of Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy’s Learning Sciences MA program, Rob worked as a consultant for a KIPP charter school in Chicago and was an Education Pioneers fellow in the summer of 2009. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, Rob taught in traditional public schools, lead a non-profit summer camp, and was a public affairs editor for the U.S. Department of Interior in Washington, DC. Rob completed his BA and teacher certification at the University of Michigan.

Research and Measurement Assistant

(616) 331-2240

Tona joined the GVSU Charter School’s Office Staff in June of 2007 as the Research and Measurement Assistant. Tona provides an array of assistance to Robert Kimball, Director of Research and Measurement, in the areas of school performance and data reporting. When Tona is not in the office she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-3708

Bob Fortin started his second career at GVSU in 1997 after working in K-12 system for 32 years, of which the last 14 were served as Superintendent of the Coopersville Area Public Schools. Bob presently serves the Charter School Office as a Field Representative where his primary duties are attending board meetings and working closely with both Charter School Boards of Education and their Principals.

When not working at GVSU, Bob and wife of 43 years, Marcy, enjoy the extended family their 4 daughters and 10 grandchildren provide.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-2240

Don has been with GVSU for years and is a retired superintendent from Greenville public schools. Don brings experience in instructional planning, curriculum alignment, program evaluation, and collaborative problem solving. Don enjoys time with his family and grandchildren.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-6956

In his 33 years in K-12 education, Jim has been a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He has also served as an educational consultant and school accreditation mentor. Jim brings to the charter school community knowledge and experience from the private school world, as well as experience in other states including Arizona and Colorado. The expertise he provides to GVSU charter schools includes board governance, program evaluation, strategic planning, and leadership development.

Jim and his wife Greta have four children and two grandchildren.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-9058

Dan is starting his first year at the GVSU Charter School office. Dan has spent the past 34 years as a K-12 classroom teacher, special needs teacher consultant and a high school administrator with Northview Public Schools.

In 2004 Dan was named the State of Michigan High School Administrator of the Year and in 2005 he was selected as the National High School Administrator of the year. Dan was also awarded the Grand Valley State University Outstanding Alumni Award in 2005.

Dan enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and traveling with his wife Shiela.

Field Service Representative

(616) 331-9058

James Smith, Ph.D. joined the Charter Schools Office (CSO) in November 2009 and assumed responsibilities for supporting GVSU authorized school boards and charter schools in Southeast Michigan. Prior to joining, James worked for IBM for twenty-eight years. When he retired in 2001 his responsibilities as Director of Education and Government Consulting included leading a large consulting practice that provided IBM management consulting and implementation services to K-12 school districts, higher education, and city, county and State governments in fifteen Midwestern States. James has a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Business Administration and - after retiring from IBM - earned a Ph.D. in K-12 Educational Administration from Michigan State University. His commitment to community service has included serving on the Lansing Area United Way Long Range Planning Committee; Lansing Urban League Board of Directors; Detroit Urban League Board of Directors; and the Board of Directors of Great Oaks Academy, a K-8 charter school in Warren, Michigan. Dr. Smith is married, has two sons, and enjoys reading, golf and tennis.

Technology Specialist

(616) 331-9069

As Technology Specialist, Devin is responsible for internal technology support for the GVSU CSO, as well as helping support GVSU authorized charter schools with their technology needs. Devin is in the process of completing his bachelor’s degree with a double major in Finance as well as Economics with an emphasis in Real Estate. In addition Devin has completed minors in Mathematics as well as Engineering.