Grand Valley State University recently released a salary book for the 2025 academic year, detailing the salaries of each full-time and part-time faculty and staff member. The nine highest paid faculty members made over $300,000 and fall under executive and administrative job titles.

The salary book lists the employee type, along with their title, department, degree, hire date and salary, however it does not provide the names of staff members in the document. Seven of the 10 highest paid positions fall under the title of vice president within the Office of the President, with the exception of the University president and deans of the College of Computing and Seidman College of Business.

The highest paid faculty member is President Philomena Mantella, who’s making $533,025 this academic year. Mantella, under contract until 2029, received a 4.2% raise in 2024 and another 6% increase this past year.

The next highest paid faculty member was Vice President of Finance and Administration Gregory Sanial at $347,551. Sanial was followed closely by Provost Jennifer Drake, who made $347,514 this past year. Drake was appointed as the permanent provost in April 2025 after serving as acting provost since August 2024. She joined the University as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in 2020.

Vice President of Information Technology and Chief Digital Officer Milos Topić was fourth with a salary of $310,534, followed by Vice President of Enrollment and Development B. Donta Truss at $309,132. Marouane Kessentini, dean of the College of Computing, made $309,000.

Vice President for Institutional Advancement Laura Aikens made $305,542, Chief Public Affairs & Communications Officer Stacie Behler made $304,489 and Vice President of Student Affairs Jenny Hall-Jones made $303,383. 

Dean of Seidman College of Business Diana Lawson was the only faculty member in the top 10 to make less than $300,000, with a salary of $294,249.

In 2023, only three of the 10 highest paid positions were over $300,000, while in 2024 that number doubled. 

During an October Board of Trustees meeting, GVSU Professor of Mathematics Matt Boelkins highlighted the disproportionately high raises received by administrative staff within the past three years. He stated since 2022, many of the 30 highest paid administrators received a raise of more than 10%, with all receiving annual raises of at least 4%, despite seeing no changes in their roles or responsibilities. 

The wage gap between the lowest paid faculty members, including adjunct and visiting professors, maintenance, service and professional support staff, and the highest paid, continues growing, as their salaries remain fairly consistent. 

The highest paid professor in the Finance Department makes $209,641, while the majority of professors make between $80,000-$130,000 depending on the department they teach in and year they were hired. The professors in the Seidman College of Business’ Finance Department are the highest paid, with even assistant professors hired as recently as this academic year making $155,000. Meanwhile, a professor in the College of Business’ Management Department that has taught at GVSU since 1988 makes only $92,118. 

Regardless of department or level of education, all but one visiting faculty member made under $80,000, with a majority making between $50-60,000. 

Visiting faculty, affiliate, associate and adjunct professors received a $1,000 pay increase from the 2024 school year, on average, while professors received a slightly higher $4,000 pay increase, on average, in comparison to the minimum $10,000 pay raise that many administrators received. 

“Compensation at GVSU is based on analysis of market data and job performance while placing responsible stewardship of our resources at the forefront of our process,” said University Director of Human Resources H. Julian Woods. “This ensures financial stability while offering fair, competitive pay for our faculty, staff and student employees.”

According to the University’s Human Resources page, salaries for executive, administrative and professional (EAP) positions are set at 80-120% of the market average for each position. Salaries above the maximum must be justified in writing by the appointing officer and approved by human resources. Executive salaries are determined by Mantella, while the Board of Trustees determines the president’s salary.

Alongside administrative salaries, GVSU raised tuition for the 11th consecutive year, with the average yearly increase rising from 4% to nearly 5% in the last three years, citing insufficient funding, while over $3 million have gone toward the top 10 paid administrators alone. Students paid an average of $734 more in tuition fees than last year, while housing costs have risen by an average of $170 per semester and meal plans have increased by $100 since last school year.