Kelly Genei, a professor at Cleary University, has been named the institution’s new dean of undergraduate studies.
In her new role, Genei will be responsible for advancing Cleary’s undergraduate programs and activities, working closely with key academic, student affairs and operational staff. She will also support, supervise and evaluate day-to-day undergraduate classroom operations, communications and instructional processes.
Genei, a Hartland High School graduate, joined Cleary University in 2019 as a member of the adjunct faculty and DECA advisor. A year later, she became an associate professor and earning the Vince Linder Teaching Excellence Award, a student and staff selected honor named for the man who was provost and vice president of academic affairs at Cleary for more than 25 years; the award is given to a faculty member who maintains a culture of excellence and cares deeply about student success.
Genei grew up in Hartland, graduated from Hartland High School, and resides in Brighton, where she serves on the City of Brighton’s Zoning Board of Appeals. She races with an adult ski league, and camps and hikes with her dog.
“I am honored to be selected for this role in the community where I was raised,” Genei said. “As it did for me, a business education can help students develop technical knowledge and practice the interpersonal skills necessary to be an asset as future leaders.”
Genei earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwood University in Midland, where she triple-majored in advertising, marketing and management, and minored in economics and language arts. She received a master’s degree from the Devos Graduate School of Management at Northwood’s international partner school in Montreux, Switzerland. She is currently working on a doctorate degree in business with a focus on entrepreneurship from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Genei has completed certifications in people analytics, operations and customer analytics, all from Wharton University of Pennsylvania. She has a lean manufacturing and Six Sigma Green Belt certification from the University of Michigan.
“One of our strongest and most valuable resources at Cleary is our faculty,” she said. “They are experts in their field and bring that experience into the classroom. I, too, was a small business owner with a love for education and appreciation for the professors who contributed to my success. I am looking forward to working alongside every member of the academic team at Cleary to further develop an instructional system that provides a student-centered experience.
“What makes Cleary special is our faculty, advisors, coaches and staff – everyone working cohesively to guide our students to lifelong success.”
