Background
Michelle D. Griggs was born in Rockford, IL, and raised in Salinas, CA. Her family relocated to what is now her hometown of Freeport, IL, where she graduated with a Commendation from Freeport Sr. High School in 1986. She begins her first year at Greenville College, as the Director of Multicultural and Cross-Cultural Programs after coming from the St. Louis Public School system where she taught as a Special Education teacher, focusing on resource students in American Lit., and Career English. Michelle served her community and church at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church for 11 years. She was a member of the NAACP chapter of Bloomington-Normal, a Mt. Pisgah choir member, Missionary Team, Singles Ministry and Praise team member as well.

A graduate of Illinois State University, Michelle has worked as a Night Operations Manager for the Residential Life Department at ISU (1991-1993). Michelle began her career in Multicultural Education at Illinois State University where she served her as the Coordinator for the Multicultural Mentorship Project. During her tenure, she co-authored a grant with Dr. Norvella Carter and received funding for the Urban Initiative Program called the Multicultural mentorship Project (MMP). From 1994-1997, Michelle worked at Mitsubishi Motor Manufactures of America in Normal, IL. During which time she was a social as well as religious liaison for several Japanese employees. Later, she was employed with AFNI as a Corporate Trainer from 1998-2000. At AFNI, Michelle taught under the company Foundations of Management program the following courses: Coaching for Performance, Interviewing Skills, The New Supervisor, Giving and Receiving Feedback, Fostering Ethics and Integrity, Creating Performance Documentation, Team Coaching and Preventing Workplace Violence. In 2000-2001 year, Michelle worked in customer service for Verizon Wireless in Alpharetta, GA. Then she and her husband relocated back to the St. Louis area where she began her teaching career in the St. Louis Public School system.

Education and Scholarship
Michelle graduated December 18, 2005 with her second Masters Degree in Special Education with a specialization in Cross-Categorical Education. She graduated from Illinois State University with her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction in December 1998. Her focus was Multicultural Education, Diversity and Training. She earned her B.S. May of 1993, again from ISU focusing on Political Science, Global Studies.

Institutional Connection
Greenville College is a four-year, coeducational Christian liberal arts college located in Greenville, IL. Founded in 1892, it is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. Approximately 980 traditional students come from 40 states and 8 foreign countries, divided almost equally among men and women. The Adult Studies division, including undergraduate, degree-completion and graduate students, serves an additional 250 students. Greenville is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Illinois Office of Education. Greenville holds membership in the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), Christian College Coalition, and Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Experience in the Position
Michelle has extensive experience and involvement in youth development, and advising, particularly in an urban setting. She is a certified Fred Pryor Seminars, Creative Techniques Trainer and has extensive religious leadership training through the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church educational curriculum Total Church Life. She is also a certified soft skills trainer, and curriculum developer.

Opportunities that Michelle has experienced include: Diversity Management, Statistical research and development, managing curricular and co-curricular duties, developing and envisioning institutional goals, high school and college level teaching and faculty training seminars; curriculum development; student development; extensive service and background in Christian education curriculum and training; Budget Management; Business and Team management; Supervision and advising at the University level Program and Community Development.

Responsibilities
Michelle promotes the development of cross-cultural courses under the General Education requirement supported by various institutional funds. She also sponsors Mosaic, and is advisor to the Inter-cultural Board; promotes CCCU and other related off-campus semester programs. She is responsible for coordinating the development and expansion of cross-cultural experiences on and off campus as a campus Designated Student Officer and member of NAFSA. Michelle is also a facilitator of the ACI College Readiness Program, and College Success Network.

Guiding Theme
There have been several key, defining moments in my life that have brought me to truly believe and trust God for everything. I am constantly reminded, to “walk by faith and not by sight..”, 2 Corinthians 5:7 and, that I must always “trust in the lord with all my heart…” Proverbs 3:5-6. By keeping God first in everything, we can't go wrong in anything. Multiculturalism, diversity and, ethnicity are often challenged and underappreciated. However, I agree with my predecessor and I too believe, “..so in Christ we who are many form one body and each belong to the other…” Romans 12: 5-6.