Geri Kelley retires after 17.5 years of leading the college’s communications and marketing
February 5, 2025
Geri Kelley concedes she didn’t know what she was getting into when she applied for a job with the College of Human Medicine.
She already had many years of experience in public relations and marketing – and had higher education and health care clients – when she heard the college had an opening for a communications manager as it was poised to expand its presence in Grand Rapids.
“I want that job,” she told her husband, Richard, and their two sons.
As an MSU alum, “I bleed green,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of something so exciting that could have such an impact on my city and my alma mater.” 
After a 17.5-year whirlwind, including the opening of the Secchia Center in Grand Rapids and many other projects, Kelley retired on Feb. 3.
“She’s been part of the heart and soul of this college,” said Jerry Kooiman, the assistant dean for external relations who hired her. “She’s a tireless worker. No job was too big. She jumped in and said, ‘We can do this.’”
While countless others participated in different phases on the college’s expansion, Kelley initially was a one-woman public information department charged with telling the story.
“If you’re doing all this stuff and nobody knows about it, it doesn’t help fulfill all the planning,” Kooiman said.
He and Kelley thought they would be able to slow their pace after the Secchia Center opened in 2010, but university and college leaders had other plans. 
They doubled the college’s enrollment, recruited researchers, and built a research center in Grand Rapids. They created a public health division and expanded the campus in Flint. They formed partnerships with Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health) in Grand Rapids and Henry Ford Health in Detroit and opened community campuses in Traverse City, Midland, Southfield, and Detroit.
“In order to do that, you have to communicate,” said College of Human Medicine Dean Aron Sousa. “Geri has been so key to our success. She has this wonderful enthusiasm. I think she really does love it and believe in it.”
Kelley leaves a team of four to do the work she once did alone. After a nationwide search, administrators found the best candidate to replace her already on the staff. Amy Nienhouse, hired by Kelley in 2014, succeeded her as senior communications and marketing officer.
“Geri has been an amazing boss and a friend,” Nienhouse said, “and she’s been my mentor. I would not be here without her.” 
Retirement will give Kelley time to travel, read, and attend concerts, a passion she and Richard share.
But she conceded, “I don’t know how I’m going to feel. It’s hard to envision how much I’ll miss everyone or what it feels like to actually step away and not always be checking my phone and email.”
Cleaning out her office recently, Kelley was reminded of all that had transpired. “I’m glad I didn’t know what I was getting into,” she said, but added: “I wouldn’t have traded the experience and the friendships I’ve made for all the money in the world.”