The WISE Team

Melissa Gross, PhD

WISE Faculty Director

mgross@umich.edu

Melissa Gross is committed to student success in her teaching, research and in WISE. As a faculty member in Kinesiology, her scholarship includes studies of human movement and innovative pedagogies. Reach out to Melissa if you are interested in contributing to the success of WISE through partnership or donations. 

Rachel Niemer, PhD

WISE Managing Director

rkniemer@umich.edu

734-615-4456

Rachel Niemer aims to make higher education more equitable and just. As managing director of Women in Science and Engineering at University of Michigan, Rachel collaboratively develops initiatives to support the academic and professional success of women and gender minorities in STEM programs on campus. Rachel would love to hear from you about your experiences in STEM!

Eric Aiken

Program Manager for Student Support and Development

eaiken@umich.edu

Eric Aiken serves as a liaison for the WISE unit and the Center for Engineering Diversity & Outreach (CEDO). He works to identify and address the needs of women-identified undergrad and graduate students by creating co-curricular structures to support and advance their academic and pre-professional success. Eric looks forward to meeting with all individuals seeking to advance the mission of Inclusion and Equity on campus. 

Victoria Alden

WISE Program Officer

vial@umich.edu

734-615-4455

Victoria Alden calls on her experience in program development, STEM outreach, informal education, and evaluation methods to design, host, and refine our signature programming. She works with student groups to create impactful programs, other UM units to better serve the needs of women in STEM, and community partners to meet or mentor the leaders and best at Michigan. Reach out to Victoria if you want to collaborate with WISE for your programs and events or promote your events to our audience of women in STEM at U-M. If she doesn’t have an answer to your question about Women in Science and Engineering, she knows who will.

Amy Chappius

Development & External Relations Director

chappuia@umich.edu

734-730-6774

Amy received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Communication from Lake Forest College in 2009. Since then, she has worked in various positions, including Assistant Director of Special Events, at Northwestern University, and most recently as Senior Associate Director of Alumni Relations in Michigan Medicine’s Office of Development. Amy brings with her a wealth of experience in fundraising, both professionally and as a volunteer. If you are interested in learning more about ways to support WISE, please reach out to Amy.

Ronotta Holliday

WISE Senior Administrative Assistant

rnhollid@umich.edu

734-615-4455

Though her path has not been easy, Ronotta Holliday has persisted in both her education and supporting other women. Early in her career, Ronotta directed a community center in a low-income neighborhood, where she spent a lot of time working with girls to enhance their self-esteem and academic performance. Ronotta could relate to the experiences of these young women and was determined to make a difference. She secured a grant from the city of Ann Arbor to continue this work and partnered with the Women’s Center of America to create an empowerment program for girls. In 2009, Ronotta made the leap to return to school full-time, earning her Associate’s Degree from Washtenaw Community College and then transferring to earn her B.A. in psychology with a minor in marketing at the University of Michigan – Dearborn. Though she faced financial hardships during these years, Ronotta never gave up. Ronotta went on to work as a Senior Clerk and Administrative Assistant for Michigan Dining, where she continued to learn and excel. Tapping into her marketing skills, Ronotta rebranded Java Blu coffee shop into a Starbucks Café and helped run events that resulted in several dining awards. She has also worked as a freelance marketing assistant for multiple companies, including BNA Management, and a Business Assistant for Michigan Radio. Now a mother of two, Ronotta is only more determined to demonstrate that it is never too late to achieve your dreams. Ronotta earned acceptance to the School of Business at the University of Michigan – Dearborn, where she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in marketing.