Vennie Gore is the Senior Vice President for Student Life & Engagement at Michigan State University. He administers housing and culinary programs for 17,000+ students. In his role, Vennie also oversees a multitude of auxiliary units, and units within the areas of Diversity, Equity and Belonging, Student Involvement and Leadership, Student Development and External Relations, University Health and Wellness, University Licensing, Digital Strategies, Human Resources, Assessments, Project Planning and Health and Safety.

Vennie has served in various leadership roles including co-chair of the University Strategic Plan and the Multicultural Center project steering committee. He has been instrumental in expanding student support programs, on-campus University Health and Wellness initiatives, and spearheaded many other initiatives. Vennie’s efforts have been central to our student success efforts – both in academics, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and leadership. 

Vennie is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and received his master’s degree in college student personnel from Indiana University. He received his Executive Management Certification from the Foster School of Business and participated in the Institute for Educational Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Vennie has served as a member of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Student Segmentation Advisory Board and been a member of the board of directors for the Capital Area United Way. Among his various leadership and service awards, Vennie most recently received the Diamond Award from the American College Personnel Association in March 2023.