CEO
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Nicole Gasper has served in public education for over 25 years as an administrator and educator who is passionate about providing high quality learning environments for all students. She brings a strength-based perspective to her leadership style, intentionally focusing on leveraging the talents of those around her. Her goal is to understand each person’s skills, and then create a culture in which all team members can contribute their best. She approaches her role as a leader of students in a similar way, creating a culture of support and accountability so that the students can develop leadership and problem-solving skills.
Prior to joining WMAA in July of 2019, Ms. Gasper worked in the Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) for over a decade, advancing from Curriculum Consultant to Chief Instructional Officer. Her experiences include career tech development, successful grant writing, college preparatory programs, STEM programming, and supporting K-12 districts on curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She is an active professional in her field, serving on several statewide educational boards and committees.
Ms. Gasper also served as a Secondary Coordinator at Del Mar Academy, a remote bilingual International Baccalaureate school in the jungle of Costa Rica. She became engaged with this school as a result of her travels. This experience provided her with a unique global perspective on culture, as well as on English as a second language.
Ms. Gasper holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Supervision from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI. In her leisure time, she enjoys exercising, traveling, and spending time with her family.