Profile

• Ph.D. in Biology, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
• M.S. in Biology, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
• B.S. in Wildlife Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Dr. Michelle Gilley serves as Associate Provost; Dean of Natural, Mathematical, and Health Sciences; and Associate Professor of Biology at Mars Hill University. In her administrative roles, she enjoys solving complex challenges, fostering innovation, and developing academic programs that prepare students for today’s workforce while expanding educational opportunities. As a first-generation college graduate from a small town in Alabama, she is especially passionate about removing barriers that prevent students from pursuing higher education and achieving their personal and professional goals.

Dr. Gilley brings more than 30 years of experience in environmental consulting and wildlife conservation to her leadership, teaching, and mentorship. She is the co-founder and President of Borealis Biological, an environmental consulting firm specializing in regulatory compliance, endangered species conservation, and natural resource management throughout the eastern United States. Her continued engagement with government agencies and private industry provides students with practical, real-world perspectives that connect classroom learning to professional practice.

With more than 20 years of higher education experience, Dr. Gilley has held lecturer positions at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Auburn University, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington before joining Mars Hill University in 2015. She teaches courses in human anatomy and physiology, comparative vertebrate anatomy, mammalogy, vertebrate taxonomy, and animal behavior. Her research focuses on animal communication, behavioral ecology, and the conservation of endangered wildlife, particularly bats and flying squirrels. She is passionate about mentoring undergraduate researchers and creating experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for graduate study, professional careers, and lifelong success.