How We Roll
Brooks folks roll differently. We roll our eyes but roll in to the spaces where students need us. Employed in many different roles, we roll up our sleeves to get the work done in advancing equity, sustainability, writing skills, or critical thinking.
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Copyright (c) 2024 by the Richard Scarry Corporation AG. Image used with permission of Huck Scarry
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Despite our distinctive personalities and programs, it’s sometimes hard to tell us apart. In attending end-of-year presentations by students, I often found it difficult to know from the topics which showcase I was hearing. The first several GSI presentations, for example, were all on gender disparities or women’s empowerment. Integrative Studies presentations highlight environmental concerns, and WGS students do deep dives into questions of diversity and equity or systemic racism. What was common to all, though, was the fact that students are driven by the stuff that matters. The vexing problems of humanity and earth are what matter. They are what students—and faculty—are passionate about. We share the concerns and the passion, and we approach both in our own way.
Brooks College is a unique and wonderful collection of committed students, faculty, and staff. We bring our unique passions and talents. We show up to all the spaces. That’s how we roll. [dibs on the Pickle Car].
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Mark Schaub, Dean of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies
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SAP Farm Shares Now Available |
The Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) now has farm shares available for this growing season! You can sign up for a full share or a half share for each session, and receive weekly produce grown sustainably by the devoted staff and students of the SAP farm. For full details, visit the SAP website and sign up today for your share!
Farm Share Sessions:
Session One: May 7th - June 11th (6 weeks)
Session Two: June 18th - August 6th (8 weeks)
Session Three: August 13th - October 1st (8 weeks)
Session Four: October 8th - November 12th (6 weeks)
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The ENS Academic & Service Awards honors graduating Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) majors and minors who have achieved academic excellence, as well as students who have demonstrated an exceptional level of dedication to the ENS program or field while at GVSU. The event featured a light breakfast and a time to gather with family and peers to enjoy well-earned recognition on the day of graduation. Certificates were distributed by Program Director Amy McFarland, with additional remarks by Jack Mangala, Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Congratulations to all!
** ENS Major
* ENS Minor
- Honors College
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Academic Achievement Distinguished Service
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Miranda Gonyeau**
Katherine Carron**-
Annabelle Robinson**
Madeline Brennan**
Ella Carr**
Vladimir Tomorsky**
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| Avery Koan**
Emma Sherman**
Carly Sowirka**-
Kaitlin Escobar**
Maxwell Gradisher*
Jacob DeBoer*
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| John Read**
Michael King**
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The end of the academic year always brings a whirlwind of showcases, where the students of the various School of Interdisciplinary Studies (SIS) programs present their projects. Some presentations are done virtually, and some involve in-person events, or a combination of both.
This month, we held the Sustainability Showcase, Global Studies and Social Impact (GSI) Senior Showcase, the Integrative Studies (INT) Capstone Showcase, and the Lifelong Educational Attainment for Determined Students (LEADS) showcase. We are proud of our students, who always find innovative and unique ways to explore the topics they choose to research!
The Sustainability Showcase is always a mix of student and faculty presentations, blended with community partners who are invested in promoting sustainability in our community.
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Student art projects feature recycled materials that express environmental themes.
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Above: Two ENS students chat between presentations at the Sustainability Showcase
Below: After the presentation portion of the showcase, students set up tables with their projects displayed, to have an interactive dialogue with attendees.
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Fellow students enjoyed exploring the work of their classmates.
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Community sustainability partners, such as Community Action House, New City Neighbors, Community Food Club of Greater Grand Rapids, Access of West Michigan, and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, had tables at the showcase to provide information on their work and services.
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On April 9, students of the Global Studies and Social Impact program (GSI) presented their research projects. The topics were widely varied but all extremely relevant issues that were explored in very intelligent and progressive ways. The audience enjoyed free pizza while they soaked in all of the outstanding presentations!
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Left: INT senior Jason King gives his presentation.
Right: INT senior Elaina Northuis gives her presentation.
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On April 24, the Integrative Studies (INT) Showcase was held in the Regency Room of the Richard M. DeVos Center on the Pew/Grand Rapids campus. The INT senior students presented their these and projects.
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Left: INT senior Cassie Kendra was presented with the Wendy Wenner Outstanding Thesis Award, by the founding Dean of Brooks College, Wendy Wenner herself.
Right: The INT alumni panelists were Joe Kiser, Brielle Friar, and Julia Ervin.
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Along with outstanding presentations, a panel of INT alumni shared their insights and reflected on their Integrative Studies degrees. The Stan Krohmer Outstanding Project Award was presented to Rachel Enders, and the Wendy Wenner Outstanding Thesis Award was presented to Cassie Kendra.
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We bid adieu to a valued colleague this month, associate professor Brent Smith of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. Brent has been a part of GVSU and Brooks College since 2010. His warmth is cherished by our Brooks College community, as he always made time for a chat or stroll, connecting with others on a personal level. At his retirement gathering, Brent delivered a moving and meaningful speech sharing his insights and journey. Explore this spotlight article on our Brooks College website to delve into his profound words.
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Writing Center Update: Night Against Procrastination (NAP) |
On April 11-12, the Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors welcomed 131 students who attended to work on their end-of-semester papers and projects. This annual event is called Night Against Procrastination (NAP). Each year, we spread out across Lake Ontario Hall and designate each room by a different noise level to account for student preferences.
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Meanwhile, we provide coffee/tea/hot chocolate, brain food, and midnight pizza to encourage productivity. Writing consultants are staffed throughout the night to work with students on their writing projects.
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Based on responses for the event, advertising, word-of-mouth, and faculty encouragement were the biggest contributors to our strong attendance. That said, after several years of running this event, we are seeing more and more students who are making it an annual tradition. Student responses continue to request more NAP-type events. Participants had a great time and made huge strides in their end-of-semester work!
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Introducing the Writing Center mascot, "The Great Write Shark!"
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Brooks College Photo Montage |
Check out what has been happening around Brooks College since the last newsletter!
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The Honors College faculty and staff gathering outside to view the eclipse together.
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On April 8, the eclipse brought everyone outside and had them looking skyward.
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Top Left: Jakia Marie (AAAS program coordinator/assistant professor)
Top Right: Lynnette Keen (Dean's Office Assistant) and Megan Royce (Dean's Office student worker)
Bottom Left: Lynnette Keen
Bottom Right: Sammie Craig (School of Interdisciplinary Studies student worker)
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The eclipse viewing party at Lake Ontario Hall.
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Dean Mark Schaub staring at the sun (with protective eyewear, of course).
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Anthony Meyer took his INT 100 "Reflect, Connect, Engage" students on a field trip to the Padnos Recycling facility in downtown Grand Rapids. They saw cranes, giant magnets, and shredders that eat cars and trailers. Billions of pounds of material are kept out of landfills and recycled for new uses through the facility.
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On April 10, the Frederik Meijer Honors College partnered with the Joseph Stevens Freedom Endowment and the Jewish Federation of Grand Rapids for a guest lecture from Dr. Simone Gigliotti (Royal Holloway, University of London). The talk, held in Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew campus, explored how Jewish organizations used film to support Holocaust survivors and refugees.
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April 19 was Sustainability Community Service Day at the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP). The day began with a land blessing led by the West Michigan Jewels of Africa. The organizers of this event included Crystal Scott-Tunstall (ENS internship coordinator and SIS affiliate professor) and Yumi Jakobcic (Director of the Office of Sustainability Practices).
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After the land blessing, volunteers helped to prepare the community garden beds for the upcoming growing season. There are 18 beds available for rent in the SAP community garden. If you are interested in growing, visit the SAP website to register for a garden plot! The sign-up period ends June 15.
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Top: Mary Williford (SIS office assistant) and Jen Cathey (General Education office coordinator)
Bottom: Amy McFarland (ENS Program Director) and Julia Mason (WGS Program Director)
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We continued our finals week tradition, Soup's On! Brooks faculty, staff, and students enjoyed a selection of soups with cornbread muffins and crackers on the side.
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Shajuana Johnson, who is majoring in Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGS) with a minor in African/African American Studies (AAAS), presents her work to professor Leifa Mayers (Honors faculty-in-residence, SIS).
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Student Scholars Day events were held on April 9-11. Brooks College student Shajuana Johnson presented during the poster session.
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On April 15, we gathered to celebrate Brent Smith and wish him a Happy Retirement! His family was in attendance, as well as colleagues past and present, to send him into retirement with love and care. Best wishes, Brent! Enjoy this next chapter.
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Amy McFarland (ENS Program Director), Jack Mangala (Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies), and Crystal Scott-Tunstall (Affiliate professor and ENS Internship Coordinator)
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On April 26, the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) program held the Academic and Service Awards ceremony.
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The Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS) seniors gathered together to decorate their graduation caps!
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Top: Randee Gage, posing with her supervisor and mentor Ginele Johnson (SIS academic program coordinator), graduated with a minor in Digital Studies.
Bottom: Sammie Craig, also posing with supervisor and mentor Ginele Johnson, graduated with a minor in Human Rights.
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Two very special Brooks College students graduated on April 26. Congratulations, Randee and Sammie! We will miss you but we know you both have bright futures and will do amazing things.
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Left to right: Becky Williams, Ellen Adams, Amy McFarland, Joe DeLeon, Danielle DeMuth, Crystal Scott-Tunstall, Ayana Weekley, Dan Cope.
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Brooks College faculty gathered before the graduation ceremony on April 26 at Van Andel Arena.
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Jeremiah Cataldo, Frederik Meijer Honors College professor, was awarded a Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence (CSCE) grant for his proposed project, "Anti-Intellectualist Trends in Biblical Interpretation."
Congratulations, Jeremiah!
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Denise Goerisch, Program Director of Integrative Studies, published an article, “Considering ethics of care in online learning spaces,” which she co-authored with PMASI student Ty Krueger and Honors alum Madison Edwards in Digital Geography and Society.
This article was the product of a pilot project that the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) funded. It is very exciting to see what came of that project finally in print.
Congratulations, Denise!
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Jack Mangala, Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, has contributed two learning modules to the Migration Law course hosted by the online learning platform edX.
At the invitation of the Belgian University Foundation, Dr. Mangala will travel to Brussels in May to participate as a trainer in the EU-sponsored certificate in transitional justice.
Dr. Mangala will return to John Cabot University (Rome) this summer as visiting faculty.
Well done, Jack!
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Crystal Scott-Tunstall, affiliate professor and Environmental & Sustainability Studies (ENS) internship coordinator, has been featured in an online article titled Women Making History: Celebrating Women's History Month.
The Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC) co-develops, facilitates, advocates for, and supports implementation of policies that advance food justice and food sovereignty in Chicago and across the region. Crystal was one of two women featured in their blog centered on Women's History Month dated March 27, 2024. Crystal's commitment to community advocacy for an equitable food system was highlighted in the feature. Crystal also has a community garden in Chicago named in her honor, as she grew up in Chicago and was making an impact at an early age. To read more about Crystal's life, check out this spotlight feature on our website.
Congratulations, Crystal!
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Ramya Swayamprakash, SIS assistant professor, was awarded a Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence (CSCE) grant for her proposed project, "Islands in the Straits: Technology, Transformation, and Remarking Nature along the Detroit River 1860-1960."
Congratulations, Ramya!
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| Ayana Weekley, Julia Mason, and Danielle DeMuth |
Ayana Weekley, Julia Mason (Director of WGS), and Danielle DeMuth, associate professors in SIS, have been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGS) will use the funds to advance the study of gender, race, and sexuality. Grant activities include supporting on-going programs and new initiatives including discussion groups, speakers, and building connections with regional WGS faculty to amplify work in the discipline. Check out this GVSU Forum article which details their accomplishment.
Congratulations, all!
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Congratulations to SIS assistant professors Daniela Marini and Max Counter on the birth of their daughter Ruby! Little Ruby was born on April 1. Welcome to the Brooks College family, Ruby!
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Congratulations to Mary Williford, Office Assistant for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, on her engagement to Lee Hill in March 2024!
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Lisa Perhamus, Director of the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse, will be joining Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, effective August 6, 2024. Since its founding in 2013, Lisa has been establishing and growing the center while also maintaining her role as a faculty member in the department of Literacy, Educational Foundations, and Technology. Lisa has been a part of the College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI) since 2011 when she joined them as an assistant professor of Educational Foundations. We are excited to bring her all the way over to Brooks College and look forward to seeing the valuable work that the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse will continue to do! We appreciate you very much.
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| Max Counter and Bertha Amisi have been promoted to tenure track faculty and are now assistant professors in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. They will both be a part of the 2024 Tenure Track Cohort.
Congratulations!
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The 2024 Tenure Track Cohort has been hired! We have 7 outstanding colleagues joining Brooks College and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies in the fall along with 2 internal promotions. We will introduce them in detail in an upcoming newsletter. We are pleased to announce the cohort roster:
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2024 Tenure Track Cohort
Bertha Amisi
Pratitsha Sané Bhattarai
Max Counter
Israel Dominguez
Rachel Fox
Hector Lopez
Janelle Malagon
Lidia Ponce de la Vega
Malik Raymond
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Call for GVSU Teach-In Proposals |
Since 2014, the University Academic Senate and Student Senate have co-sponsored an annual Teach-In, with support from the Divisions of Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Inclusion & Equity. Teach-In seeks to create an affirming climate for GVSU community members. Teach-In is a GVSU-centered social justice event, featuring sessions that engage participants across a variety of challenging issues. Students, staff, and faculty are invited to engage with Teach-In’s participatory and informative sessions to advance equity on campus and in the communities we serve.
How to engage with the 2024 Teach-In:
Mark these dates on your calendar, plan to attend, and encourage others to attend.
Consider presenting a session. Each session must have at least two presenters, preferably one being a student. Additional guidelines for proposals may be found here.
Proposals may be submitted here, from now until October 13.
GVSU’s Teach-In aspires to be engaging, informative, and promote dialogue in a transformative way for all participants; the sessions may or may not be academic in nature. All members of the GVSU community - students, faculty, and staff - may be engaged via attending and/or presenting sessions. For questions or more information on the 2024 Teach-In, please email teachin@gvsu.edu.
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May 6: Spring/Summer Semester begins
May 13: Brooks College Leadership Council Meeting (Virtual) 9:00 a.m.
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1 Campus Drive
224 Lake Ontario Hall
Allendale, MI 49401
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