Dear Campus Community,

As we begin a new academic year, I am energized by the opportunities ahead and grateful for the people and partnerships that make Grand Valley thrive. Together, we are opening doors for learners, strengthening our communities, and building on the distinctive contributions our university makes across Michigan.

Today, our Board of Trustees met in Detroit, the hometown of our new Board Chair, Mikyia S. Aaron. It was a fitting place to begin this next chapter together. Grand Valley has deep roots in Southeast Michigan, and our presence reflects both what we have accomplished and our commitment to being an engaged, responsive partner in this region.

Our next chapter is not simply about expanding our footprint in Detroit. It is about creating a deeply connected approach where learning, innovation, talent, and opportunity reinforce one another. Grand Valley brings academic capabilities, research, applied learning, and statewide connections. Together with the extraordinary talent, entrepreneurial energy, and community knowledge in Southeast Michigan, we can create opportunities that neither could achieve effectively alone.

Deepening Our Commitment to Southeast Michigan

For more than 30 years, Grand Valley has built meaningful relationships across Southeast Michigan through our charter schools, educational pathways, and connections with students, alumni, and community partners. Thousands of Lakers contribute to communities and industries throughout the state, and our momentum in this region continues to grow.

Through partnerships with Michigan Central, Anchor Detroit, and Wayne County Community College District, we envision a distributed presence connecting youth pathways, flexible academic programs, charter school partnerships, and transfer opportunities.

Last evening, we gathered with Southeast Michigan community leaders to share our impact and strengthen relationships. Being here is about more than expanding our presence. It is about listening, learning, and building on the strengths and goals of this community.

Our Charter Schools report included highlighting the extraordinary work of Kyle Smitley, co-founder and executive director of Detroit Achievement Academy and Detroit Prep. These outstanding charter public schools have served families since 2013 and 2016, respectively, creating opportunities for students to thrive in ways that extend well beyond standardized test results.

Kyle represents the exceptional school leaders, educators, families, and organizations who are investing their energy and hearts in Southeast Michigan. We are grateful for their trust and partnership as we work together to build pathways that help more young people realize their potential.

Expanding Opportunity for Today’s Learners

Our new interdisciplinary Computing degrees, intentionally pairing computing with Allied Health Sciences, Anthropology, Business, Mathematics, and Modern Languages, reflect our belief that technology's greatest potential emerges when technical expertise meets the humanities. These programs prepare learners to apply their knowledge across disciplines and to the complex challenges facing our communities.

Provost Jen Drake and VP Van Dam of Omni have collaborated to expand access to a highly curated set of academic programs needed across the state through GVSU Online and other flexible learning pathways. Learners need options that fit around employment, family responsibilities, and lives already underway. Flexible degrees, professional learning, transferable credentials, and stronger connections between institutions will help us meet learners where they are and support lifelong learning. 

Enrollment, Affordability, and Stewardship

Our enrollment report reinforced both the opportunity ahead and the role we all play in our success. While enrollment was 2.96% below our goal, we continue to be better positioned than many of our public university peers. Every interaction, academic experience, and community partnership is an opportunity to strengthen Grand Valley’s appeal, deliver on our promise, and help more learners thrive, and I appreciate everyone’s efforts across the university in this important work. 

We continue to see positive affordability trends and reduced loan debt for our learners. Growing grant and scholarship support is strengthening that work, with state aid nearly doubling over three years to $44.2 million. These resources make a meaningful difference for students and families making decisions about their future. And, we have been able to decrease our average net tuition cost to $6,430 in 2025–26, a decrease of approximately $1,200 over five years. 

These trends reflect meaningful progress and underscore that we must continue to be thoughtful stewards of our resources while ensuring a Grand Valley education remains attainable.

Gratitude for Talented Leadership

Sharing time with our talented partners in Detroit is important as we continue to define and deliver together on city and state needs. I am also grateful for our fully engaged Board of Trustees, who bring diverse expertise as educators, attorneys, business leaders, alumni, and community members. Their thoughtful perspectives and commitment to our mission strengthen our impact.

Today, we shared a heartfelt goodbye to Trustees Sue Jandernoa and Beth Emmitt, whose terms conclude at the end of the calendar year. It has been a privilege to work with, and learn from, both of them. We are deeply appreciative of their leadership, dedication, and service to Grand Valley.

As we look ahead, we have so much to build on: strong partnerships, talented colleagues, and a shared commitment to our learners and communities. Together, we will continue to build on these strengths and create new opportunities to make a difference across Michigan.

Thank you for your continued dedication to our learners, to one another, and to the communities we serve. I am grateful for all that you do to make Grand Valley a force for opportunity and impact across Michigan.

With gratitude,

Philly