In This Issue

November 2025 – Dean’s message

 

My silences had not protected me. Your silences will not protect you

--Audre Lorde

 

A November message must always center on, or at least mention, gratitude. So I’m getting right to it: I’m grateful for so much. These days I’m especially grateful for colleagues and mentors (many of you on this mailing list) who inspire me. You who are brave to speak up in the face of wrongs. You who are action oriented to support Replenish when students and their families are hungriest. You who are battling health challenges and are not fully well. You who show up when you may not feel much like showing up. For you I am grateful.

 

A faculty colleague recently observed to me that “Brooks faculty are a vocal bunch.” I concurred, and not without some pride. Thanks for what you do and please don’t fall silent.

October was Sustainability month and there were so many great events and milestones to celebrate! 

Lillian Reiner, a student with the Lanthorn interviewed Yumiko Jakobcic, director of the Office of Sustainability Practices about recycling initiatives across campus. Read the full article HERE 

The Climate Change Education Solutions Network hosted a summit from October 14th - 16th  which featured a number of presentations aligned with the summits theme "Rethinking the Role of Education in Times of Climate Emergency: Reflect, Repair, Regenerate." View the 2025 highlights. 

Grand Valley State University was featured in the Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2026 edition. GVSU received a Green rating of 99/99 and moved from number 27 to number 13 in the "Top 50 Green Colleges" List. 

Faculty, Staff and Students of Brooks enjoyed a number of other great events related to sustainability including the annual Harvest party and a honey bottling event!

Some Brooks faculty & staff gathered in late October to bid Farewell to Dean's office temp Irene fountain. Irene has worked a number of roles across many areas of GVSU over the years but most recently she spent 7 months in the Brooks College Deans office assisting faculty, staff, and students of Brooks College and easing the transition during the many recent staffing changes in the Dean's office. Colleagues celebrated Irene's hard work by enjoying a cake made by Dean's Administrative assistant Abby Mcclure and wearing pink and purple attire! 

The GVSU Police Department will be utilizing Lake Ontario Hall for their annual training on Sunday, December 14th. It is requested that faculty and staff plan accordingly and vacate the building by no later than 1pm on that date. 

In her role as a Faculty Fellow, Ellen Shupe is working to spread the word about international virtual exchange and providing resources to help faculty who may be interested in integrating it into their courses. 

If you’re interested in using virtual exchange in a winter semester course, this is a perfect time to find a teaching partner. One way to do this is by attending a partnering fair, in which interested instructors post descriptions of their courses and then meet to chat about possible collaborations. There are two virtual partnering fairs scheduled over the next few weeks. The first is sponsored by COIL Connect and will take place at 10am on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with a pre-training session Nov. 6. More information and the registration link can be found here. The second is sponsored by SUNY COIL and is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 10am. If you are interested in attending the event, let Ellen know so she can make sure you receive a link. Another good option for finding a partner is through the network managed by COIL Connect (see “courses seeking partners”). If you would like to post a course, please send  Ellen a brief course description, the likely enrollment, and a list of potential partner disciplines. Ellen's work has also allowed her to meet  colleagues from a number of universities who might know of potential collaborators. Ellen would be happy to help you connect with them. If you’re interested in other ways of finding teaching partners or would like help navigating the partnering process or designing a project, feel free to email me her at shupee@gvsu.edu. 

Thanks for your interest in virtual exchange and for all you do to foster global learning in GVSU students!

The Inclusion and Equity Institute is hosting a number of upcoming workshops.

View the event list and details HERE

The Replenish Food drive is happening now through December 8th. A complete list of locations of donation boxes can be found online. 

Donations can be left in the box in the Brooks College Dean's office LOH 224! 

More than 2,000 GVSU students don’t have access to enough nutritious, affordable food, and our entire community is coming together to do something about it. Replenish offers perishable and non-perishable food items, personal care products, and household items for all enrolled GVSU students. Replenish is self-sustained by the GVSU campus community through donations and is anticipating an increased need. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT REPLENISH, AND MAKE A GIFT HERE:GVSU.EDU/GIVING/GIVINGTUESDAY

Next week is Global Horizons Week in the Area and Global Studies program. This year, six exciting events are scheduled throughout the week that will highlight our academic programs, experience diverse cultures, and reflect how global events and issues can impact our local communities. All GVSU faculty, staff, and students are welcome to attend any or all of the events. All events are INT 100/201 approved. View more information and event details HERE

Santos Ramos a SIS Assistant professor was awarded a grant of  $150,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to support Xicano and Latine food systems work with communities in Michigan, in collaboration with the Masa Center.

Dan Cope a SIS Affiliate professor brought the students in her INT 100: Reflect, Connect, Engage class to volunteer supporting the work being done at the Replenish Basic Needs Center to combat food insecurity on campus. Read the full GV Next article HERE

Many Brooks Faculty and staff were involved in the 2025 Teach-in. The Teach-in  is intended to address topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation. The broad learning objectives of Teach-In: Power, Privilege, and Critical Conversations aimed to raise awareness, inform, create dialogue, and motivate action. Laurence Jose, Karen Gipson and Callie Youngman were among the presenters.  

When our students graduate, they don’t just leave with a diploma, they leave with direction.

We’ll be highlighting all of the programs and centers across Brooks College over the next few months and we look forward to sharing our student and faculty successes with you.

One recent Grand Valley graduate turned his Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) degree into a career in Forestry and Resources management for a major utility company in Phoenix, Arizona. His story is more than a success, it’s a reflection of what happens when interdisciplinary learning meets real-world application.

“My time working for Brooks College was my first real taste of a project-based office environment, which translated perfectly to geospatial work,” he shared. “The ENS program gave me the freedom to supplement my core curricula with GIS and natural resource skills that expanded my horizons tremendously.”

This is the kind of impact we help create. The ENS program thrives because of the collaboration and support of faculty and staff across disciplines and this student’s story reflects how a well-rounded, hands on education can help students solve complex challenges and open doors to meaningful careers. The mentorship and support of faculty, staff, and community members make all the difference.

Investing in interdisciplinary education isn’t just good for students, it’s good for the future.

November 26th - 30th- Thanksgiving Day recess

December 6th- Classes end

December 6th- Commencement

December 6th - 13th- Examinations

December 13th- Semester ends

December 16th- Grades due

January 12th- Classes begin

January 19th- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day recess

March 8 - 15- Spring break

April 25- Classes end

April 25 - May 2- Examinations

May 1st- Commencement

May 5th- Grades due

Note: partial term courses have different tuition and refund deadlines. View additional deadlines in the course index. 

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