In This Issue

January 2026– Dean’s Message

In blood I will write the story, the people's suffering in misery…

Today I raise my song to heaven,

my song, the voice of my people…

Today with poetry I claim life

– Calixta Gabriel Xiquín

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity for my first visit to Guatemala over this year’s Winter Break. The teachings of Mayan poet Calixta Gabriel Xiquín were very much reinforced by people I encountered in the western highlands, as well as at the ancient and contemporary Mayan worship sites I was able to visit. People come from the corn, are sustained by the corn, and become and feed the corn. After returning to the deep Winter of Michigan, I was excited to tell colleague Julia Mason about the “three sisters” plots I saw in remote villages in Guatemala—knowing that she has long centered teaching of the three sister approach to sustainable agriculture and nutrition in the Brooks course, WGS 335.

I’d also familiarized myself with the research by our colleague, Andy Schlewitz, who continues to examine the archival documents that reveal the patterns of horror that Guatemala in general and Mayan people in particular suffered through the 1980s civil war, often directly and indirectly as a result of US government policy.

Our Latin American Studies program (as well as others) helps students to understand the through-lines of history, culture, economics, and other forces. Our courses help make connections from past actions to current and future events. I feel so very fortunate to be working amidst of community of teacher-scholars who do this work, do it well, and remain passionate about what they do at the same time.

I trust your winter break helped nourish your body, your mind, and your passions. Our students will benefit from a healthy you as we start this new semester and this new year filled perhaps with dread, but also certainly with hope.

We hope everyone had an enjoyable break and we are wishing you all a lovely Winter 2026  semester! 

Brooks Staff in their holiday sweaters at the end of Fall 2025 semester. 

Join the School of Interdisciplinary Studies for the Winter 2026 Kick Off Open House!

A pizza party and a resource fair all in one, this event is a great opportunity to meet SIS students, faculty and advisors. Find out about internships, study abroad opportunities, career prospects and everything the School of Interdisciplinary Studies has to offer in a relaxing and fun open house atmosphere. Engage with campus resources and win prizes!

Whether you have already declared  a major or minor in one of our academic programs, or are interested in learning more about them, you are welcome to stop by and have your questions answered. 

January 30th, 12pm Grand River Room

Did you know there are tunnels underneath the GVSU campus? The tunnels carry steam, power, and data across campus and have been rumored to be haunted. Brooks College Dean, Mark Schaub has long referred to the tunnels as the GVSU “burrows” and curiosity about the tunnels and other campus infrastructure has inspired a Groundhog Day celebration that will allow staff and students to go into the basement of Lake Ontario Hall and view the entrance to the legendary GVSU “burrows”.  

The event will also feature a sneak peek at the upcoming Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS report. The Stars report is a self-reported performance assessment by University’s using Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) framework. The report helps measure university efforts in areas such as environmental curriculum, energy, waste, and more.  

Join us on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, From 9:00am-10:00am in 179 Lake Ontario Hall to celebrate sustainability and the promise of spring.

Summer in West Michigan provides students in ANY major the opportunity to have a rich and unique learning experience, earning 9 credits, while learning and working in West Michigan. Students learn from GVSU faculty, community leaders, and regional experts, work in worthwhile and fulfilling internships within the region, and connect with the land, history, and culture surrounding Grand Valley State University and West Michigan.

Encourage your students to apply before the Feb. 2nd deadline. You can find more information about Summer in West Michigan HERE.

The program will also be the main focus of the Brooks College Day of Giving campaign. You can expect more details on Day of Giving and how to donate to Summer In West Michigan in next month's newsletter! 

At this moment in our country and world, change is happening at a rapid pace. Some are excited by what they see as positive movement while others struggle with fear and anger over changes they see in negative terms. And yet, we live and work together on a shared campus. What does this mean for our campus community? What does this mean for you?

This Campus Conversation offers a space for the campus community to talk collectively about how people are doing. Our goal is to increase awareness, understanding, and mutual support on campus. Conversation can strengthen community.

The Conversation will be facilitated by the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse and  Mediation Services.

February 4th, 2026 6:30pm

This Event is INT 100/201 Approved! 

Please Register for the event. 

Nominate a Student for the Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy 
Do you know any students who would benefit from a high-impact leadership development program?  Nominations for the 2026-27 CLA cohort are open through 2/1/26.

The CLA is a year-long program for undergrad and graduate students across all academic disciplines who are dedicated to becoming more ethical and effective leaders. Students gain foundational leadership skills, learn from local leaders and mentors, and grow through self-reflection and peer learning. 

For more information or to nominate a student, go to GVSU.edu/hc/nominate  For any further questions, please reach out to cla@gvsu.edu .

The 30th Annual Student Scholars Day (SSD) at Grand Valley State University, taking place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026!

All GVSU students (undergraduate and graduate) are encouraged to present their scholarly and creative work at the 30th Annual Student Scholars Day (SSD). The Registration period is from February 9th, 2026 to February 27th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

The GVSU Inclusion and Equity Institute is committed to providing learning and development for faculty and staff to further knowledge, skills, and abilities related to these core values. Each week, the I&E Institute offers FREE, dynamic, and helpful workshops on a variety of topics. 

You can review the list of workshops HERE

With the start of the new year, you can expect to start hearing more about Workday Student. As a reminder, various student-related activities like registration and billing will launch in Workday beginning in late 2026 and continue throughout 2027.  By Fall 2027, all tasks currently performed in Banner will be fully transitioned to Workday. You can read about “what’s changing” What's Changing with Workday Student? - Workday @ GVSU - Grand Valley State University. If you have questions about things that are specific to how you currently use Banner and what that might look like in Workday Student, you can reach out to one of the Brooks College Project Team Members: Arnie VandeBrake, Robyn Toth, Jennifer Jameslyn, Kate VanDerKolk, or Julia Mason.

Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse at Grand Valley, directed by Lisa Perhamus, was identified as one of only 45 civic centers across the U.S in a report from the national organization, Heterodox Academy. GV is proud to be among the limited public institutions doing this work. 

Learn more about the Padnos/Sarosik Center for Civil Discourse HERE

Kary Wickham, an Academic and Enrichment Advisor in the Frederik Meijer Honors College was recently selected to be awarded the Outstanding Academic Advising and Student Services Award. We are so grateful to Kary for years of service to the university and  her outstanding commitment to our students. 

Kary will accept the award at the AP awards ceremony in April. 

Below is a list of our fellow colleagues who will be honored for reaching a milestone during the 2025 calendar year

10 years

Leifa Mayers

Jennifer Cathey

15 years

Ayana Weekley

Laurence Jose

20 years

Noreen Savage (retiree)

Jack Mangala

We are grateful for the award recipients and their many years of dedication to GVSU. The service awards celebration is on January 29th. 

In Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, we’re committed to connecting faculty and students with resources that enhance teaching and student success. Each month, we’re spotlighting our academic programs and centers and sharing the student, staff, and faculty successes with you. 

This month, we’re featuring the Fred Meijer Center for Writing and Michigan Authors (FMCWAMA). The Writing Center employs student consultants from diverse disciplines to assist peers at any stage of the writing process—an invaluable resource for faculty looking to strengthen writing in their courses. One former consultant, Chad Steffes, reflects on the impact of this experience: “This gave me so much experience in developing and coaching technical writing in my major—a skill that many employers search for in ideal candidates across all disciplines.” Faculty encouragement absolutely helps students find and use academic support services and the Writing Center provides online and in-person support, weekly appointments, and in-class peer view workshops. Explore how partnering with the Writing Center can enrich your classroom and empower your students to succeed.

February 6 (5pm)-75% Tuition Refund Deadline

February 6 (5pm) - Credit/No Credit Deadline

February 23-27- Mid-term Evaluations

March 3 (12pm)- Mid-term Grades Due From Faculty

March 5- Mid-term Grades Available to Students

March 8 - 15- Spring Break

March 27 (5pm)- Withdraw with a "W" Grade Deadline

April 25- Classes End

April 25 - May 2- Examinations

May 1- Commencement

May 5- Grades Due From Faculty 

May 7- Grades Available to Students 

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

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Fill out the form below to submit an event or announcement (with photos!) for the Brooks College Newsletter or email brookscollege@gvsu.edu

Join our mailing list so you never miss a Brooks College newsletter.
View previous issues in our newsletter archive.