Lakers Ready

Division of Academic Affairs

November 24, 2025

Lakers Ready is sent by the Office of the Provost
to faculty and staff within the Division of Academic Affairs

In this issue of Lakers Ready:

A Note from the Provost

By Orlando Ricardo Menes

We cannot buy it in bulk at Trader Joe's,
Swap it for gold, or hoard shares of Grace, Inc.,
To hedge against bad luck. We acquire it
Without contract, promissory notes, or IOUs,
Neither codicils nor fine print. We gather
Grace safe from litigation or severance,
And though we might breach the strictures of creed,
It cannot be forfeited or suspended. Rather,
Grace is asymmetric, parabolic, skewed to love,
Immanent and absolute, but also unpredictable
As quantum particles, both here and there,
Both full and empty, so it might arrive
Inopportunely and thus slip under hope,
Upsetting the earnest prayer, teasing our faith,
Like some rain bands, copious cumuli,
That appear astray, unbidden, in stagnant skies
To drench at last the drought-scourged earth.

With Gratitude,
Jen

Faculty were invited to attend three Campus Conversations exploring research Ph.D. Programs at GVSU. The slide deck, framing remarks, and a feedback form are available on the Office of the Provost website. The feedback form will be available until Friday, December 5.

Student Success

Mindfulness has been well-documented to support numerous enhancements to wellbeing, but recent studies demonstrate the need for trauma-sensitive approaches.  Since Fall 2020, GVSU students have had the option to take a one-credit course introducing them to trauma-sensitive mindfulness (TSM) practices, IDS 105: Mindfulness as a College Success Tool. Approximately 800 students have taken this course to date, with most students reporting significant improvements in numerous areas, including concentration, time management, stress reduction, self-efficacy, emotional regulation, compassion, and belonging he same remarkable outcomes. 

Based on the profound success of IDS 105, the Office of the Provost has supported efforts to incorporate TSM activities into existing courses since Summer 2023. Presentations and workshops promoting TSM have been offered to a variety of audiences, including deans, unit heads, faculty, staff, and selected undergraduate and graduate student groups. Around a thousand scripts for TSM practices were distributed at these various events, and many faculty have integrated TSM activities into their courses. In addition, there have been multiple semester-long learning communities on TSM.

For more information, please contact Professor Karen Gipson (gipsonk@gvsu.edu).   

Updates

For courses that have students attending in person and virtually, the following information was posted to the Registrar’s and Provost’s sites earlier this semester:  Exams given in multiple delivery courses can be offered in-person, synchronously online, or asynchronously online at the discretion of the instructor, with at least one online option provided to students (synchronous or asynchronous). For in-person or online synchronous exams, follow the final exam schedule template. For asynchronous online exams, follow the policy as described on the Registrar’s site [24-48 hour window for a 2-hour exam]. All exam modalities, dates, and times must be published in the syllabus at the beginning of the semester.

Starting Winter 2026, student accommodation memos will be sent directly to faculty each semester. Please note: Students are still required to meet with faculty to discuss their accommodations and how the approved accommodations will be administered in the class. Accommodations are not retroactive. Faculty are encouraged to respond promptly when students reach out to schedule these conversations. If you have questions, please contact Student Accessibility Resources at access@gvsu.edu or 616-331-2490.

Students in STA 419 Statistics Project can help with your research projects during the winter 2026 semester. Student consultants meet with you throughout the semester and employ their data analysis skills. In April, they provide you with a written summary of their work. To request the services offered by STA 419 students, please complete the Research Project Form online. Contact Dr. John Gabrosek with any questions.

The Oliver Wilson Scholars (OWS) Summer Bridge Program is seeking a Faculty Lead for a seven-week residential experience which supports incoming students with GPAs of 2.0 - 2.79 as they transition to college by building a strong academic foundation and sense of belonging at GVSU. The faculty lead collaborates with campus partners, leads academic planning and faculty onboarding, and shapes the student experience. If interested, please submit a letter of interest and CV to Jessica Saint Amour in Enrollment Development and College Futures, by December 12.

The impact Grand Valley has on Michigan and its residents shines through in Grand Valley Magazine feature stories in the fall issue. They include:

View the full fall magazine online.

At Grand Valley, we know what it means to show up for one another. Whether it's supporting a student, stepping in to help a colleague, or lending a hand in our community, Lakers care. That's why we are proud to once again partner with United Way to support our neighbors across the region. Through November 30, Lakers can help fund housing support, mental health services, food access, youth mentorship, and more. Learn more about the United Way campaign and give today.

Many Lakers face unexpected challenges that make it difficult to access nutritious food. Your support of the
Replenish Student Food Resource Fund helps ensure no Laker goes without the essentials needed to succeed in and out of the classroom.

This Giving Tuesday, your gift makes an immediate impact by keeping shelves stocked and Lakers supported. As a token of our thanks, you’ll receive a digital recipe book
filled with favorite dishes from the Laker community—perfect for the holiday season.
Give today at gvsu.edu/giving/givingtuesday.

If you are facing food insecurity, use the Feeding America map to find support and resources near you. If you cannot find resources that fit your needs, please reach out to Mimi Sperl, Assistant Director of the Center for Women and Gender Equity.

Ongoing updates and resources related to new executive orders, federal memos, and other important federal actions are available on Division of People, Equity, and Culture website. Updates on executive orders impacting federally-funded projects can be found on the Office of Sponsored Programs website.

Engaged Scholarship

Congratulations to Christina Quick, Associate Professor of Nursing, for receiving a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund for $499,562 over the next two years. The project, titled "Healing Beyond Healthcare: Integrated Health and Social Systems for Youth at Risk or in Foster Care," addresses a critical need for enhanced care coordination for youth entering foster care, and will focus on Kent County. The aim is to improve overall physical and mental health outcomes through early recognition, intervention, and support.

Congratulations to Raymond Higbea and Lara Jaskiewicz , Associate Professors of Community Leadership and Development, for their contract with the United Way of Southwest Michigan to evaluate the Community Leadership Academy. This work aims to help the CLA leadership team determine the effectiveness of the program in teaching core concepts related to leadership for community improvement.

Adrienne Wallace, Associate Professor of Communications, co-edited the book Public Relations and the Rise of AI. This book equips public relations educators, researchers, and professionals with the knowledge and tools they need in the changing landscape of communication in the age of AI. Click here to learn more about this book.

Events

The 30th Annual Student Scholars Day (SSD) will take place on April 8. This year’s theme is SSD at 30: Reimagining the Purpose of Our Scholarship. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Keivan G. Stassun, Stevenson Professor of Astrophysics and Director of the First Center for Autism and Innovation at Vanderbilt University, on April 7, 4:00- 5:30 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Learn more on the Student Scholars Day website. 

The Inclusion and Equity Institute offers free, dynamic, and helpful workshops on a variety of topics. For a complete list of upcoming workshops and to RSVP, visit the Inclusion and Equity Institute for Lakers website.

In Case You Missed It

11/11 - The GVSU Universal Testing Center (UTC) at City Campus is Now Open
11/12 - PEC Newsletter - A message on coming together; Homecoming office decorating winners announced
11/18 - Reminder: Holiday Gathering

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
4/7 - SSD Keynote Address - 4:00 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
4/8 - Student Scholars Day

Dates
11/26-30 - Thanksgiving Recess
12/6-13 - Exam Week
12/6 - Commencement
12/16 - Grades Due by 12:00 p.m.

Links
Lakers Ready - repository of this newsletter and a link to submit content
Laker Family Network - repository of the monthly newsletter sent by the Division of Student Affairs to GVSU parents/supporters

Lakers Ready will be distributed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.