Dear Laker Community,
As we close out September, and as my team and I in the Division of People, Equity, and Culture celebrate our first year serving you as a new division, I want to take a moment to reflect with you, not just on the past year, but on the work ahead. Our commitment here at Grand Valley State University is to be a community that actively works to ensure that everyone has a sense of belonging. We must be a place where we can disagree without becoming disagreeable, and where we are a role-model in removing barriers to create educational equity for all is a cornerstone of our university. We are called to this mission to bring people closer, to create opportunities for belonging, and to lead with care and courage.
Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of listening to hundreds of voices across our community. Through my listening tour, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of our collective hopes and challenges. What I know to be true is that our people are committed—to Grand Valley, to our students, and to each other. That commitment shines through in countless ways, big and small.
At the same time, we have work to do. Your voices have made it clear that shared leadership must be more than just words. It should be visible in how we create pathways for opportunity, simplify processes, and ensure that no matter where you sit in our university, your contributions are seen and valued. This commitment is not rooted in any political affiliation or ideology, but in our shared humanity, as we use the power of education to pursue our passions. I am so honored to serve this special and unique community that has existed here for over 65 years. It gives me so much Laker pride to know that we can be an example not only for West Michigan, but for the world.
Our division has been on its own journey of growth and transformation. While change is never easy, your voices have helped shape our strategic framework to ensure that we are Anchored In You. We’ve welcomed new colleagues, strengthened our teams, launched a monthly newsletter, and hosted events to bring us together. These steps are all part and just the beginning of building the infrastructure that supports the culture we aspire to: one where people are cared for, seen, and set up to thrive.
With your help, we’re not just talking about change; we’re actively engaged in turning what if into what is. We are turning what if everyone had a true sense of belonging into what is a culture where every person has the resources to thrive. We are turning what if we could remove barriers to educational equity into what is a reality where everyone can access the power of education. We are turning what if we could truly be a role model for the nation on how to be in community, even with our disagreements, into what is a culture that celebrates academic freedom, belonging, and equity for all.
This is our commitment as People, Equity, and Culture. We invite you to engage in our full strategic framework and our journey map for the upcoming year, which will be available on our gvsu.edu/people website by the end of the week, to learn more.
Personally, I remain deeply grateful for the decision to join this community. This past year has reaffirmed my belief that when we anchor our work in one another, we can create the culture of belonging we all want and deserve.
We are Anchored In You. With that comes our shared responsibility to manage ourselves in ways that foster care, connection, and belonging for every person in our community. Let’s continue this important work together.
