The Laker Family Network is a resource of the Division of Student Affairs of Grand Valley State University.
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We’d like to invite you to join us in welcoming Andrew Haggerty, who recently joined Grand Valley State University to serve as our inaugural Director of First Year, Parent and Supporter Programs. As part of the Dean of Students Office (DSO), Andrew will work to implement new student and parent/supporter programs in addition to leading existing key programs including New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, and Laker Family Weekend. He looks forward to focusing on the success of first-year students by helping to develop a sense of belonging for our newest Lakers, as well as connecting with their supporters. Welcome, Andrew!

Getting Involved 

From March 20 to March 24, The Office of Student Life is working with various organizations for 5 Days of Service. Encourage your student to get involved and gain access to drop-in service opportunities. The event kicks off on Monday, March 20 at 11 a.m. in the Kirkhof Lobby on the Allendale Campus. 

On March 31, Running Start, GVSU Student Senate, and local elected officials will host a special leadership training that addresses the topic of women in office and leadership.

Running Start, the non-profit organization that runs the Elect Her program, brings campaign training and real-world experiences from currently-elected officials to college campuses across the U.S. The participants are led through several modules to enhance their understanding of the importance of women in office. 

Do you have a Laker who's interested in making a difference and ready to start their leadership journey? Remind them to register to attend by Friday, March 24 at 5 p.m.

Wellness

With warmer weather just ahead, March is a great time to talk about the importance of heading outdoors to take care of our mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, being in nature comes with a host of benefits, including increased cognition, increased attention, and lower stress. It even reduces the risk of developing mental health concerns and improves empathy and connection with others. It may be beneficial to talk with your student about the importance of getting outside and ending their semester not only academically strong, but emotionally strong too!   

Students can visit the Recreation and Wellness website for local hiking trails and other ways to get outdoors this spring.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has shared information from Kentucky health officials with area Universities for awareness regarding a potential measles exposure during a large event held on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky during early to mid-February.

Measles spreads through respiratory droplets and is highly contagious. The typical measles rash usually begins as flat red spots on the face at the hairline and spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet.

The GV community can prevent the spread of illness by practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, cleaning frequently touched objects, and getting an MMR Vaccination. 

Vaccines are available at the Campus Health Center (Allendale), and the GVSU Family Health Center (Downtown). 

The end of the semester is on the horizon! Remind your student to check their Dining Dollar balance. Need to add more funds? You can do this online. Encourage your student to budget carefully over the next 6 weeks. And remember, Dining Dollars are non-refundable at the end of the semester, so tell your Laker to eat up, and spend it all!

As always, let your students know they can check out the Laker Food Co. events pages for upcoming specials and giveaways!

Academic Support

The Reading Center offers drop-in and appointment services for all GVSU students to help them “hack” their college reading. The reading load in college is heavy, and many students have a hard time keeping up and comprehending everything. The tutors in the Reading Center can help students apply strategies, analyze texts, make a reading plan, and more!

The Reading Center is also a great resource for English Language Learners. Reading tutors have been trained in English literacy and tutoring best practices and are ready to assist Lakers at any point in their academic journey.

Why limit networking to just potential employers? Building strong connections with GVSU faculty, staff, and fellow students is essential to helping students reach their personal, social, and professional goals. 

Encourage your student to do these simple tasks to build their network: 

• Establish career goals to share with others

• Attend office hours to ask professors questions and build professional bonds

• Use LakerLink to find campus organizations related to their career field and personal interests

• Meet regularly with academic and career advisors 

Networking doesn’t have to be scary. It could happen at the bus stop, in the classroom, or even waiting in line at Panda Express. Confidence is key and making the first step could lead to an opportunity later down the road.

The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) is offering academic success group workshops throughout the winter semester.

March & April Topics topics:

• Motivation & Procrastination
• Catching up in classes
• Exam preparation

All interested students should RSVP on the SASC website and view a list of all workshops. If students prefer to discuss these topics one-on-one with a success coach, they can make an appointment on the Success Coaching website. 

The Student Academic Success Center's Accountability Group serves as an opportunity to connect with peers, sustain motivation, and be held accountable throughout the semester! Group members will hold each other accountable to individual academic goals that will be developed at the first meeting and revisited weekly. To assist in achieving members' goals, discussion on academic strategies such as time management, organization, procrastination and motivation, and study skills will be led by the group facilitators.

Financial Aid

Now is the time for your student to complete the Spring/Summer Application to be considered for financial aid for the summer.  Once they complete this application, we will use the information from the 2022-2023 FAFSA to determine their financial aid eligibility for summer classes.  The tuition payment deadline for spring/summer is Friday, April 28 at 5 p.m.  

If you are a parent who borrowed a Parent PLUS Loan for the current academic year and plan to borrow one for the summer if your student attends, please take note that you will have to reapply for that loan for the summer semester.

If you have questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Other Resources and Reminders

Important Dates:

April 22 Classes End

April 24 - 29 Examinations

April 28 and 29 Commencement

Academic Calendar

Events Calendar