Division of Academic Affairs
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Lakers Ready is sent by the Office of the Provost
to faculty and staff within the Division of Academic Affairs
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In this issue of Lakers Ready:
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- A Note from the Provost
- Updates
- Engaged Scholarship
- Events
- Important Dates and Links
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Dear Colleagues:
As we move into the final stretch of the semester, I hope you are finding moments to enjoy the signs of spring and the return of warmer days. This time of year always carries a special energy as students bring their work to completion, our outdoor spaces come back to life, and we begin to feel a shared sense of accomplishment as we approach commencement. Thank you for the care, flexibility, and dedication you continue to bring to your work and to our students during this especially full time.
Please consider joining us this Wednesday for Stewardship Across Time: A Conversation with Grand Valley Presidents. President Philomena V. Mantella and former presidents Thomas J. Haas, Mark Murray, and Don Lubbers will reflect on Grand Valley’s journey across decades of leadership and the institutional commitments that continue to guide our work. Details are included below, and I hope you’ll attend, either in person or virtually, for what promises to be a meaningful community conversation.
I also encourage you to review the faculty leadership opportunities highlighted below. These roles are an important way to engage in shaping our work within Academic Affairs and across the institution, and I hope you will consider applying or encourage others to do so. If you have questions or would like additional information, please feel free to connect with the individuals listed in the announcements.
As always, thank you for your partnership and for all that you do to support our students and one another.
Best,
Jen
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Faculty Leadership Opportunities |
Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center
Director of General Education and Director of Curricular Initiatives
The Robert and Mary Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center (Pew FTLC) seeks two tenured faculty members to serve as Directors and support their colleagues in curricular and pedagogical projects. The position summaries, primary duties, and qualifications can be found on the Pew FTLC website. These positions begin as early as May 2026 and involve a three-year appointment with half-time academic year assignment and summer commitment, with stipend. Interested faculty should submit a letter of interest and CV to Christine Rener (renerc@gvsu.edu). Please indicate in the letter which position(s) is of interest. Review of applications begins April 16.
Office of the Provost
Director of Assessment and Accreditation
The Office of the Provost seeks a tenured faculty member to coordinate accreditation and assessment processes for the Division of Academic Affairs and serve as the Accreditation Liaison Officer for the Higher Learning Commission. The position, responsibilities, and qualifications can be found on the Office of the Provost webpage. Review of applications will begin April 20. Interested faculty should submit a letter of interest and CV to Erica Hamilton (hamilter@gvsu.edu).
Teach-In
The annual Teach-In event has been an important part of the GVSU community for many years. Its purpose is mutual education among students, faculty and staff around topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation.
Professor Karen Gipson has been a fantastic faculty leader for the event for several years, and we are now starting to write the next chapter. The Divisions of Academic Affairs and People, Equity, and Culture are seeking to appoint a new faculty lead for the 2026 event. Responsibilities will include collaborative work to offer the event in November, coordination of tasks, and communication with a variety of stakeholders. The faculty member will receive a one-course release for fall semester 2026. Work will begin as soon as possible.
Interested faculty should submit a letter of interest and CV to SAVP Ed Aboufadel (aboufade@gvsu.edu). Review of applications will begin April 20.
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Advancing Academic Affairs: Updates and Answers |
Question: How will restructuring the Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center (FTLC) and the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence (CSCE) under the same umbrella impact programming, staffing, and funding?
Answer: The resources and support provided to faculty through the Office of the Provost will be more intentionally aligned through this change, strengthening how we connect and deliver services across the FTLC and CSCE. The goal is to provide greater clarity about the full range of support available and how faculty can access these services. By bringing these areas together, we expect to strengthen coordination, reduce duplication, and create new opportunities to better meet the needs we hear from faculty, particularly at the intersection of teaching, scholarship, and creative activity. We see this as an opportunity to build on the strong foundations of the FTLC and the CSCE, and to enhance the ways we support faculty across their careers.
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Stewardship Across Time: A conversation with Grand Valley Presidents |
Join President Philomena V. Mantella and former GVSU presidents Tom Haas, Mark Murray, and Don Lubbers for a panel discussion reflecting on Grand Valley’s journey across decades of leadership on April 15, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, City Campus. Together, the presidents will discuss what each administration inherited, the decisions that shaped the university’s growth, and the commitments that continue to guide its future. To attend, either in person or via livestream, please RSVP. Questions can be directed to the Office of the President.
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Summer Semester Name Change |
The University has renamed the Spring/Summer Semester to the Summer Semester following consultation with campus partners, including faculty governance. This update, rolling out before the end of the Winter semester, is intended to simplify academic calendar terminology and improve consistency across systems and communications. Faculty and staff will begin seeing the updated Summer Semester terminology in Banner, Workday Student, and future institutional communications. Thank you for your support in helping ensure a smooth transition.
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Digital Measures/Faculty Success/Watermark Update |
Watermark has introduced a new interface for Digital Measures/Faculty Success, and GVSU must adopt it by July 1, 2026. The Office of the Provost has arranged for the transition to occur after Winter semester concludes, with the interface available in May. In addition to the new interface, a new feature, Proactive Search, will automatically identify publications that may belong to you.”
For the new user interface, Watermark has provided a 12-minute video, a “getting started” article, and a help article on the difference between the current and new interface. Please contact SAVP Ed Aboufadel (aboufade@gvsu.edu) with any questions.
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GV Recognized for LakerLink Revamp |
Through a partnership with Suitable, the Office of Student Life has made it easier for students to explore Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and discover campus events. Students can access the new and improved involvement hub at gvsu.edu/lakerlink. Check out the full Suitable.co article to learn more how Grand Valley has been working to modernize campus engagement in innovative ways.
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The Hub: Updates & Resources Related to Federal and State Landscapes |
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Michigan State Police Grant |
Congratulations to Carrie Buist, Associate Professor of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Legal Studies, the recipient of a $34,000 grant from the Michigan State Police (MSP) in support of the GVSU Cold Case Investigation Program. The funds will support new investigative equipment, software subscriptions, and wages for a student worker. Dr. Buist began the partnership with the Michigan State Police in 2022; since then, GVSU students have presented four case investigations to MSP/prosecutors and assisted on a cadaver search.
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| The Environmental Knowledge Commons |
Christian Glupker, Senior Affiliate Faculty of Practice in Economics, co-authored The Environmental Knowledge Commons: Cases and Lessons for Knowledge Sharing. This book explores how complex global environmental challenges—such as climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—require coordinated, multi-stakeholder solutions grounded in both scientific and social knowledge. Through diverse case studies, it highlights how shared data and “knowledge commons” can support more effective environmental governance and collective action. Click here to learn more about this book.
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Student Awards Convocation |
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Many GVSU students juggle school, work, and caregiving, and a lack of essentials like diapers adds stress. Together, we can ease that burden and support student parents. How you can help: Donate online to help Replenish buy the most needed items or drop off needed items. Diapers are the most requested and least donated basic needs items. Most needed items: diapers (newborn-size 6), pull-ups/training pants, baby wipes (unscented preferred), diaper cream. Drop-off locations include: CHS 113, DEV 101B, STU 200.
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Bring your laptop and join others on May 5, between 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus, for a drop-in Fix-Your-Content Day in support of the WCAG 2.1 accessibility initiative. Work alongside experts and leave with practical updates and greater confidence in creating accessible materials. Student Accessibility Resources, eLearning Technologies, Bb, University Libraries, and University Marketing will be providing assistance.
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Important Dates and Links
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Lakers Ready will be distributed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.
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1 Campus Drive
3090 JHZ
Allendale, MI 49401
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