The UCN Steering Committee continues planning for CommCon 2026, a day dedicated to professional development for all campus communicators.

Please save June 17 on your calendars. We will convene at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on the Health Campus for a full slate of breakout sessions plus a keynote presentation. A call for proposals to lead sessions will go out early next semester.

Right now, your assistance is needed! We are looking for volunteers to serve on three subcommittees: logistics, scheduling, and communications/marketing. Please send an email to Michele Coffill, coffillm@gvsu.edu, and indicate your committee preference. Thank you to those who already volunteered!

What should you do during a campus emergency? GVPD Sgt. William O'Donnell will lead a presentation about effective communication protocols during a campus emergency. 

Additionally, Sara Ledford, assistant general counsel and Freedom of Information Act coordinator, will give an overview of what FOIA is, why it matters and how it may affect you and Grand Valley.

Join us in the new year for this UCN professional development meeting on Monday, January 12, from 3-4:30 p.m. in the Alumni House on the Valley Campus. RSVP here.

Congratulations to Kendra Stanley-Mills, associate director of photography services for University Communications, who earned a second-place award in the University Photographers Association of America (UPAA) monthly contest for a photo taken during one of the Philosophy in Nature events.

You can see photos from all November winners on the UPAA November contest website. These photos may inspire you and your teams in 2026! 

Does your team have an award or achievement to share in the next UCN newsletter? Let us know! Email Michele Coffill at coffillm@gvsu.edu.