Lakers Ready

Division of Academic Affairs

March 10, 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

Dear Colleagues,

As we move into the second half of the semester, we welcome the renewal that comes with spring - a season of growth, momentum, and fresh possibilities. In that spirit, I want to share a poem that offers a moment to pause and reflect on where we've been and the path ahead.

Instructions on Not Giving Up
Ada Limón

More than the fuchsia funnels breaking out
of the crabapple tree, more than the neighbor's
almost obscene display of cherry limbs shoving
their cotton candy-colored blossoms to the slate
sky of Spring rains, it's the greening of the trees
that really gets to me. When all the shock of white
and taffy, the world's baubles and trinkets, leave
the pavement strewn with the confetti of aftermath,
the leaves come. Patient, plodding, a green skin
growing over whatever winter did to us, a return
to the strange idea of continuous living despite
the mess of us, the hurt, the empty. Fine then,
I'll take it, the tree seems to say, a new slick leaf
unfurling like a fist to an open palm, I'll take it all.

As we settle into the rest of the semester, let's carry forward a sense of renewal and purpose. Wishing you a spring filled with fresh energy, meaningful work, and moments of connection.

In Gratitude,
Jen

Projects and Initiatives Updates

The Office of the Provost is seeking 3 – 4 experienced qualitative researchers to analyze data as we begin to draft the Division of Academic Affairs Strategic Plan. Faculty and staff are invited to apply to analyze strategic planning data gathered from across the division. Faculty will be provided a stipend for approximately 40 hours of work between May 5 and June 6. These efforts will be crucial in shaping the draft themes and priorities for our new Academic Affairs Strategic Plan. Please complete a brief online form by March 21 to express your interest.

Updates

The Office of Institutional Analysis will assist the Office of the Provost in distribution of the Provost's Cabinet Member Assessment Survey for those individuals being evaluated this year. Links to the online survey will remain open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 23. Your thoughtful responses are encouraged. Please contact Mary Albrecht in the Office of the Provost with questions about this process.

LIFT student evaluations surveys will be available to students during the last two weeks of the semester. To encourage high response rates, instructors are expected to set aside 15 minutes of class time for students to complete the surveys. More information about the lift system, including short videos that can be shown in class, can be found at www.gvsu.edu/lift. Please note that units that want to modify formative or open-ended items on the LIFT forms must have approval from the LIFT Management Committee before making changes. 

Examination Week this semester is April 19-26. As outlined in Shared Governance Policies (SG 3.04.F), instructors are expected to provide a culminating experience for each course during examination week. This experience should occur at the special time scheduled during examination week, which can be found on the Registrar's site (any exceptions must be approved by the appropriate academic dean). Final examinations should be given during the scheduled exam time unless that time is being used for another activity, such as presentations. By administering final examinations during examination week rather than the last week of classes, students are provided with the opportunity to better prepare, which will support student success. Additionally, the university counts class time during exam week as part of the contact hours for the course, and this is reported to our accreditors. 

Commencement is scheduled April 25 and 26, at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. If you plan to attend and process, complete the RSVP form on the Commencement website to receive additional information and your parking permit. 

After Winter semester, the virtual Windows computer lab (WinLab) will be retired and replaced with a new hosted solution. This upgrade provides increased capacity, enhanced computing power, and flexibility for faculty and students. The new environment supports resource-intensive applications like SolidWorks, Ansys, and ArcGIS Pro, leveraging GPUs for advanced computing. Also, all university computer labs, physical and virtual, will upgrade to Windows 11 in the Spring/Summer 2025 semesters. Please contact Eric Bellmore in Information Technology with questions. 

Engaged Scholarship

Two members of the GVSU community recently received National Science Foundation (NSF) grants.

Figen Mekik, Professor of Geology, received $314,367 for "Advanced calibration of a carbonate ion proxy," with Robert F. Anderson (co-PI) of Columbia University. This research focuses on ocean/atmosphere carbon exchange and related climate change, including modern ocean acidification. The project will employ 8 undergraduate students and fund their visits to geochemistry labs nationwide as well as their presentations in scientific conferences. 

Larry Wyn, Program Manager in the Regional Math and Science Center, received $991,861 with partners Brown University and Bootstrap, for "RAPID: Preparing Michigan Teachers for CSforAll by Infusing CS, Math, and Data Science in Algebra 2." The modernizing of this high school course aims to prepare students for further study and careers in computing, data science, and AI, as well as study the impact of this curriculum on girls and students from rural areas.

Meegan Zickus, Visiting Faculty of Biology, published the book Contemporary Issues In Biomedical Ethics. This book introduces students to the essential components of bioethics; blending philosophy, law, biology, and medicine to address ethical concerns in healthcare and biomedical research using ethical frameworks in professions where ethical competence is critical. Click here to learn more about this book. 

Educational Equity

Continuous feedback is an important strategy for student success and progress reports are critical to our student support efforts. To avoid reports coming at different times, all reports will now be delivered on the same day. Faculty will continue to receive multiple reports as this allows your feedback to go directly to the advisor or success coach who will connect with the student. Week 12 progress reports for students in specific campus programs will be sent on March 24.

Events

Insights and Ideas is a series of informal gatherings in both Allendale and Grand Rapids throughout the winter semester. Each discussion will provide space for open dialogue to discuss topics important to faculty and staff and for leadership to provide deeper insight into our priorities and key initiatives. Please contact the Office of the President with questions. 

Colleges and units in Academic Affairs are engaged in a variety of conversations that are shaping our overall strategic planning and informing the Reach Higher Together initiative. In addition to these ongoing efforts, a series of strategic foresight sessions are an extra opportunity for you to contribute to GVSU’s long-term vision. RSVP online for the sessions you plan to attend. Questions about these sessions can be directed to Evan Potter in the Office of the President.

Information Technology invites you to join an exciting learning opportunity with the enterprise computing vendor, Dell Technologies, on March 18, 10:00-11:30 a.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. AI is reshaping the future - how can faculty harness its power? Join Bill Schmarzo for an insightful lecture exploring the intersection of economics, design thinking, data science, and cultural empowerment. Discover how these disciplines drive innovation, transform data into actionable insights, and foster inclusive, data-literate environments.

Join members of the GVSU Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) Honors Society as they welcome new members on March 24, 4:00 p.m., L.V. Eberhard Center, Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus. To learn more about PKP, visit the Chapter website.

The Graduate School Citations for Academic Excellence will be hosted on April 11, 5:00 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. These awards were created to recognize outstanding academic achievement of graduate students. Awards are given to students who have completed their program and are nominated by those familiar with the individual student's accomplishments. Each recipient is granted a certificate of recognition and a graduate honors cord. Learn more about this event on The Graduate School website.

The Graduate School and the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence are looking forward to the 14th Annual Graduate Showcase. The showcase is scheduled for April 15, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall and Loosemore Auditorium,  DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Visit the Graduate Showcase website to learn more.

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
3/11 - Insight and Ideas: Staff Session - 12:00 p.m., John G. Russell Leadership Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
3/13 - Laker Club Talk: Jessica Karbowski Weare - 4:00 p.m., Laker Club, Allendale Campus
3/13 - Philosophy Colloquium Series: José Medina - 4:30 p.m., 110 MAK-BLL, Allendale Campus
3/14 - 2025 Sustainability Champion Awards Ceremony - 12:00 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
3/18 - Building an Innovation Mindset with Data and AI - 10:00 a.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
3/24 - Insights and Ideas: Faculty Session - 1:00 p.m., John G. Russell Leadership Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
3/24 - Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony - 4:00 p.m., L.V. Eberhard Center, Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids Campus.
3/26 - Beyond 2025: Reach Higher Foresight Sessions - 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Various Sessions, Holton-Hooker Living Center, Allendale Campus
3/27- Beyond 2025: Reach Higher Foresight Sessions - 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Various Sessions, Consumers Energy Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
3/28 - Beyond 2025: Reach Higher Foresight Sessions - 1:00 p.m., Virtual
3/29 - Michigan Regional Science Olympiad Tournament - 7:45 a.m., Various locations, Allendale Campus
4/8 - Student Scholars Day Keynote - 4:00 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus
4/10 - Insights and Ideas: Faculty Session - 12:00 p.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Allendale Campus
4/11 - Graduate School Citations for Academic Excellence - 5:00 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
4/14 - Student Awards Convocation - 6:00 p.m.,  L.V. Eberhard Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
4/15 - Graduate School Showcase - 3:00 p.m., Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall and Loosemore Auditorium,  DeVos Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus
5/15 - Insight and Ideas: Staff Sessions - 9:00 a.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Allendale Campus

Dates
4/19 - Classes End
4/19-26 - Examination Week
4/25-26 - Commencement

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.