Lakers Ready

Division of Academic Affairs

April 28, 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 bring the Winter 2025 semester to a close, I want to thank each of you for the extraordinary work you’ve done throughout the academic year. Your commitment to our students, to each other, and to the future of our university continues to inspire me. 

This weekend, many of us came together to celebrate our graduating students. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated and special appreciation to those who worked behind the scenes to make our ceremonies possible. Commencement reminds us of the heart of our mission and the power of our community. 

We heard moving words from honorary degree recipient and former Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalyn Bliss, who reflected on her own journey and reminded us: “Let’s start with people. Because that’s where everything meaningful begins.” She spoke of those who believed in her, helped her grow, and challenged her to imagine new possibilities – reminding us that no meaningful change happens alone. 

That message resonates deeply. Whether through your teaching and mentorship of students, your engagement in collaborative scholarship, your guidance as academic advisors, your steady presence in labs, studios and other learning environments, or your essential work as professional support staff sustaining the daily life of the university—you have been those people who have built the relationships and classrooms and campus communities where everything meaningful begins. Her words echo what I shared recently about why I came to Grand Valley: I came here because of the people and because of the opportunity to do meaningful work with those who care deeply about students, community, and purpose. That belief has only grown stronger. 

This year, we’ve seen your commitment reflected in your engagement with key Academic Affairs initiatives: strategic planning, SPARCA, digital literacy and AI efforts, the COACHE faculty survey discussions, and initiatives supporting student success. Each of these efforts has been enriched by your insight, your collaboration, and your shared belief in what’s possible. This work will continue over the summer, with updates shared in Lakers Ready and full reports available at the start of the Fall semester. 

Finally, thank you for the kind words and messages of support on my recent appointment as Provost. I was touched by the number of you that attended the Conversation with the Provost events and the thoughtful discussions we had. I was asked by many to share my remarks so those are now available on the Office of the Provost website. 

With sincere appreciation, 

Jen 

Projects and Initiatives Updates

This semester, the COACHE Steering Committee, conferring with the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the University Academic Senate (UAS), selected external facilitators to conduct individual and group interviews, summarize their findings, and help a faculty-administration group co-design workshops scheduled for next month, focusing on shared governance. Two-day workshops have been scheduled for May 13/14 and May 22/23, with participation from SLT, UAS, Provost’s Cabinet (deans and other Academic Affairs leaders) and the COACHE Steering Committee. Close to 50 faculty and 30 administrators are expected to attend one or both offerings. The workshop has been designed to foster shared governance principles of trust, collaboration, and mutual understanding, using an Appreciative Inquiry framework. 

Over the past three weeks, following the conclusion of the individual and group interviews, the COACHE Steering Committee has reflected on the campus community's experiences during those interviews. As a result, we have decided to collaborate with new facilitators who have a proven history of successfully repairing and restoring shared governance. These facilitators are known for their cultural sensitivity, deep expertise, and strong facilitation skills. Given the prominence of the Association of Governing Boards (AGB) in the dialogue this year, we have an agreement for experienced leaders from AGB to facilitate the May workshops.

Updates

Fall 2025 Laker Welcome planning is well underway - and with it come some exciting changes! In response to student feedback, evidence-based practices, and insights from peer institutions across the country, our traditional Convocation will take on a new format and location this year. Laker Kickoff, a dynamic new welcome event for first-year students, will be held the evening of Friday, August 22, 2025.

While there will no longer be a formal Convocation procession, faculty and staff will have new and meaningful opportunities to connect with our newest Lakers. Laker Kickoff will take place in Lubbers Stadium and will feature remarks from President Mantella, the annual class photo on the field, and interactive activities designed to help students build connections from day one.

College Welcome Sessions are also being planned for Sunday, August 24, to formally welcome students into the academic community. More details will be shared soon.

Academic Affairs and Student Affairs remain committed to working together to create experiences - during Laker Welcome and throughout the academic year - that foster belonging, connection, and a strong sense of home for all our newest Lakers.

Keep an eye on the Laker Welcome website in the coming months for updates and more information.

Starting with this evaluation cycle, we will be utilizing Workday as a repository (archive) for annual faculty reviews. The review for the 2024 calendar year has been available since April 18. In Workday, type “my review” in the search bar.  Reviews from previous years will not be added to Workday.  Policy on communication with faculty regarding their annual review is described in Shared Governance policy SG 3.08, section 6, and BOTpolicy regarding personnel information such as merit and performance evaluations is also available on the Policies site. Any questions about the archiving process should be directed to Senior AVP Ed Aboufadel.

BS Degree Requirement Policy Alignment

A streamlined process has been implemented in SAIL to ensure BS Degree Requirement compliance is handled efficiently. Programs needing to make adjustments should note:

Workday Student Implementation (2025-2028)

In preparation for the transition to Workday Student (WDS) beginning May 2025 through August 2028, here are some clarifications regarding the approach to curriculum changes during this period:

Questions? Contact AVP Felix N. Ngassa, Office of the Provost.

The spring issue of Grand Valley Magazine highlights the success stories of Laker students, faculty and staff. Read about a faculty-led lab that supports public health monitoring of viruses, the bond between faculty mentors and their McNair Scholars, and a community partnership that gives future teachers books for their classrooms. Don't miss the photo essay on faculty offices that offer welcoming spaces for students!

Ongoing updates and resources related to new executive orders, federal memos, and other important federal actions are available on Division of People, Equity, and Culture website. Updates on executive orders impacting federally-funded projects can be found on the Office of Sponsored Programs website.

Engaged Scholarship

Marcos Sanson ’26 has received the Goldwater Scholarship, one of the oldest and most prestigious national scholarships in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics fields in the United States. Marcos’s mentor is Alex Lalejini (with strong additional mentoring support from Jared Moore and Austin Ferguson).

This year, the National Science Foundation (NSF) was able to confer one thousand awards, less than half the number conferred last year and the fewest since 2008. Given this, we are thrilled to see two GVSU alumni recipients as well as five honorable mentions in this year’s cohort. NSF-GRFP recipients include GVSU’s Georgia Sands ‘23 (mentor: Shannon Biros) and Rachelle Baumann ’22 (mentor: Brad Waller).

Congratulations to Vicky Wright, Assistant Director of the Center for Educational Partnerships, on a $10,000 MiSTEM Network Advisory Council grant. Groundswell's Summer Institute provides hands-on place-based education (PBE) and equips educators with tools and strategies to implement meaningful, student-driven projects. Through local field experiences and collaboration with community partner experts, teachers gain environmental and cultural knowledge while learning strategies to engage students in real-world learning that connects classrooms to the community.

Elisa Ortega-Schultz, Employee Ombuds Officer, authored a chapter in The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals, and its future. This book is the International Ombuds Association's first publication. This book provides a holistic look at the work of organizational ombuds, including its historical roots, theoretical approaches in the field, sectors in which it is practiced, its organization and delivery, as well as the future of the field. Click here to learn more about this book.

Events

Please join Provost Jennifer Drake in welcoming Dr. Adebayo (Bayo) Ogundipe to the Grand Valley State University community on May 5, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. We look forward to gathering in recognition of Dean Ogundipe as he begins his role as the inaugural Dean of the Padnos College of Engineering. This event will be an opportunity to connect with colleagues and community partners, celebrate the College’s strong foundation, and look ahead to its continued success under Dean Ogundipe’s leadership. RSVP your attendance on the Office of the Provost website.

The Michigan Small Business Development Center invites you to the Small Business Resource and Financing Fair on May 7, 12:00–4:00 p.m., Goei Center in Grand Rapids. This free, open-house style event is designed to connect entrepreneurs with local resource providers, support organizations, and lenders—all in one place. Attendees can enjoy workshops, expert-led live panels, and one-on-one networking with professionals ready to help small businesses grow and thrive. Register for free at michigansbdc.org/resourcefair.

Register for the University Counseling Center's (UCC) Faculty Mental Health Ambassador Training on May 9, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., 2270 Kirkhof, Allendale Campus. This training is designed to ensure you have the resources and support to navigate student mental health challenges, and includes how to identify and address signs of discomfort, distress, and crisis, available supports and services, QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper training, and a variety of discussion opportunities to get your questions answered. Submit your application to be a Faculty Mental Health Ambassador on the UCC website.

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
5/7 - Small Business Resource & Financing Fair 2025 - 12:00 p.m., Goei Center, Grand Rapids
5/9 - Faculty Mental Health Ambassador Training - 9:00 a.m., 2270 Kirkhof, Allendale Campus
5/13 & 14- Establishing University-Industry Partnerships Workshop - 9:00 a.m., 104 DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health, Health Campus
5/15 - Insight and Ideas: Staff Sessions - 9:00 a.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Allendale Campus

Dates
5/5 - Spring Classes Begin
5/26 - Memorial Day Recess
6/16 - Spring Classes End
6/17-6/18 - Examination Week
6/23 - Summer Classes Begin

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.