A Note from the Provost

Dear Colleagues: 

Over the past seven weeks, the Academic Affairs Future Design Task Force has been engaged in thoughtful conversations about Grand Valley's future. I want to share an update on the task force's progress and the important work taking place. 

The task force began with a shared commitment to GVSU's future, and also with uncertainty about the work ahead. Entry and exit tickets from the first meeting reflected excitement, cautious optimism, and difficult questions: What problem are we solving? How much must we save? What futures might we imagine and build towards? Can this process build trust while protecting the quality of a Grand Valley education? Even then, the priorities were clear: put students first, reduce barriers to success, support collaboration, and make the reasoning behind recommendations transparent. 

In weeks two and three, those aspirations met the complexity of our current structure and the financial realities facing GVSU and higher education more broadly. Members identified silos, redundancies, and confusing pathways, while also recognizing the expertise, sense of belonging and institutional knowledge embedded in existing colleges and units. Learning about one another through a college "gallery walk" helped members move beyond their own perspectives, identify possible connections, and ask more specific questions about the evidence needed to make responsible recommendations. 

Weeks four and five moved the task force toward exploring possible designs and testing them against the student experience. Creating hypothetical models opened possibilities but also sharpened attention to what changes in structure could unintentionally affect: disciplinary identity, liberal education, interdisciplinary work, and less-visible labor. Student navigation became a more concrete design test, bringing advising, clear and flexible pathways, equitable support, and cross-college coordination into sharper focus. During this time the task force launched 14 listening sessions across campus to gather input in addition to the ideas being shared through the Provost’s Office website form. The task force also welcomed guests to discuss successes and pain points in their areas of Academic Affairs. 

By weeks six and seven, members were discussing more tangible opportunities: shared resources, cross-disciplinary teaching, clearer pathways, and stronger connections among programs. They were also naming tradeoffs more openly and recognizing where additional expertise was needed, particularly around advising. Colleagues with expertise in student advising joined the conversations to help members better understand the complexities of this important work. 

The task force's confidence has not risen in a straight line. Concerns about time, communication, voice, and identity remain. The entry and exit tickets nevertheless show progress: members have moved from asking what this work means to examining what opportunities our different choices could make possible and what impacts must be understood before recommending change. 

With recommendations due to me in December, the task force is preparing to conclude its information-gathering phase and turn its attention to deliberation and developing possible models. Three listening sessions remain, and the feedback form will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 2. I encourage members of the university community who have not yet shared their perspectives to participate in a remaining listening session or submit feedback before the form closes. 

The task force is not a decision-making body. Its role is to explore possibilities and develop recommendations for consideration. I appreciate the thoughtful and creative approach members have brought to this work, and I thank everyone across the university who has contributed to these conversations. Your engagement is helping us consider what the future of higher education and student success could look like at Grand Valley. 

Jen 

Updates

Starting in Fall 2027, GVSU Online will become the university’s designated platform for a focused portfolio of market-driven, fully online asynchronous degrees and pathways for working adults.  

Academic Affairs and Omni will jointly lead the enterprise, with designated degrees administered through the Provost’s Office. Faculty remain the academic architects and stewards of the curriculum. Academic Affairs will ensure alignment with faculty governance, accreditation, assessment, and academic standards. The Center for Adult and Continuing Studies in Omni will continue to lead course delivery, operations, and the integrated learner experience, with Jackie Abeyta serving as Director, GVSU Online. Academic Affairs Associate Vice President Aaron Lowen will serve as portfolio lead. 

For more information, please review this FAQ. 

GVSU Online is one part of Omni’s work to connect learners, employers, and communities with the university. The division’s broader work includes military and veteran support, the Bellamy Creek program serving incarcerated students, continuing education, recognition of prior learning, the Career Center, and regional campuses that expand local access to education and support community and economic growth. 

Based on a winter 2026 recommendation from UAS (developed by the Faculty Personnel Policy Committee in collaboration with the Affiliate Faculty Advisory Committee), we are moving forward this fall with updated nomenclature for our faculty.  Key outcomes: (1) The term “regular faculty” is being retired, replaced with “tenure-stream faculty”. (2) We will begin to use the term “untenured faculty” for tenure-stream faculty who have not received tenure yet. (3) The Policies site and associated faculty handbooks are being revised this semester, including adding language to specific policies to provide clarity when a policy is germane to only tenure-stream faculty. Colleges and units should begin to revise documents that use the term “regular faculty”. More details can be found on the SHORE site repository of faculty governance work.

A new predictive analytics tool is helping advisors identify students who may benefit from additional support earlier in the semester. Academic Affairs has partnered with the IT Data and Analytics team and university leadership to use data to support more proactive student outreach.

On September 28, the Student Success Outreach Pilot application was launched for more than 90 academic advisors and success coaches. The application uses predictive and prescriptive analytics to help advising teams identify students who may benefit from outreach and prioritize their efforts. 

The application acts as an early-warning tool, using algorithms based on student performance and engagement, including:

Supporting earlier outreach
Rather than manually searching for individual risk signals, advisors and success coaches can use a centralized view to identify and prioritize students who may need additional support. The goal is to help advising teams connect with students earlier in the semester, potentially before midterms or finals, when timely support can make a difference.

For more information, contact Cathy Buyarski, Executive Director of Student Success, at buyarskc@gvsu.edu.

LIFT Student evaluation 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 December 12-19. As outlined in Shared Governance Policies (SG 3.04.F), instructors are expected to provide a culminating experience for each course 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 for December 12, 4:00 p.m., at the 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. 

As faculty prepare for winter semester, there are policy matters to keep in mind:

Ensuring that syllabi clearly describes the professor's expectation of students is important. For example, including additional expectations about course schedule or format changes, revised technology requirements, or adoption of new learning materials may be necessary. The Pew FTLC website offers information on Syllabus Design as well as Syllabus Statement Examples. 

Each February during Faculty Awards Convocation, faculty are honored for a range of accomplishments: teaching, scholarship, service to the institution and community, and mentoring students. The nominations deadline for these awards is November 1. See the Office of the Provost website to learn more about the criteria and nomination process. 

GVSU Votes! Midterm elections will take place on November 3. Michigan residents can vote early, via absentee ballot, or on in person, on Election Day. Residents of Allendale can vote in the Kirkhof Center Lounge from October 28 through October 30 (10 a.m.- 2 p.m.) with the Allendale Township Clerk. On Election Day, GVSU Voter Vans will provide transportation to the polls for Allendale and Georgetown residents from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., leaving from Kirkhof Center. Join in the Election Day Celebration from 12-1 p.m. in Kirkhof!

To ensure consistency with university logo standards and our evolving brand identity, University Marketing has updated the artwork associated with digital badges (records of achievement that recognize a student’s academic experience). The new design will better reflect the GVSU identity, are better suited for a smaller format, and will be less challenging to create and maintain. Badge files will be updated on Credly as well as on academic pages. If you have questions regarding this change, please contact Nick Viau (viauni@gvsu.edu) in University Marketing.

Events

Designed for university faculty and staff, this session explores AI policies, tool selection, Blackboard AI features, and effective prompting strategies. On November 2, 3:30-5:00 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus, participants will learn when AI can enhance teaching, learning, and workflow efficiency, when human expertise should take precedence, and how to use AI responsibly to support engagement and academic integrity. This session is sponsored by the AP Committee and delivered by eLearning. RSVP to reserve your spot in Workday.

Join the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies this Veterans Day to honor the service and sacrifice of West Michigan and Laker veterans past and present. This year's program will explore what leadership, sacrifice, and service look like at the highest levels of military life and feature a keynote by a TOPGUN-trained fighter pilot and former aircraft carrier commander, Navy Captain JJ Cummings. This event will take place on November 11, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, City Campus. RVSP to reserve your spot.

This fall the HerStory series sponsored by the Women's Commission is excited to feature Dr. Karen Gipson, an educator and advocate who has served the university in a variety of capacities for almost 30 years. Join on November 17, 11:00 - 12:00 p.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus, to learn from Dr. Gipson about how the practice of mindfulness has been a powerful part of her journey, and how to center trauma-sensitive mindfulness in your own work and life.

In Case You Missed It

10/23 - A Message from President Mantella: Creating Opportunity Across Michigan

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
10/29 - Civil Discourse Symposium: Ethics & Responsibility in Online Spaces - 6:00 p.m., Seidman Center, City Campus
10/30 - First-Generation Student Success Conference, 9:00 a.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center.
11/2 - Using AI with Intention: Policies, Practices, and Prompting - 3:30 p.m., 2204 Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
11/3 - GV Technology Summit, 8:30 a.m., Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
11/5 - Mutual Interests: Collaboration across the Arts and Humanities, 5:00 p.m., Calder Arts Center, Allendale Campus
11/10-11/11 - GVSU Teach-In
11/11 - Veterans Day Celebration featuring JJ Cummings, 6:00 p.m., Loosemore Auditorium, DeVos Center, City Campus
11/17 - HerStory: Dr. Karen Gipson - 11:00 a.m., Pere Marquette Room, Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus

Important Dates
11/25-11/29 - Thanksgiving Recess
12/12 - Commencement
12/12-12/19 - Examination Week
12/22 - Grades Due from Faculty by 12:00 p.m.

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
Laker Weekly - repository of the weekly e-newsletter sent by the Division of Student Affairs to current GVSU students
Inclusion and Equity Institute Workshops - Inclusion and Equity Institute offers free, dynamic, and helpful workshops on a variety of topics

Lakers Ready will be distributed on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.