A Note from the Provost

Dear colleagues,

I want to acknowledge the disturbing news about the Children's Enrichment Center. As President Mantella shared in her letter to the entire GVSU community on Thursday, this situation is heartbreaking, particularly for the children and their families. We are committed to doing everything in our power to provide care to those impacted, support our community as we all work through this trauma, heal and see that justice is served. We are cooperating fully with law enforcement who are leading the on-going investigation. While we wish we could share more, out of respect for the families involved, and to protect the integrity of the investigation as information unfolds, we are not able share more details at this time. We will continue to keep the GVSU community informed as information becomes available. We have created an online resource center for our faculty and staff here: GVSU Faculty and Staff - Resource Portal - Division of People, Equity, and Culture - Grand Valley State University.

In moments like this, the strength of our community is found in the care and support we extend to one another. Please look out for one another, make use of the resources available to you, and take care of yourselves and each other.

Jen

Advancing Academic Affairs

At the college start-up meetings, I shared some of the ways we are working together to position Academic Affairs for a strong and sustainable future. Our work is grounded in Grand Valley's mission, vision and values, Reach Higher Together and the Academic Affairs Strategic Framework, and in our shared commitment to providing a high-quality Grand Valley education for generations to come. 

As part of that work, I am pleased to announce the Academic Affairs Future Design Task Force, a six-month effort bringing faculty, staff, academic leaders, and representatives of faculty governance together to consider how the academic infrastructure of our programs, units, and colleges can best position Academic Affairs for the years ahead. 

The task force will be co-chaired by Mark Schaub, Dean of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and Adrienne Wallace, Professor of Communications and Chair of the CLAS Faculty Council. I will participate as an ex-officio and active member of the group. 

The task force will consider an academic structure that supports student belonging and academic success; strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, experiential learning, teaching, and research; builds upon our disciplinary strengths; enhances delivery of our academic portfolio; and creates greater organizational and financial sustainability. 

There are several clear parameters for the work. The task force will examine models at other institutions as well as imagine new models and possible futures. The resulting structure will not add colleges beyond our current eight degree conferring colleges. Finally, the recommendations must produce meaningful cost savings that contribute to long-term sustainability. 

The task force begins its work in September with research and exploration before developing potential options. There will be opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to participate in conversations and provide feedback as the work progresses. 

You can learn more about the task force, see its membership, and follow updates on its work on the Office of the Provost website: https://www.gvsu.edu/provost/academicaffairsfuturedesigntaskforce. 

This is an opportunity for us to think intentionally about what should endure and what should evolve, and how we can best position Academic Affairs to fulfill Grand Valley's mission to serve our students, the region, and the state of Michigan. I am grateful to the task force members for taking on this important work, and I encourage you to follow the process and participate as opportunities for engagement are announced. 

Updates

In June, we shared an update on the work of the Shared Leadership Steering Committee (SLSC) and the recommendations that emerged from our collective COACHE and shared leadership efforts. As noted then, the SLSC was designed to develop ideas for improvement and to help move them into existing structures and processes where the work could continue. The focus areas that emerged through this work included governance structures, budget transparency and literacy, internal communications, and professional development. 

To steward our next phase of work, a new leadership structure has been established that includes University Academic Senate leaders Courtney Karasinski and Anne Sergeant; former SLSC co-chairs Ed Aboufadel and Krista Benson; Provost Jennifer Drake; and Vice President Robert Shorty. This group will help establish clear objectives, move recommendations into the appropriate existing structures, bring people together to ensure shared responsibility and co-development, and assess progress and adjust as needed. 

In the coming weeks, we will share an overview of actions in progress and planned for the 2026–27 academic year. We look forward to continuing this work together and keeping the university community informed as it moves forward. 

Information about our shared leadership work is available on the Office of the Provost website. 

This fall, Academic Affairs is continuing the budget education series begun last year with Budget 101: Understanding the GVSU Budget and Budget 201: Understanding Budgetary Levers. 

Budget 102 will focus specifically on the Academic Affairs budget and our ongoing work to ensure our long-term financial sustainability. The session will include a brief overview of where Academic Affairs ended the 2025-2026 fiscal year, where our budget stands today, and the three-year plan to right-size the budget, improve resource distribution, and create greater flexibility across the division. 

Two sessions will be offered: 

The same content will be presented at both sessions. These are in-person sessions only, and seating is limited, so an RSVP is essential. A recording will be available following the sessions for those unable to attend in person. 

To make the most of Budget 102, participants are encouraged to review the materials from Budget 101 and Budget 201 before attending. Materials are available on the Office of the Provost website (GVSU credentials are needed to view content). 

Our goal for these sessions is to continue to build shared understanding of the budget and provide greater transparency about how Academic Affairs is planning and making decisions for the years ahead. 

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. Last week, a new update was added that provides information about University policy and applicable law on how faculty and staff can participate in political activities. Updates on executive orders impacting federally-funded projects can be found on the Office of Sponsored Programs website.

Engaged Scholarship

Important Dates and Links

Previously Shared Events
9/15 - GV Technology Summit 2026 Proposals Due
9/17 - Chalk Art Symposium, 4:00 p.m., Mary Idema Pew Library, Valley Campus
10/11 - Teach-In Proposals Due
10/14-10/15 - CCESS2026 "Ways of Knowing in Climate Change Education", Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
11/3 - GV Technology Summit, 8:30 a.m., Kirkhof Center, Valley Campus
11/10-11/11 - GVSU Teach-In

Important Dates
10/26-10/27 - Fall Break
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.