Happy Tuesday, colleagues!

The past few weeks have brought us to an exciting transition point in the academic year. This week, we welcome our students back to campus and begin another year of learning, innovating, and connecting. Before we get fully into the rhythm of the semester, I’ve been reflecting on some of the moments and themes that will help shape the year ahead.

One of those moments was last month’s GVSU Wellness Summit. It was encouraging to see so many of you across campus taking time to pause and invest in your well-being.

The Summit was also a reminder that wellness isn’t something we focus on once a year; it’s something we can continue to build into how we work and how we care for one another. As we continue to share content in our newsletters, we’ll be highlighting wellness opportunities with a special icon related to a dimension of wellness, featuring ways you can engage and support your well-being throughout the year. Read on to view the "key" and learn which icons to look for.

We’re also beginning the year with a clear sense of where GVSU is headed following President Mantella’s University Address. Her remarks highlighted several themes that will shape our work in the year ahead, including how we will continue to partner through shared governance and shared leadership. What particularly stood out to me was emphasis of choice. In the year ahead, I encourage you to think about how you will choose to show up for yourself and for others. 

I am heading into the academic year feeling energized by all of you, the innovation I see in our teaching and learning, our efforts to engage the broader community, and the beautiful spaces that surround us each day. I’m looking forward to how we will continue to create an environment where our people and our students can thrive in 2026-2027.

There’s a lot ahead as we welcome our Lakers back, particularly around move-in! Please consider volunteering with the Helping Hands program, beginning August 26, with a range of days and times available to volunteer.

At the end of move-in week, you can also help by greeting students by being part of the Laker Kickoff Spirit Tunnel, part of Laker Kickoff! The spirit tunnel takes place between 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 28. 

Before I close, I'd like to congratulate President Mantella on receiving the ATHENA Leadership Award for her work of strengthening not just GVSU, but the entire community. I’m proud to work alongside a leader who continues to demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact.

Thank you all for your ongoing engagement, and cheers to the 2026-2027 academic year!

Sincerely,

Robert Shorty, Ph.D.
Vice President for People, Equity, and Culture,
Chief People and Inclusion & Equity Officer

If you see one of these icons related to a dimension of wellness, know this is a way you can engage and support your well-being throughout the year at GVSU!

The Rainbow Resource Center's annual Rainbow Social will be an awesome time of connecting, with free BBQ, ice cream, GV/community resources, and three local artists offering a variety of fun activities during the event!

Volunteers needed: volunteer sign-up form.

Join the LGBTQ+ FSA for a Welcome Back Social Hour at the Knickerbocker (Holland Brewing Company, Grand Rapids) to meet and greet with other faculty and staff members. Knickerbocker has a full menu, a full bar, and mocktail menus. Appetizers on the FSA!

The GVSU Teach-In: Lifelong Learning Toward Educational Equity and Action is a campus-wide opportunity that explores educational equity across disciplines. Join us November 10 on the Valley Campus and November 11 on the City Campus. Consider incorporating the Teach-In into Fall courses, programs, or departmental activities.

Faculty, staff, and students are invited to submit session proposals by October 11.

The next two cohorts of Leading Lakers: Activate––GVSU's leadership development program––will take place September 22 and 29 on the City (Health Campus), and October 22 and 29 on the Valley Campus.

The Activate program is open to any employee who has an interest in growing as a leader regardless of supervisory status. All regular, full-time employees (AP, PSS, Faculty, MGS, POAM, COAM, Security Staff) are eligible and encouraged to submit an interest form.

Participants will attend two in-person learning sessions and engage with an accountability pod for six-months following the in-person sessions. Participation in both days of programming, as well as the monthly accountability pods, is required for completion.

To participate, submit your interest for one of the upcoming cohorts below:

Deadline: September 4

Deadline: September 18

Bringing together caregivers who are responsible for caring for multiple generations, often their own children, aging parents, and the family members in between. No matter who you're caring for, you are not alone.

Interested? Email Joy Allen at gianakuj@gvsu.edu.

A welcoming community for dads across campus to connect through the joys and challenges of fatherhood. No expectations, just connection and conversation.

Submit your interest: Dads Network.

Whether you're cooking in your kitchen or over an open flame, this is the place to share recipes, tips, questions, and wins. No pressure, just good food and good ideas.

Submit your interest: GV Cooking Network.

Monthly gatherings provide a precious opportunity connect with other moms who understand the unique joys and challenges of balancing work and family life.

Submit your interest: Tired Moms Club.

Cohort members partner with the Department of Inclusion and Equity to strengthen student belonging and advance educational equity and well-being across campus.

Participants will collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners; contribute student perspectives to equity-focused initiatives; and co-facilitate three student focus groups during the academic year.

Know an interested student? Please pass this along! Current GVSU students with an interest in inclusion, equity, leadership, and student belonging are encouraged to apply. Submit an application through Workday, along with a résumé and written statement responding to the application prompts. 

Applications will be reviewed immediately and accepted until filled. Contact Lauren Enos at enosla@gvsu.edu with questions.