In This Issue

baseball is a good antidote for death where else do we mutter belief scream in light where else do we coach the best out of one another

                                          --from “The Cure,” by Katherine Harer 2002

After an academic career of nearly three decades—much of it in twelve-month administrative roles—I still am regularly asked by friends and family this time of year: “so you are off for the summer now, right?”

The effort I put into my answer usually depends on my mood, or perhaps my relationship to the questioner.

In many ways, our university summer terms are indeed “off.” Other than first year registration activities and teens doing summer athletic or other camps, the campus feels appropriate off. Most of us 12-monthers pack the bulk of our allocated vacation days into a three month window. There are few scheduled in-person classes that require wakeup alarms, or M-45 commutes, or trolling the lots for a parking space. That is how it should be!

I know none of you are taking the summer off. You’re doing all the things, some of which I observe directly: recruiting and advising and registering students; revising articles or book chapters, gathering data, communicating with those of us in the Dean’s Office. I hope, too, you’re able to be doing the things you need and deserve: ballgames and beach days and reading things for fun. Whatever you’re doing: Cheers. 

Brooks College Dean's Office and School of Interdisciplinary Studies faculty recently traveled to Traverse City to connect with students, alumni, and community partners. From networking with current students and graduates to exploring new opportunities through our partnership with Northwestern Michigan College's Aviation program, which continues to expand transfer pathways for aviation students pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science degree through GVSU, the visit highlighted the power of collaboration and the exciting opportunities ahead.

Read more HERE

Maureen Wolverton, SIS Senior Affiliate and INT 100 course coordinator, was the recipient of a $10,000 grant from Michigan College Access Network’s (MCAN) Gateway Course Redesign Academy to redesign INT 100 Reflect, Connect, Engage focusing on improving student success, retention, and degree completion through aligned curriculum, advising, and co-curricular experiences. Jennifer Jameslyn, Brooks Advising Center Director and Julia Mason, Interim Associate Dean are also participating, because the MCAN Redesign model intentionally includes faculty, advisors, and administrators on each team. The 18-month Redesign Academy includes regular online workshops with other Michigan institutions, meetings with an MCAN-provided coach, participation in the MCAN Conference, and one in-person session, the Gateway Course Innovation Summit. The Summit was held on May 14–15. The GVSU team along with Assistant Director, School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Justin Pettibone, presented at the Summit, sharing insight and strategies with colleagues from across Michigan. The MCAN team is also facilitating faculty workshops as a key part of the redesign process.

Technology is part of nearly everything we do, from how we learn and work to how we connect with others. Laurence José, director of Digital Studies and co-leader of the Digital Literacy Initiative is ensuring this initiative is helping students and faculty build the knowledge and confidence needed to ethically navigate an increasingly digital world.  This is being done through AI focused courses, collaborative projects, and faculty learning opportunities.

Read more about it HERE

Integrative Studies alumnus Marcelo Betti was recently honored with the Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate a commitment to understanding, respect, and inclusivity. As legal director of Immigration Law & Justice Michigan, Betti advocates for vulnerable populations, including refugees, victims of domestic violence, and unaccompanied children seeking lawful status in the United States.

Read more about it HERE

The Grand Valley community came together to celebrate Juneteenth with food, music, and dancing. The event provided an opportunity to honor the history and significance of Juneteenth while bringing people together with celebration and community.

Read more about it HERE

The GVSU Inclusion and Equity Institute is committed to providing learning and development for faculty and staff to further knowledge, skills, and abilities related to these core values. Each week, the I&E Institute offers FREE, dynamic, and helpful workshops on a variety of topics. 

You can review the list of workshops HERE

Faculty, staff, and students came together for a day of friendly competition and connection at the annual GVSU cornhole tournament. Teams competed in a bracket style tournament while colleagues and friends cheered from the sidelines! Brooks College staff members Abby McClure and Samantha Rypstra competed as the team 'Cornheads'. 

Grand Valley kicked off Pride Month with Pride by the Pond, a fun community celebration. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community through educational activities, performances, and opportunities to connect.

The event highlighted the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, while also recognizing the advocacy and resilience that continue to shape the LGBTQ+ community. Attendees enjoyed drag performances, trivia bingo, local treats, friendship bracelet making, and opportunities to learn about campus and community resources.

Pride by the Pond reflects Grand Valley's ongoing commitment to fostering belonging, inclusion, and meaningful connections across campus.

 Read more HERE: 

School of Interdisciplinary studies professor, Crytal Scott-Tunstall along with CLAS Associate Dean Dwayne Tunstall and Engineering student Christopher Tunstall are in their 6th year of tabling at the Annual Grand Rapids Juneteenth Celebration. This year they were joined by many campus and community partners who came together to share resources, information, and giveaways including over 500 vegetable plants, seeds from the mobile seed library sponsored by the Mary Idema Pew Library, school supplies, and environmentally friendly products such as reusable bags, plastic free laundry soap, & more! 

Summer in West Michigan students, along with the Brooks College Dean Mark Schaub and Assistant Dean Kate VanDerKolk, recently explored Grand Ravines Park to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area located just behind GVSU. Guided by George, students discovered how invasive plant species have become naturalized over time, learned that the ravines are relatively young at only a few thousand years old, and discussed the impact of the emerald ash borer on the park’s tree population. George’s expertise and engaging storytelling made for an informative and enjoyable experience. Students will have another opportunity to learn from him during an upcoming kayaking excursion later this month.

Summer in West Michigan program has been up to many fun adventures activities this summer. Keep up to date with the next adventure HERE

On May 14th, Dr. Brian Deyo in ENG 382 class, took the students out to the arboretum to discuss how the campus’s landscape impacts local ecosystems. 

On May 20th, students went to the Grand Rapids Public Museum where students learned about the environmental history of the Grand River and took part in an activity where they took on the roles of different community stakeholders to make decision regarding development along the Grand River. Students then explored the museum.

On May 26th, in INT 323 students visited the Sustainable Agriculture and Wetland Preservation Experiential Learning Lab near campus with Gib King, a biologist from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

On May 28th, in INT 323, students took a field trip to Schwailler Farm in Coopersville to see how a local farmer, Richard Schwailler, restored a wetland on his farm.

In June, Dean Mark Schaub, Assistant Dean Kate VanDerKolk, and Interim Associate Dean Julia Mason visited students participating in the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP) internship program. The visit provided an opportunity to connect with interns, learn more about their experiences, and recognize the meaningful contributions they are making throughout the community.

While attending the Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture conference in Leeds England this summer, WGS faculty member Krista brought along their WGS fan. Fortunately, it survived the journey and was useful during a record-breaking heatwave, with temperatures as high as 90°F and a humidity of around 85%. We’re always excited to see Brooks being represented all around the world.

"The summer is always the busy season at the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP). We spend
our days tending the land to grow delicious food and providing hands-on educational
experiences for visiting students to learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture, even
in the tech age. After all, we still need to eat.

To manage all of the moving pieces on the farm, the SAP has a solid team of students, who
wake up early to beat the heat and work collectively to tackle the (seemingly) never ending
to-do list. There are 10 interns this summer, and along with the farm crew, there are a total of 15
GVSU students at the SAP! It’s always a pleasure to train new interns and farm crew about the
ins and outs of sustainable farming and mentor them through their relationship with the land.
The SAP has several partnerships this season, which continue to grow our reach and impact by
rippling new ideas, sustainable practices, and plant starts out into our community. For instance,
the SAP and Brooks College have partnered with Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility to provide
programming during the summer and deliver close to 300 plant starts for their community
garden. This partnership brings new perspectives about food sovereignty and self-determination.
I am excited to witness the growth of this program because it feels so healing. Farming has
healed me in more ways than I know, and I firmly believe in the healing power of nature to work
wonders.

Additionally, the SAP has partnered with a professor at Western Michigan University to study the
effects of covering cropping with a single species or with a mixture on the soil organic matter.
This professor aims to encourage large-scale Michigan farmers to adopt sustainable farming
techniques by showcasing the benefits of cover cropping on different soil types. The SAP is one
of two locations that will plant a grid of cover crops to determine the effects on the soil’s health.
This is an example of one of the areas where interns can immerse themselves in the world of
sustainable farming research and learn about the practices that protect our resources.
A few weeks ago, we hosted our Trio High School Program at the SAP. This week was a
smashing success. From the very start, the energy and desire to learn about sustainable
agriculture was contagious. We shared a variety of enriching experiences such as yoga, a
traditional tea reading ritual, designing personal planter gardening buckets, building bird houses,
making fresh juice using SAP produce, and collaborating on paper making. I was so impressed
to hear many students asking agricultural questions based on experiences they have had at
home or around their neighborhoods. I feel this week gave the farm crew an excellent
opportunity to inspire the next generation of farmers, and Trio got an opportunity to bring
excitement, wonder, and community into the SAP.

This week, we harvested our first ripe tomato, which is such an exciting miracle. The farm crew
all took bets about when the tomato would ripen up, and Avery guessed right, winning bragging
rights and the first bite. If you want to purchase some of the delicious produce, we have started
our weekly farm stand at the clock tower on Wednesdays from 10 am - 2 pm. I hope to see
some of you there!"

If you are interested in visiting or hosting a class out at the SAP, you can contact Isak, the farm
manager, at daviisak@gvsu.edu to schedule a visit

August 7 - Classes end second 6 and 12 weeks 

August 10 - 11 - Examinations second 6 and 12 weeks

August 11 - Session ends

August 17 by 12:00pm - Grades due from faculty - second 6 and 12 weeks

August 31 - Classes begin

September 6 - 7 - Labor Day recess

October 25 - 27 - Fall Break

November 25 - 29 - Thanksgiving Day recess

December 12 - Classes end

December 12 - Commencement

December 12 - 19 - Examinations

December 19 - Semester ends

December 22 - Grades due

Note: partial term courses have different tuition and refund deadlines. View additional deadlines in the course index. 

View the rest of the Summer 2026 Academic Calendar HERE 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Fill out the form below to submit an event or announcement (with photos!) for the Brooks College Newsletter or email brookscollege@gvsu.edu