Dear faculty and staff,

As we move through the heart of February, our Black History Month celebrations and programming have been nothing short of an amazing testament to the intellectual and cultural richness of our community.

There is still time to lean into these opportunities! I am particularly looking forward to February 20 when we welcome Dr. Jeanette Epps to the City Campus for our PEC event, Reaching New Heights with Jeanette Epps. Dr. Epp’s journey as an astronaut and scientist embodies the very excellence we strive for, and I hope to see many of you there. You can further engage with Dr. Epps as she hosts an engaging keynote, part of the Roger That! Conference, February 20 and 21.

We are also entering a significant time for many in our community as multiple faith traditions begin periods of spiritual reflection and fasting. Whether it is the observance of Lent, the upcoming month of Ramadan, celebrating the Lunar New Year, or other sacred traditions (see the Multifaith Calendar), these practices are central to the lives of many of our students and colleagues.

Supporting one another during these times is at the core of our commitment to an inclusive workplace and learning environment. I encourage you to utilize our website for guidance on how to best support students and peers who are fasting and learn more about fasting on the Kaufman Interfaith Institute's Multifaith Dietary Restrictions page. A little flexibility and proactive empathy ensures that we remain a community where everyone can bring their whole selves to their work and study.

I want to take a moment to reinforce the message recently shared by President Mantella regarding the Board of Trustees’ approval of Reach Higher Together and the investment in the Blue Dot ecosystem.

From a "people and culture" lens, I want to be candid: Growth and foundational change are rarely comfortable, but we must be clear about the "why" behind this discomfort. We are navigating a landscape of shifting demographics and evolving financial realities; we choose to lean into the discomfort of transformation today so that we do not have to face the pain of irrelevance tomorrow. By laying this foundation now, we are ensuring that GVSU remains a place where "human flourishing" is a reality for generations to come.

I was deeply moved by the words of our colleague Dr. Adrienne Wallace at this year’s Faculty Awards Convocation. She reminded us that intellectual rigor and hope are not mutually exclusive. During her talk, she said, "You can critique systems while working within them to change them; you can acknowledge real constraints without letting them become an excuse for complacency."

This is exactly the energy we need for our next chapter. We must have the capacity to move the work forward even as we come together in shared leadership to thoughtfully critique our path or identify needed resources.

To do this, we must evolve our understanding of shared leadership. It is a process of collective wisdom and robust dialogue, but it is not a guarantee that every individual’s preferred path will be the one selected. I am calling us to move away from the idea that a lack of consensus equals a lack of shared leadership. Instead, let’s move toward a culture where we can disagree on the "how" while remaining fiercely aligned on the "who"—our students—and the "where"—the thriving future of this university.

We can create space for critical dialogue while acknowledging that we all want the best for this amazing institution. I look forward to that work together, ensuring that as we reach higher, we remain anchored in you.

In solidarity,

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

Join the Greater Grand Rapids Women's History Council (GGRWHC) and GVSU partners* for an engaging evening celebrating the life and legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Explore RBG's groundbreaking contributions to gender equality, law, and culture through film and conversation with local experts. 

GVSU Partners: Center for Women and Gender Equity, CLAS Visual & Media Arts, Faculty Teaching and Learning Center, GVSU's Women's Commission, and Division of People, Equity, and Culture – Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

Join the march to honor César E. Chávez's 26th anniversary. The march will begin at The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, continuing down César E. Chávez Avenue to the Potter’s House Chapel. A community gathering is to follow at the Potter's House Chapel.

View the flyer to learn more.

In celebration of Women's History Month, join us for a talk led by Dr. Janell Hobson, "We Fem the Past to Fem the Future: From Harriet Tubman to America's Founding Feminists." As a Professor of Women's, Gender & Sexuality studies at the University at Albany, author, and regular writer and guest editor for Ms. Magazine, Dr. Hobson will discuss why women's histories matter now more than ever.

Presented by Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and the Division of People, Equity, and Culture.

For the first time in U.S. labor history, five distinct generational cohorts are working side by side: Silent/Traditionalists (1928-1945), Baby Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), Millennials (1981-1996), and Generation Z (1996-2012). This session explores how generational identities shape workplace expectations, communication styles, and values. Register in WD Learning.

Session led by Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury and Laila McCloud; hosted by the AP Committee.

Marlene Kowalski-Braun, associate vice president of Inclusion & Equity, recently presented at the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) in Washington DC as part of the National Cohort for Shared Equity Leadership.

The session specifically focused on fostering a “Shared Equity Leadership Approach," allowing GVSU the opportunity to showcase the excellent work being done by faculty and staff.

Creative Wellness: Mindful Making
Feb. 24, Noon-1:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center

Join us for mini tapestry weaving as a way to support personal and community well-being through creativity and creative practice. 

Interfaith Dimensions of Campus Inclusion
Feb. 25, 2-3:30 p.m., Zoom

This session explores how we at GVSU can create welcoming environments for folks of all religious, spiritual, and secular backgrounds.

Intro to Restorative-Based Conflict Prevention & Resolution
Mar. 20, 10-11:30 a.m., Seidman Center

Reflect on your conflict styles, learn about basic principles of restorative practice, and gain familiarity with additional tools related to conflict prevention and resolution.

The HerStory series allows the GVSU community to hear firsthand the stories of women in leadership positions and discover how these experiences contributed to their success.

Light lunch will be provided, sponsored by the Office of the President. 

As workplaces rapidly adopt new tools and systems, women often experience these shifts in distinct ways, shaped by inequities in workload, expectations around availability, emotional labor, caregiving responsibilities, and access to decision-making power. Participants will be invited to reflect on where optimism and fatigue coexist, explore the gendered realities of workplace technology, and imagine more equitable and sustainable ways of working together.

RSVP for this Conscious Conversation. Hosted by the Women’s Commission.

This event is intentionally designed to be a moderated panel focusing on on-campus resources that support the 2SLGBTQIA+ faculty/staff community. We will ask panelists representing GVSU HR, Title IX, and Employee Ombuds to share information about their office, how recent legislation may be impacting GVSU policies/procedures, and resources for GVSU faculty/staff to advocate for themselves and others.

The event will conclude with an open Q&A. Pizza and beverages will be provided.

Connect with international faculty, staff, and friends from across GVSU! International Faculty & Friends (IFF) Last Thursday Coffee & Snacks series is a casual, community-building gathering where you can enjoy the Laker Club’s complimentary coffee, tea, and snacks while meeting colleagues. We hope you’ll stop by, say hello, and help us continue building a strong, supportive international community at GVSU.  

Save the date for upcoming gatherings: March 26. 

Join us for a free screening of the Japanese film Evil Does Not Exist (2023), directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi. This beautifully crafted film explores community, environment, and moral responsibility in rural Japan, offering plenty to reflect on together. After the screening, we will walk to KCM for a casual conversation, cultural exchange, or simply a chance to unwind and connect (appetizers provided).

Hosted by International Faculty & Friends (IFF) FSA.

To better reflect the full civil rights scope of our office, the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX email address has been updated to ocrtix@gvsu.edu (previously titleix@gvsu.edu). 

If our contact information is listed on your website or other materials, please ensure to use ocrtix@gvsu.edu going forward.

In celebration of the Employee Ombuds' 5-year anniversary at GVSU this year, they want to hear from you!

Do you have any impactful memories, stories, shoutouts, or words of encouragement to share as it relates to the office? If so, share them below:

Stay tuned for more information about a 5-year celebration!

QueeraPOOLooza is back! Join the GVSU’s Rainbow Resource Center, in partnership with RecWell, for our Palentine's Edition of our bi-annual queer and trans pool party. Activities will include swimming, games, crafts, food and more. Wear any swimwear you are comfortable with as long as it is water safe material!

The Girls of Color Summit is a one-day event designed to empower and inspire girls of color through education, leadership development, and community connection. It brings together middle and high school students with educators, speakers, and mentors to celebrate identity, build confidence, and encourage future academic and personal success.

This year’s theme, “Color Outside the Lines – Celebrating Creativity and Breaking Barriers,” highlights resilience, confidence, and self-expression, encouraging participants to embrace who they are and imagine bold possibilities for their futures.

We’re currently looking for volunteers to help make this impactful event a success. If you’re interested in supporting this meaningful experience for youth in our community, please fill out the volunteer form linked below:

This annual event brings together the campus community to celebrate the programs and people that make GVSU exceptional. Throughout the day, faculty and staff are invited to support the areas on campus that mean the most to them. Stop by one of the on-campus event locations to participate in activities highlighting the impact of philanthropy across the university.

Additional details coming soon.