APRIL 2026 PEC NEWSLETTER

Happy April faculty and staff,

I can’t believe how quickly we are approaching the end of the semester. This time of year always brings a unique mix of momentum, reflection, and celebration.

I’ve had the opportunity to attend several of our graduation celebrations already (see the included photos from Asian Graduation Celebration!) and I continue to be struck by how impactful these moments are. They serve as powerful reminders of the journeys our students have taken and the communities that have supported them along the way. Graduation celebrations will continue throughout this month, in addition to University Commencement ceremonies on May 1 and May 2.

In celebration of this exciting time, I encourage you to explore the stories of our students recognized at Award Convocation and Student Scholars Day, and to consider volunteering to support commencement activities. Your presence makes a meaningful difference. Visit the commencement volunteer registration page for more information––sign up by April 22!

Over the last few weeks, there's been so much amazing work and various people announcements that I'd like to acknowledge. First, congratulations to President Mantella on the extension of her contract through June 2031 from the Board of Trustees, and to our colleague Sean Lancaster, associate vice president for Academic Affairs, for his new role as provost at Ferris State University! It has been and continues to be a privilege to work with you both on shaping a people-centered culture at GVSU.

If you were not able to attend last week's Stewardship Across Time event, I encourage you to watch (or rewatch!) the recording. It was in incredible conversation with so much wisdom shared from our Grand Valley presidents, past and present. We heard about the importance of care for our people, the consistency of and ongoing commitment to GVSU's mission, how we maintain both stability and progress at the university, and an amazing reminder of how civility can help lead us to a place of belonging. Again, please watch the recording if you haven't had the chance!

While I did not have the amazing pleasure to meet Don Williams, retired dean emeritus of minority affairs, I would be remiss not to acknowledge his passing. Don was largely responsible for the creation of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and we remain committed to honoring and continuing the legacy he helped to build.

As we look ahead, there is much to anticipate with Asian American and Pacific Islander, Pride, and Juneteenth celebrations happening this summer, along with other opportunities to come together to celebrate the richness of our community. I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming weeks.

Finally, I want to extend my congratulations to any of you graduating with the Class of 2026. And to all of you who support, teach, mentor, and walk alongside our students each day, thank you. Your work is reflected in every student who crosses the stage. I wish you all a wonderful close to the semester.

Sincerely,

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

We're excited to announce that Candace Phenix will serve as the interim executive director for Human Resources effective April 20. Candace currently serves as the assistant vice president and deputy general counsel at GVSU and will continue to do so as she steps in to support the HR team. Candace spends about half of her time working with the HR team on employment related matters already and will continue that in this role. Please join us in welcoming Candace!

The next cohort of Leading Lakers: Activate will take place June 18 and 25, on the Valley Campus!

Leading Lakers: Activate is the first tier of our leadership programming and must be completed to engage in further Leading Lakers trainings. Participation in both days of programing, as well 6-months of monthly pod meetings following the initial two in-person days of learning.

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

Submit your interest for the upcoming cohort of Activate below, due May 10:

The 6th annual GVSU Cornhole Tournament is happening on May 19! Beginning at 11 a.m. on the Mary Idema Pew Library lawn, colleagues from across campus will be competing for the title of the 2026 cornhole champions. Louie's Lunchbox Food Truck will be on site, so come grab lunch and cheer on your colleagues.

Interested in playing? Add your team to the waitlist and we'll contact you if space opens up.

As we continue our work around shared equity leadership, faculty and staff across the institution were invited to the 2nd annual Shared Equity Leadership Summit on April 1. About 100 colleagues came together to connect, get a sneak peek at the new I&E Strategic Framework, hear from an engaging keynote speaker––Jarvis Sam, co-founder of The Rainbow Disruption––and attend breakout sessions led by faculty and staff. Thank you to our partners who engaged with us during this time! We appreciate your commitment to our values of inclusion and equity at GVSU.

Inclusive Leadership: From Identity to Action (2-Part Series)
May 15 & 29, 10 a.m.–Noon, Pew Campus

This two-part session explores how identity, leadership, and equity intersect.

Interfaith Dimensions of Campus Inclusion
May 21, 2-3:30 p.m., Zoom

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

LGBTQ Foundations, Level V: Let's Talk About it, A Guided Community Dialogue
Jun. 2, 10 a.m.–Noon, Zoom

If you have attended at least one LGBTQ Foundations session and want to go deeper, join us for shared conversation.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time for our community to focus on education, prevention, and survivor well-being. We encourage faculty, staff, and students to make time to engage with campus resources and programming throughout the month.

Our campus partners in the Center for Health and Well-being provide year-round support, prevention education, and confidential services. We invite you to connect with their programs and explore ways to help foster a safer and more compassionate campus community.

Looking to strengthen your interpersonal effectiveness in both workplace and everyday contexts? Join the Employee Ombuds in this on-demand video as she breaks down communication into practical, skill-based components grounded in mindfulness and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), offering real-world examples and guided exercises along the way.

You will be guided through key strategies, such as nonjudgmental awareness, solution-focused dialogue, and the DEAR MAN framework, to support clearer communication, healthier boundaries, and more effective conflict resolution.

Summer is just around the corner, and we have the perfect plans for your young ones!

Brought to you by Recreation & Wellness, Little Louies Day Camp is a camp where kids stay active, discover new interests, and build friendships that go beyond the school year. This summer, campers will enjoy:

Camp sessions start the week of June 8. Spaces are limited! If you have questions, please reach out to recwellcamps@gvsu.edu.

Click the flyer to learn more!

Two new classes are being offered next academic year that are open to all majors. BIO 315: Racism in the Conservation Movement will explore how racist beliefs influence(d) the Conservation Movement in the United States, and BIO 280: Indigenous Science Seminar teaches Indigenous Science through a combination of seminars by Indigenous experts and field trips.

Please share with students––or enroll yourselves! If you have questions, email Meg Woller-Skar at wollerm@gvsu.edu.