A Message from VP Shorty

As we count down the days until winter break, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the incredible work, partnership, and commitment you’ve shown throughout this past year. Your care for our students, your collaboration across departments, and your dedication to Grand Valley’s mission continues to make this community something special.

December has been full of reasons to celebrate our students and the impact of your work. A few of our newest alumni had the change to tell their commencement stories, and it’s been inspiring to highlight the journeys and achievements of our Fall 2025 graduates. Their success is a direct reflection of your support.

I also want to acknowledge the impact we made on Reach Higher 2025 and the collective engagement you’ve shown this year as we look forward to the future of Reach Higher Together. If you have not yet had the opportunity to attend an explainer session, you can watch the 2-minute explainer video, Reach Higher Together – Roadmap for Success, or view the full Reach Higher Together Explainer Session recording. All students, faculty, and staff were invited to attend the explainer sessions. These sessions, held November 5-6, were designed to share progress and demonstrate how community feedback is informing next steps. We look forward to sharing more in the coming months about the future strategic direction.

In preparation of the year ahead, I encourage you to make time and space to engage in events scheduled throughout Winter semester. The first few weeks back will include several opportunities to commemorate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with events scheduled beginning January 19-24. It’s important that we continue coming together in these meaningful moments.

I’m wishing you a joyful and restorative holiday season and am excited for all we will accomplish together in the new year.

Sincerely,

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

To ensure faster and more secure access to your tax documents in the new year, faculty and staff are encouraged to provide consent for electronic W-2 and 1095-C form delivery.

To ensure faster and more secure access to your tax documents in January, employees are encouraged to login to Workday and provide electronic consent for W-2 delivery. 

To update your preference, navigate to Pay > My Tax Documents > Editprinting method and submit your consent.

If electronic consent is not submitted, your W-2 will be mailed on 1/31.

To ensure faster and more secure access to your 1095-C in March, employees are encouraged to login to Workday and provide electronic consent for 1095-C delivery.  

To update your preference, navigate to View Profile > Benefits > Change 1095-C Printing Election > select "Receive electronic copy of 1095-C" > click "OK" > Done.

If consent is not submitted, you will not receive a hard copy of your 1095-C unless you request a copy via email. 

Conscious Uncovering
January 7, Noon–2 p.m., Zoom

Covering, often used as a mechanism of protection, can take many forms as individuals cover stigmatized and/or marginalized personal identities. Learn and explore tools to create brave spaces, spaces to empower the authentic self, uncovered.

Generations in the Workplace
February 3, 10-11:30 a.m., Zoom

For the first time in U.S. labor history, five distinct generational cohorts are working side by side. This session explores how generational identities shape workplace expectations, communication styles, and values.

Interfaith Dimensions of Campus Inclusion
February 11, 2-3:30 p.m., Zoom

Through stories, data, and reflection, this session encourages participants to think about how identity, belief, and belonging intersect on campus.

Shared Equity Leadership (SEL) Learning Pods offer a space for faculty, staff, and students to come together for learning and relationship building.

Small groups (4-5 people) will meet once a month (January-April, virtual and in person options are available) for one hour to explore equity-centered leadership practices across diverse roles and contexts.

You play a vital role in shaping an inclusive campus culture. Deepen your understanding of equity and leadership, connect with colleagues and students, learn strategies to embed equity into your work, and be part of a community committed to institutional change.

Upon signing up, you’ll be assigned to a pod and your monthly curriculum will be provided.

A Pod Coordinator will support your pod with logistics and coordination, and you will engage in activities from a provided workbook.

Questions? Contact Lauren Enos at enosla@gvsu.edu.

Members of the Grand Valley community gathered on November 25 to celebrate the renaming of the LGBT Resource Center, which is now the Milt Ford Legacy Collective: The Rainbow Resource Center.

The new name continues to honor the late Milton E. Ford, who created the first LGBTQ scholarships at Grand Valley and played an integral role in establishing a dedicated space for the community on campus. Read more in the Forum.

The Office of Civil Rights and Title IX team wishes everyone happy holidays and a restful winter break. Please be on the lookout for a physical holiday card from our office that includes a link to our online reporting form. While campus will be closed from 12/20/25–1/4/26, you may continue to submit reports to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.

The online form is the best place to submit all known details of alleged policy violations. Our team will review all reports when campus reopens the week of January 5. We remain available by phone, email, and walk-ins to answer questions and provide assistance through December 19.

Did you know the Office of the Employee Ombuds provides reports that include the number of visits to the office, high-level case data, key themes and systemic issues at GVSU, and recommendations to the university?

To view past reports, navigate to the Employee Ombuds website (gvsu.edu/employeeombuds) and click on the "Reporting" drop down menu in the navigation, and select a report to view.

Look forward to the next report in early Winter 2026!