A Message from VP Shorty

Happy Mid-July, colleagues!

We’re over halfway through summer––time flies! Hopefully this month is allowing you time to rest and recharge, as I know we are all preparing for a vibrant campus community with new and returning students and faculty.

As we look ahead, I want to remind you that this is a great time to begin setting yourself up for success for the academic year ahead. Whether you're wrapping up summer projects or preparing for fall (or a bit of both), I encourage you to be working on your performance goals for the year. When thinking about your individual development plans, I also want to encourage you to engage in the opportunities offered by our division team members, some of which are featured in the sections below.

In preparing for the academic year ahead, we can't forget about the changing landscape. Navigating these changes is a marathon, but as we continue to stay in community with each other and with shared leadership, we will navigate these moments together. Continue checking The Hub for any university news and updates, or sign up using a new notification feature to stay up-to-date.

Before I get ahead of myself, let me also reflect on the month of June, a month of numerous celebrations within our community. Thank you to so many of you for joining us at our Juneteenth (From Roots to Rise) and Pride Month (GVSU Reel Pride) celebrations, and other community celebrations supported by GVSU. The connections forged during this time were powerful, and I can't wait to continue this momentum this fall.

When we think about Pride, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and the many celebrations in between, let's continue to celebrate community, freedom, diversity and independence. I'd like to share a video from our Juneteenth event that shares a bit from our community about what this means to them. After watching the video, fill out the prize form for a chance to win!

Watch From Roots to Rise: A Juneteenth Celebration recap.

Lastly, after continued collaboration, this month we are determining our priorities that can realistically be accomplished within the next academic year. Keep an eye out in the September newsletter for the reveal of our strategic priorities and work for the academic year.

As always, thank you all for your time, engagement, and continued partnership!

Preview of the PEC strategic plan development.

Sincerely,

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

GVSU continues to be recognized for our focus on a people-first culture and we're excited to share details of the latest honor. President Mantella has received the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) 2025 Chief Executive HR Champion Award for her leadership in this space.  President Mantella was selected for the leadership she's shown as GVSU has taken steps to embed the human resources function into its strategic goals and institutional priorities, and her support for leadership development at the university including initiatives like Leading Lakers, a tiered leadership development program that uses the university’s newly developed eight employee competencies as a framework for cultivating leaders. Congratulations to President Mantella!

Read the full press release.

Drop-in basketball is available for faculty and staff in the Recreation Center from noon-1 p.m. on the following Wednesdays this summer:

All drop-in games will be played on Court 7. No registration is required – just bring your GVSU ID, stop by on your lunch break, and enjoy some friendly, casual competition with colleagues. All skill levels are welcome!

For details or questions, please contact Aaron Mowen (mowena@gvsu.edu).

Looking for someone to talk through challenges with? Gary Atkins, work life consultant powered by our employee assistance program AllOne Health, is available to support you with any challenges, big or small.

Gary is available to meet with you virtually or in-person to discuss personal or professional issues impacting your well-being, and provide support and resources.

Leadership Roundtable: Developing a Team of Superheroes – How Empowerment Unlocks Assets
July 31, 11 a.m.–Noon, Valley Campus & Virtual

Join us for an engaging and interactive Leadership Roundtable that explores how empowerment and asset-based thinking can transform your team dynamics and workplace culture. In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to recognize and leverage the unique strengths—your “superpowers”—that each team member brings to the table.

Communicate to Lead: Essential Skills for Managers – Authentic Communication
September 18, 9-11 a.m. & 1-3 p.m., Health Campus (DCIH)

Leaders and organizations thrive when their communication climate celebrates and promotes genuine, robust, and open communication. The techniques featured in this session will help you navigate delicate topics, address conflict, and create safe spaces for rigorous low and high-stakes discussions.

During the month of July, we honor Disability Pride Month, remembering the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was signed in July 1990, and celebrating the unique identities and experiences of people with disabilities.

Our colleagues in Student Accessibility Resources and Recreation and Wellness are hosting a celebration of the 35-Year Anniversary of the American with Disability Act (ADA) and Disability Pride Month on Wednesday, July 23, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. at the GVSU Recreation Center (Valley Campus).

Stop by the open house event to explore at your own pace, engage with interactive stations, learn about Wheelchair Basketball or Goalball, and connect with fellow Lakers who champion accessibility and inclusion!

Recent changes to GVSU policy resulted in a new name for the Antidiscrimination/
Equal Employment Opportunity Office and updates to digital and printed content across the university. “Affirmative Action” is not a term used by organizations, as instructed by the current administration, including when referencing things such as an Affirmative Action statement, an Affirmative Action Plan, or Affirmative Action hiring goals.

Please audit your office’s public web content and any new printed content that you may produce to ensure it does not contain references to Affirmative Action or the initials AA/EEO. 

Instead, refer to the Antidiscrimination/Equal Employment Opportunity (A/EEO) Office, the Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Equal Employment Opportunity and Antidiscrimination Policy, Antidiscrimination/Equal Employment Statement and its shortened versions, and so on. Your prompt attention to this change is crucial to maintaining compliance with university policy.  

GVSU remains committed to inclusive, impartial, and equitable hiring practices. Hiring committees are still responsible for making a good faith effort to cast the widest net while recruiting applicants. For more information or to submit questions, please visit www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity or email the Antidiscrimination/Equal Employment Opportunity Office at antidiscrimEEO@gvsu.edu. 

Still not sure what the Employee Ombuds role is, when you should schedule a meeting with the Ombuds, or what your formal reporting options are? Check out the frequently asked questions (FAQs) listed on their website to learn more.

On June 19, GVSU community members gathered at a vibrant community celebration at Dickinson Park honoring Juneteenth, featuring GVSU’s Sustainable Resource booth. Special thank you to our fellow Lakers for their engagement in this event:
Crystal Scott-Tunstall, Keigh-Cee Bell, Morgan Knapp, Karen Gipson, and many more.

In partnership with the President's Office, PEC welcomed retirees back to campus at the first Laker Retiree Summer Social, specifically honoring our most recent retirees for their contributions.

From Roots to Rise, a GVSU Juneteenth Community Celebration, was held the day after Juneteenth, offering and immersive educational experience on the background and meaning of Juneteenth, and celebrating freedom of those who experienced and descended from slavery.

GVSU Reel Pride, open to students, faculty and staff alike, showcased the movie But I'm a Cheerleader and served as a celebration of all our LGBTQIA+ friends and allies.