New deans of computing, nursing will begin work in July
Marouane Kessentini and Linda Lewandowski discuss what Grand Valley has to offer students.
Featured
May 14, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 18)
September 19, 2023 (Volume 47, Number 2)
Article by
Brian Vernellis
Faye Richardson-Green, former Steelcase executive, is the Meijer Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Meijer Honors College.
Photo Credit: Amanda Pitts
The prospect of teaching a university course had never occurred to Faye Richardson-Green. With nearly 40 years of business, leadership and nonprofit experience, she admitted she was “technically retired,” when she connected with Melba Vélez Ortiz, a faculty member in the Frederik Meijer Honors College.
And yet, after she spoke with one of Ortiz’s classes, Roger Gilles, director of the honors college and professor of writing, gauged Richardson-Green's interest in teaching a class.
“It was an interesting proposition,” Richardson-Green said. “This became an interesting sort of new pathway for me, and so I got really excited about the opportunity to engage in learning activities with students.”
The fall semester marks Richardson-Green’s first as the Meijer Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the honors college, succeeding Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss in the position.
She held various leadership roles at Steelcase Inc. for more than 30 years, including director of Global Talent Management. Now owner of a consulting firm, Richardson-Green is also a founding board member of Partners for a Racism-Free Community.
Once a week, Richardson-Green teaches an honors seminar class — “Leading others in an othering world,” she said — and getting acclimated to her new environment. At one point, she said, she had to ask a student where the closest place on campus was to get lunch.
“Academia is a new arena for me,” she said. “So, learning as much as I can about Grand Valley, and these students in particular, will help me ensure that I am bringing real value to the school and to these students.”
As she grows more accustomed to campus, Richardson-Green said she sees her role as an opportunity to nurture and guide her students, instilling lessons from her experiences and introducing them to fellow community leaders.
“Because I don’t come from academia, I probably have a different perspective on learning than others who have held this role may have had,” she said.
“My initial vision is marrying my world of business and service in such a way that the students benefit through the mentoring I can provide. I want to engage students by providing real-world examples of work, leadership and service in a way that truly deepens their own educational experience at Grand Valley.”
This article was last edited on September 18, 2023 at 11:1 a.m.
Marouane Kessentini and Linda Lewandowski discuss what Grand Valley has to offer students.
Featured
May 14, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 18)
The CLAS Voyage will embed multiple hands-on, career-connected educational experiences into the learning of every student studying a CLAS major.
May 14, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 18)
Article by
Peg West
Carley Curtis and Kate Snow earned the People's Choice Award from the Asian American Hotel Owners Association for their presentation that offered solutions for underperforming hotels.
May 14, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 18)
Article by
Brian Vernellis