The Graduate School

The Graduate School at Grand Valley State University recognizes the outstanding achievements of 39 individuals through the Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence. These awards celebrate graduate students and faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and academic performance in graduate education. The selection process reflects a collaborative effort, with graduate students being nominated by faculty, advisors, program directors, and departmental leaders, while faculty members are nominated by students in recognition of their invaluable contributions to teaching, mentorship, and inclusion. All nominations undergo a thorough review process conducted by the Vice Provost for the Graduate School, who approves the final selections. This celebration highlights the university's commitment to academic excellence and its pride in the remarkable accomplishments of its graduate community. Congratulations to all the award recipients!

To explore the full awards program and learn more about each honoree, please click here.

Sydney Bunk is a master’s student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration program and serves as a Graduate Assistant for Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs in the Padnos International Center. Sydney is passionate about connecting students with study abroad opportunities and promoting events for students across campus. She works closely with faculty, updates the center’s website, assists in Faculty Led Programs, as well as many other tasks she accomplishes on a day-to-day basis.

After graduation, Sydney wants to pursue higher education and guide students to have amazing experiences in their college journey. She loves talking to people and learning about their individual experiences. Her time in the Padnos International Center has better prepared her for learning many different backgrounds and being able to take that information to help other students on their individual journeys.

Master of Criminal Justice student, Brennen Stevens, has become a loyal and dedicated asset to the Writing Center at GVSU. Between his time at GV as an undergraduate student to now a graduate student, he has devoted six years to helping students with their writing needs. Stevens is currently a Graduate Assistant for the Seidman College of Business where he provides one-on-one support to all student writers.

Brennen explained how his graduate assistantship has allowed him to continue expanding his experience in the Writing Center. He has been able to further refine and explore technical writing, which has also strengthened his understanding of grant writing. He has gained experience with forms of writing he hadn’t encountered often before, better preparing him to handle a wider range of writing genres in the future. 

Grand Valley’s University Libraries has launched the Library of Things, a unique collection that goes beyond books to provide students with access to tools, games, and everyday essentials. Located on the first floor of the Mary Idema Pew Library, the collection includes practical items like sewing machines, crutches, car tools, and calculators, as well as recreational options such as board games, puzzles, and lawn games. The goal is to meet students’ one-time or occasional needs, reducing barriers related to cost and accessibility. Developed through campus surveys and community input, the Library of Things continues to grow with new additions like zine-making kits, with plans for future items such as bird-watching and book club kits.

Where in the Woods is Carmen Sandiego? GVSU biology professor and interim assistant vice provost Jennifer Moore, Ph.D. is leading a fascinating, multi-year research project tracking threatened wood turtles and their raccoon predators in Michigan’s Manistee National Forest. Alongside a dedicated team of student researchers, Moore is working to better understand and protect these vulnerable reptiles in a changing ecosystem. Learn how raccoons like "Jelly Roll" and turtles like "Carmen Sandiego" are helping researchers uncover key insights to support conservation.

Read more about the project and meet the creatures at the heart of this important work here!