As part of a regional campaign to significantly grow the technology sector in west Michigan, Grand Valley State University is creating the Blue Dot Ecosystem. The Blue Dot Ecosystem supports the intersection of technology, digital literacy, and connections within the business community, powered by unique programs and learning spaces.  

The Blue Dot project is founded on a vision of creating proficiency in digital skills and catalyzing the highest forms of cooperation between GVSU and the community. Beyond a downtown Blue Dot Lab that will be attached to the Eberhard Center, the philosophy of the Blue Dot project is informing and inspiring the whole campus community, leading to increased experience- and project-based learning for students, affording more solutions to critical problems for employers, and supporting the regional economic development and economic transition as we migrate from an industrial to a digital and AI economy.

Built upon the work of a broad set of university stakeholders going back to 2017, the Blue Dot Ecosystem project has achieved several milestones in 2023 and 2024:

• The “Tiger Team”, appointed by President Mantella, created an updated proposal that includes program, space, tech/equipment, design, and other recommendations. 
• In late 2023, the State of Michigan pledged $30 million towards Blue Dot facilities.  Planning to construct the Blue Dot Lab facility is occurring through early 2025.
• Through a shared governance process, a common definition of digital literacy for GVSU was agreed to.
• GVSU’s Board of Trustees approved a proposal to create a new College of Computing.  The inaugural dean of the College was announced in May 2024.
• Current components of the Blue Dot Ecosystem on campus include the Applied Computing Institute, X>STUDIO, Project Grand Path, and the futurEDlab.

The Blue Dot project is currently led by Ed Aboufadel (Office of the Provost) and Karen Ingle (Facilities Planning).   The Blue Dot Lab project to renovate the Eberhard Center is included in the new GVSU master facilities plan.