Van Dam gives update on GVSU footprint in Battle Creek at chamber event
November 26, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 7)
Article by
Al Shifflett
Kara Van Dam, vice president and chief executive of Omni, gave updates on GVSU's expanded footprint and impact in Battle Creek and Southwest Michigan, including renovations to the Kendall Center space, during a November 12 Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce event.
GVSU’s new home in the future Battle Creek Innovation Hub is set to open in the Fall 2025 semester. Van Dam said the space will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, bringing GVSU Omni’s innovative and impactful programs to the region.
The hub will include a café operated by local food entrepreneurs, reception and dedicated learning spaces for Grand Valley and a unique commercial and teaching kitchen. The project will include staff offices and classrooms, supporting Omni's mission of serving working adults through flexible, accessible learning models.
Van Dam emphasized that Grand Valley is committed to serving working adults across Michigan.
“We are bringing programs to learners where they live and in ways that fit their needs, partnering with community colleges so Grand Valley can be present where learners need us most,” Van Dam said.
GVSU is committed to addressing educational disparities in Michigan. Forty-two percent of adult learners from four-year institutions do not complete their credentials within eight years, and Van Dam said that problem is magnified in underserved communities. Partnerships with colleges like Kellogg Community College will help address that gap, she said.
By offering microcredentials, certificates and bachelor’s degrees at KCC and the GVSU center, Omni supports adult learners who want to advance their skills and careers. Van Dam said these flexible programs empower individuals to enhance their quality of life, building a stronger, more resilient community.
Van Dam said that GVSU is driving economic and educational impact in Battle Creek through significant collaborative partnerships, including the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Battle Creek Unlimited and local organizations such as the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce.
Kara Beer, president of the Battle Creek Chamber, called GVSU a great partner, not only locally, but across the state, and added “the chamber world is seeing that.”
“The community is excited about GVSU’s expansion in Battle Creek,” Beer said. “The renovation will establish an innovation hub that truly embodies our ‘learn where you live’ motto. Together, we’re building a brighter future for Battle Creek.”
Al Shifflett is GVSU’s director of Southwest Michigan
This article was last edited on November 20, 2024 at 9:47 a.m.