From left, Trustee Victor Cardenas, President Philomena V. Mantella
and William "Bill" Pickard talk during the Southeast
Michigan Ambassadors program at the Detroit Center August 16.
Photo Credit:
Amanda Pitts
Elizabeth Russell, at right, speaks to attendees at the Detroit Center.
Photo Credit:
Amanda Pitts
Trustee Mikyia Aaron talks to the audience at the Detroit Center.
Photo Credit:
Amanda Pitts
B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and
Educational Outreach, addresses the audience in the Detroit Center.
Photo Credit:
Amanda Pitts
President Philomena V. Mantella, Vice President B. Donta Truss and
members of the Board of Trustees met with Detroit area leaders August
16 to create a new ambassadors program that will expand opportunities
for southeast Michigan's students, adult learners and business owners.
Speaking at the GVSU Detroit Center, Mantella said the Southeast
Michigan Ambassadors program fits with the university's strategic
plan, Reach Higher 2025, which focuses on three commitments:
personalized educational experience, lifelong learning, and
educational equity.
"We see our partnership with you as playing a key role in both
advancing those commitments and enhancing the future of the metro
Detroit area," Mantella said. "We are relying on you for
connections with others and ideas of how to expand Grand Valley's
opportunities to Detroit area residents."
Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational
Outreach, told the audience there is tremendous potential in the
Detroit region. "Grand Valley wants to make sure that this work
is done correctly so it serves legacy Detroiters and recognizes their
tremendous contributions to this region," he said.
The catalyst behind the ambassador program was former Grand Valley
Board of Trustee member William "Bill" Pickard, Detroit
entrepreneur who is a co-managing partner of the MGM Grand Detroit
Casino, among other businesses.
Pickard encouraged potential ambassadors to become advocates for the
next generation of talent to come from southeast Michigan. "I
received my degrees from other universities but I learned about
business from Grand Valley," Pickard said.
Truss said Pickard is connected to one of Grand Valley's newest
educational partners. Pickard's father graduated from Fort Valley
State University, which joined Grand Valley to develop the HBCU/HSI Consortium.
Current trustees Mikyia Aaron and Victor Cardenas each spoke about
the importance of the southeast Michigan area, the potential of the
ambassadors program and the impact it can make.
For more information about the Southeast Michigan Ambassadors
program, contact Elizabeth Russell via email at [email protected].
Opportunities to participate in Juneteenth, Pride Month and the Black Boys and Men Symposium strengthen our commitment to an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere through our active efforts to create a sense of belonging.