Kara Van Dam, vice provost for Graduate and Lifetime Learning
Photo Credit:
Amanda Pitts
Kara Van Dam, vice provost for Graduate and Lifetime Learning, knows
that GVSU is well-positioned to meet the needs of adult learners with
innovative approaches to education.
Van Dam, an expert in adult education with more than 20 years of
experience, has been sharing the Grand Valley vision with key groups
across campus including the Provost’s Cabinet and University Academic
Senate (UAS).
With slightly less than half of Michigan's adults (49.5 percent)
lacking a postsecondary credential and the method of how adults want
to learn significantly changing, the landscape is primed for Grand
Valley to deepen its engagement with adult learners. “Adults want
frequent stops and starts to their progress, flexible modalities and
programs that align with industry and profession standards,” said Van Dam.
Van Dam said growing Grand Valley's regional network can help bring
education to working adults. Most Michiganders (97 percent of the
state's Lower Peninsula) live within 100 miles of accessing GVSU, she
said, noting university locations in Detroit, Traverse City, Jackson,
Battle Creek, Holland and Muskegon.
"At GVSU, we are uniquely positioned to leverage our regional
campus network to make a meaningful impact for Michigan adults wanting
to upskill, reskill and complete their degree," said President
Philomena V. Mantella. "Doing so is aligned with our Reach Higher
commitments and strategies, as well as the right thing to do for the
communities we serve across the state and beyond."
Steps to support expanding access to a GVSU education include
activating regional campuses and building faculty and curricular
capacity to meet market needs.
“Dr. Van Dam’s history of success in this space will allow Grand
Valley to amplify our academic portfolio for learners we aren’t
currently serving,” said Provost Fatma Mili.
Before working at Grand Valley, Van Dam served the University of
Maryland Global Campus as vice president for overseas academics,
including a Department of Defense contract that delivered academic
programs at 120+ military bases in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
She was also UMGC's vice provost and dean of the Undergraduate School,
where she led large-scale curriculum development, including a
commitment to stackable credentials and high-quality open educational
resources (OERs) to reduce students’ materials costs, and championed
new approaches using adaptive learning, prior learning assessment and
competency-based education.
Campers toured and participated in activities at the Sustainable Agricultural Project, Laker Esports Center, biology labs, Mary Idema Pew Library and AWRI.
Wave Lumina earned second place at the AquaHacking Challenge, a pitch competition in Traverse City for startups with technology focused on freshwater solutions.