As I celebrate five years of serving as GVSU’s president, it feels like only yesterday that I arrived in the Midwest, eager to lead a university with a strong foundation, passionate people and enormous potential. 

From day one, I recognized that Grand Valley was the pivotal force in a state and region positioned for greatness. The days have indeed been long, but they have been filled with joy, as we’ve done the hard work (and had plenty of fun along the way!) to shape our university to stand out among our competitors and deliver on our nation’s most pressing needs. 

Reflecting on the past five years, this journey has been far less about me and far more about us — the students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community partners. The pride I feel stems from the energy and tireless work ethic that connects us and fuels all that we do. 

An extraordinarily special university

As an outsider before taking this role, I first discovered what we now call our “secret sauce” through a bit of first-rate detective work! 

When I came to West Michigan for my interview, I did my own exploration incognito as a Steelcase executive’s spouse before I met with the interview team. I went around downtown and Allendale talking with GVSU alumni, students, residents and local business owners. Their response to Grand Valley was universally glowing. Everyone raved about Grand Valley, the people, our approach to education and our level of community engagement. Finding such universal acclaim is rare! At that moment, I knew I had found an extraordinarily special university. 

I was compelled to leave my very full life on the East Coast and make the move here, with my husband and mother. I moved far from our children and extended family, but five years later as I reflect on that decision, I’m proud of that choice and my ability to examine the situation accurately and see the essence of a university with power, potential and purpose. I’m thrilled that today my family can’t wait for the next visit to "hip" Grand Rapids, and I wake up each day feeling joyful and blessed to be part of something that makes a difference in the lives of so many. 

Staying true to GVSU’s spirit

Despite facing unprecedented challenges — starting my journey just before a global pandemic that required unprecedented actions, weathering attacks on the perceived declining value of higher education, navigating shifts in public funding and the urgency of supporting students who are facing challenges distinct to their generation — Grand Valley has stayed true to its spirit. This is a unique and special community. In difficult times, and even in the face of these dynamics and unforeseen circumstances, Grand Valley has found a way to progress and deliver on our commitments. I’m deeply grateful to all who have navigated this terrain, before and during my time here, as one university community. 

Today, GVSU continues to adapt, excel, and evolve. We are building a future of resilience, rooted in our strengths and our agility which enable us to pivot for the greater good. This is what drew me to GVSU and it’s what I saw reflected in the people I met on day one: a shared sense of purpose and the utter exhilaration of a community coming together to transform lives, enhance local business and build an inclusive community for all. 

“From transformational education programs like REP4 and Omni, to the dedication to provide an education that meets statewide outcomes in the top quarter while remaining in the bottom quarter for cost, learners at GVSU are well-prepared to succeed in their pursuits, professions and purpose.” 

Beth Emmitt
Chair of GVSU Board of Trustees

Since our founding, Grand Valley has done extraordinary work while finding new ways to expand its reach and deepen its impact. It has changed for the good many times over in its short 65 years. The changes required addressing new and dynamic circumstances while remaining grounded in Grand Valley’s mission and values. I vividly recall my first meeting with President Emeritus Don Lubbers, the man responsible for so much of the success we enjoy today. We had an instant connection, to the point where our one-hour meeting ended up lasting well beyond two hours. As we talked, I quickly realized that despite being relatively young, GVSU has deep roots in this community — something universities far older cannot claim. This is thanks to Don’s extraordinary vision and leadership. I’m proud to say that Don continues to be a trusted advisor, mentor and friend, and I feel a deep obligation to continue the innovative and creative spirit he instilled here. 

Future of purpose, possibility and promise

As I look ahead, I am filled with confidence and great resolve. Higher education faces threats from those who see how education is structured and delivered today as the essence of a university experience, rather than seeing the power of talented people joined together in transformative work who readily adapt to a changing context. 

At Grand Valley, we understand our strength lies in our ability to be agile and evolve as the needs of our learners, state and world evolve. As we plan for a future where information, both good and bad, spreads in an instant, we will be ready to enter new domains and remain a beacon of critical thinking, civil discourse and lifelong learning. We will do so with the curiosity to explore new opportunities, the discernment to see the possibilities and pitfalls and the courage to act as we’ve done in our storied past. We will seek to have an enormous impact on the lives of individuals, our community’s well-being, state prosperity and a civil society. We will think and plan for multigenerational relevance, ensuring our grandchildren, who will undoubtedly face many unknowns, are equipped to rise to their generational challenges. We will model civil discourse in addressing our differences and divergent points of view in ways that challenge the norm in social media and politics today.

GVSU will remain a place where curiosity is encouraged, critical thinking is nurtured and all belong. Our classrooms and labs will be active zones of exploration and engaged learning, where our faculty embrace the integration of work and learning as rich places of practice. Our applied research will birth new ideas as our students actively participate and grow from the inquiry process. Our community values are our foundation and guide our work. Our educational experience encourages building connections and provides ways for learners to engage and lead with activities, study abroad opportunities and athletics all enriching the learning journey.  Students will be encouraged to find their voice and be the lead architects in their lifelong educational journey with the best and most caring expert guides. We will retain the humility to acknowledge our job as educators is to learn from our students, build their competencies and create the conditions for learning so that individuals can carry on when our role becomes to more loosely influence them as we grow distant from their daily lives. 

It has truly been a great five years, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I’d like to close with a personal story. After accepting the position as GVSU’s president, I told my mom that we were moving to Michigan and that she would become the “first Laker Mom.” I promised her an extended family to love and support. Mom passed away on June 11 of this year, proudly wearing her GVSU gear, her heart filled with great joy from the friends she made and the community she found. She was my first role model and had a heart for serving others. She was a life coach, cheerleader and advocate for many, and it is a privilege for me to continue that legacy.

I am honored to serve as your president, and I thank you all for your support, agility and passion to serve. Together, we will continue to build a future of purpose, possibility and promise.