by Dottie Barnes

photo by Bernadine Carey-Tucker

George Grant Jr. began his professional career in child welfare where he worked in foster care, adoption and family preservation with children who suffered abuse and neglect.

He came to Grand Valley 18 years ago to work on a joint project between Grand Valley’s School of Social Work and the Kent County Department of Human Services. He worked with students who were placed within the department and provided supervision, while also teaching classes. After serving in various roles at Grand Valley, he was named dean of the College of Community and Public Service (CCPS) in 2008.

Grant received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Marygrove College, a master’s degree from Grand Valley and a doctorate in sociology from Western Michigan University. He spoke with Grand Valley Magazine about his career path, the 10th anniversary of CCPS, and his passion for community engagement.

GVM: It’s not unusual for students to change majors. You set out to be a lawyer and then found social work to be a better fit. Tell me about that.

Grant: In college, I took a variety of classes and spoke with different program directors and faculty members regarding my career. Once I learned about social work, I knew it was a better fit for me.

I wanted to work with people who have challenges and needs, and advocate for them to have access to information and resources, so they would have the power to make decisions to help themselves.

GVM: Did you always have a passion for wanting to help those less fortunate?

Grant: Yes, I think it comes from my family and community, who believed in giving back. People made sacrifices and choices to help my family and me, and I believe I have an obligation and a responsibility to do that for other people.

GVM: Can you give some examples?

Grant: Many people took the time to speak with me, listen to me and mentor me. Some of the most important people were those in my church. The key was they took the time to interact with me and make me feel welcome at events where I didn’t know anyone. I was a Cub Scout, Boy Scout and an Eagle Scout. The people in this program were great role models for me.

GVM: Did you have other role models?

Grant: My mother was just an unbelievable person. My dad passed away when I was 6. And, although we fit the definition of poor, my mom made sacrifices that ensured we received some of the things we needed to be successful. She taught me to value faith, family and community. We never talked about what we couldn’t do or didn’t have.

My other role model was my older sister. She loved books and I read what she read. Reading those books helped me feel good about being African American and helped me understand some of the challenges of our history and how to use those challenges to make myself better, and help others

GVM: CCPS is celebrating 10 years. It’s a unique college because there are four academic units (School of Criminal Justice, Hospitality and Tourism Management, School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration, and School of Social Work) and two non-academic units (Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and CCPS Undergraduate Advising Center).

Grant: The college was formed in 2004 as part of the university’s reorganization. We have this wonderful mix of faculty and staff who are both academics and practitioners, so they bring those talents to the classroom, and I believe our students are better prepared when they enter the work force.

Our faculty and staff members are involved in many community organizations, sitting on boards or volunteering their time to lend their voices and expertise. They are also involved in great research — publishing their work so others can benefit from their knowledge.

GVM: How has CCPS changed over the years?

Grant: The biggest change is that faculty and staff from different units have gotten to know each other, so we have become more cohesive as a college. We have built relationships so we can take a deeper look at opportunities to collaborate on projects for students to interact with faculty across units. This unique blend of programs allows us to take on some interesting and challenging projects, which allow us to provide information that can ultimately have a positive impact on people in the community.

GVM: What do you see for the future of CCPS?

Grant: We will always expand and grow in our teaching to find new ways to meet the needs of our changing demographics of students coming to Grand Valley. I would like to expand collaborations in the community and across colleges. The work being done in the Office of Community Engagement is helping us better understand the work that’s going on within the college and within the university, and the impact that Grand Valley is having on those communities.

We want to continue finding ways to reach out to the larger community so they understand the value of CCPS and the partnerships that can impact society by working together.

GVM: Your dream was to help people and give them access to information. Do you feel like you’ve reached your goal, especially serving as a dean?

Grant: My role as dean allows me to support and encourage faculty, staff and students. And, it allows me to sit at tables in the community to help shape discussions about issues that can help impact people’s lives. On top of that, I get to witness students graduate each semester who will go out and impact the world. My position fits everything that I am, my beliefs, the way I was raised and my mission in life. That’s what makes me feel good every day about coming to Grand Valley.

About Grant

• His favorite books are “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines and “Kindred” by Octavia Butler

• His favorite poets are James Weldon Johnson, Gwendolyn Brooks, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Langston Hughes

• Grant has served on several boards including Adoptive Family Support Network, Christian Counseling Center, Recuperation Center, Bethany Christian Services, Greater Grand Rapids Urban League, KConnect.

• Grant and his wife, Beverly, received the 2015 Drum Major award for justice from the Grand Rapids Urban League, its highest honor.

• The couple received the 2015 William Glenn Trailblazer Award at GRCC’s Giants Award ceremony.