![Picture are Dave Huizen and Regina McClinton, who were named professors of the year by ESP students.](/gvnext/files/img/article/5FEF6A5E-07FA-D5E8-F6D0010C61A20EBA/47E0B58E-C583-4023-A73FEE8C3BC86F20/original.jpg)
Two faculty members honored by ESP students
![Picture are Dave Huizen and Regina McClinton, who were named professors of the year by ESP students.](/gvnext/files/img/article/5FEF6A5E-07FA-D5E8-F6D0010C61A20EBA/47E0B58E-C583-4023-A73FEE8C3BC86F20/original.jpg)
Two faculty members were honored by students in the Educational
Support Program at an annual luncheon March 22 in the Alumni House.
Dave Huizen, assistant professor of occupational safety and
health management, and Regina McClinton, director of the Intercultural
Training Program, were named professors of the year. ESP students
nominate a faculty member who was influencial and instrumental to
their success. ESP, a TRiO program, provides resources and support to
first-generation and underrepresented students.
Student awards were given to those with the highest and most
improved GPAs, and students graduating in the winter and fall
semesters were recognized.
Mike Messner, director of the Student Academic Success Center,
said the ESP students were successful because of the collaboration at
Grand Valley from staff and faculty members like Huizen and McClinton.
“You are the folks who push our students through the barriers
that might come up and help them succeed,” Messner said.
Messner added that the six-year graduation rate for the ESP
cohort was 72 percent. Also, 96 percent of ESP students are in good
academic standing and the program had a persistance rate of 98
percent, according to statistics from the 2011-2012 reporting
year.
The keynote speaker at the luncheon was Rosalynn
Bliss, Grand Rapids city commissioner. Bliss, who also works for D.A.
Blodgett-St. John’s as director of residential services, relayed her
story of growing up in Sault Ste. Marie and moving by herself to
Mobile, Alabama, to attend the University of South Alabama.
“My wish for you is to continue to use your will to succeed to
positively impact your communities and neighborhoods,” Bliss said.
Subscribe
Sign up and receive the latest Grand Valley headlines delivered to your email inbox each morning.