Summer program connects housing and interns to West Michigan

Students from across the country are calling Grand Valley home this spring and summer while they complete internships in West Michigan. 

Nearly 100 students, including 80 non-Grand Valley students, representing 31 universities are living on the Pew Grand Rapids and Allendale campuses. The newly formalized program, facilitated by the Career Center and Housing office, began two years ago with about five students. 

"Our goal at Grand Valley is to introduce young professionals to West Michigan, so for us to be apart of that is important," said Susan Proctor, employer development manager for the Career Center. 

Proctor said the program was created because summer housing can be a challenge for companies that hire student interns from out of state.

Amway was the first company to partner with Grand Valley. This year, 25 employers are participating, including Meijer, Van Andel Institute and Steelcase. 

Molly Murray, corporate recruiter for Amway, said the company's interns enjoy living in the same area and spending time downtown. "We don't want our interns working from home or staying beyond their 40 hours because we want them to explore downtown and the beaches, so when we make them a full-time offer, the area is a selling point, not a detraction to their decision," Murray said. 

Mike Ashcraft, client services manager for Residential Camps and Conferences at Grand Valley, facilitates the summer intern housing program. He said Grand Valley accommodates many interns, including those who bring their families with them. 

"One man who lived at Winter Hall received a job offer after his internship and relocated his family to Grand Rapids. We'd like to think we had something to do with that," said Ashcraft. 

Proctor said the housing program is just one example of the ways in which Grand Valley is responsive to local employers' needs.