Mantella, student leaders discuss getting back to normal after COVID during WJR radio interview

Getting back to a "normal" college experience after COVID-19 and expanding Grand Valley’s downtown presence were among topics discussed by students and university leaders during the WJR College Tour radio program with Guy Gordon.

Gordon's show was broadcast live from Zumberge Hall on the Allendale Campus on October 26.

President Philomena V. Mantella said Grand Valley is about 95 percent “back to normal” with face-to-face classes and clubs, athletics and organizations in full swing.

Mantella said GVSU is excited to dedicate the new Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on November 3 at a time when talent is so desperately needed in the health sciences. “We’ve expanded our simulation centers so students can get the best education with the best technology and see things that sometimes they don’t see for years on the hospital floor.”

Grand Valley continues to grow its entire Grand Rapids presence, Mantella said, highlighting the new Living-Learning Communities on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus for first-year students. She also discussed the importance of continuing to focus on experiential learning, lifelong learning and educational equity.

Greg Sanial, vice president for Finance and Administration and director of the Virus Action Team, said the vaccine requirement and aggressive testing were instrumental in being able to offer in-person classes and in the success of keeping COVID cases very low on campus.

Student leaders discussed a number of topics during the radio show. Tréondis Snodgrass, a senior from Belleville, is majoring in allied health sciences. He said much of what he is learning in the classroom relates back to COVID-19. 

“We are combining classroom knowledge and clinical field work together to experience what it’s like to be in a pandemic. So, it’s a very interesting time for health students right now,” Snodgress said.

Autumn Mueller is a senior from Ionia with a double major in political science and marketing. She is also president of Student Senate. Gordon asked her about campus discourse.

“We see students from a variety of different identities, backgrounds and political beliefs,” said Mueller. “We can still have productive conversations and respect each other’s opinions. We can agree to disagree and still be friends.”

Michelle Luciano is a junior and first-generation college student from Chicago who is majoring in political science. She said she decided to attend GVSU after falling in love with the campus and people during a college tour.

“I decided to stay on campus last year during the pandemic and it’s exciting this year to see the university take the necessary steps for us to have the full college experience,” said Luciano. “Students are happy to be back on campus and to be getting back to normal.”