GVSU secures state grant to help retain graduates in Michigan

Grand Valley is already recognized as Michigan’s leading university in retaining students for the state’s workforce. Now, a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Growth Office will further enhance one of GVSU’s key priorities.

President Philomena V. Mantella and Vice President for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach B. Donta Truss announced on October 17 that the university was selected for the first round of a state-funded initiative, the Make MI Home grants.

GVSU administrators, regional economic development leaders and state representatives gathered at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health for the announcement. The state’s Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe announced that the Make MI Home pilot grants awarded more than $660,000 to five innovative programs across the state. 

“We are honored to host this event in the heart of our health care campus where innovation happens here every day around the critical in-demand health care jobs that we need so much in our state and in our nation,” Mantella said. “We recognize that creating vibrant communities with robust educational and job opportunities that attract and retain talent is truly a team sport.”

Grand Valley received a $200,000 grant to promote, attract and retain international, Black and Hispanic students pursuing their master’s degree in fields related to STEM-H (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and health), said Truss. 

“We are able to reach these learners through deep and meaningful partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions as well as other educational institutions that span the globe,” Truss said. “In our work, we have to acknowledge and solve challenges that will help us to keep our learners and help them to be successful while they're here as a part of the Grand Valley State University family.”

Truss said the grant funds will remove barriers along these students’ educational journey and will help GVSU’s collaboration with local partners, The Right Place and the Urban League of West Michigan.

The financial support will provide reverse scholarships, assist students in relocating from campus to permanent housing in the region and cover temporary work visa fees for international students, enabling them to gain practical experience in the United States.

“These are real barriers that are being removed because of the investment that we are receiving, and we're not going to stop there.” Truss said. 

Research by the Upjohn Institute, and published in Washington Monthly, showed that Grand Valley leads state institutions at retaining students in Michigan post-graduation. For every $100,000 spent in state appropriations, Grand Valley retained nearly five graduates.

Grants like Make MI Home aim to address the state’s population decline and build a workforce for state employers, said Doe.

“Part of my office's work is launching these pilots and programs to help grow the population, and Make MI Home takes this new approach to address growth,” Doe said. “It's truly a first of its kind in the nation. It's unique and it gives our regions the opportunity to lead and articulate what type of program will help their unique communities grow and prosper.”