Meet the Staff - International House
Faculty
Mayra Fortes González
¡Hola! I am the Faculty Director at the International House and an Associate Professor of Spanish in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. I am originally from Puebla, Mexico. I received my PhD in Hispanic Literatures from Vanderbilt University and I started working at GVSU after graduating from Vanderbilt, in 2009. I teach courses about U.S Latino culture, U.S Latino literature, Composition and Conversation, Literary Analysis, Reading and Telling Stories...all in Spanish! I love teaching about my language and my culture. I have been involved with the Latin American Studies minor and I have helped to organize the Day of the Dead event at GVSU, an event co-sponsored by the International House. I have taught a course on Latin American immigration to the U.S in the Honors College and I will be teaching a course on Latin American culture in the winter 2016. I enjoy working with students because they are full of energy and have good ideas, especially at the International House!
142 Murray Living Center | [email protected] | (616) 331-3804
Kevin Neitzert
Kevin was born and raised here in Michigan and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He came to Grand Valley after having taught Elementary German at MSU, where he also completed his Master’s degree. Kevin taught English for two years at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany, and still visits close friends there every few years to keep his language sharp. “I love my work here at GVSU. Working with students who are seeking different perspectives is really rewarding. I catch a little feeling of excitement when they explore the world.”
142 Murray Living Center
Professional Housing Staff
JASMINE PADIN
Living Center Director
Jasmine is a full time Living Center Director in Housing and Residence Life. She oversees about 750 residents living in Murray Living Center, VanSteeland Living Center and Grand Valley Apartments. Within these living centers are two academic communities (International House and Gender Justice House). She graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Leadership with a minor in Business and a Master’s in Education. She is also the academic advisor for Women's Lacrosse and Women's Basketball.
104 VanSteeland Living Center | [email protected] | (616) 331-4297