Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is committed to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff and students.  The GVSU Lakers Unidos will advance the university’s commitment to diversity by being a vehicle to build community and to improve the recruitment, retention and advancement of a diverse faculty, staff and student body.

The Lakers Unidos will address Latino/a interests at GVSU, including educational concerns and advancement of the Latino/a/x community.  Its priorities include assisting in the recruitment, retention and advancement of Latino/a/x faculty, staff and students.  The Lakers Unidos will also create a sense of community and a support network that nurtures Latinos/as/x as visible and viable contingency within the Grand Valley State University community. 

Build and Create a Sense of Community

• Develop a community and support network that nurtures Latina/o/x Faculty and Staff as a visible and viable part of the GVSU environment and leadership
• Provide professional and personal support to GVSU Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff
• Give a voice to the concerns of the Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff on campus. 
• Help to maintain a positive work environment for Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff
• Create and authoritative website
  • To inform, promote Latino/a/x faculty and staff involvement in any activities, projects initiatives and efforts at the campus, regional, national and international levels. 
  • As repository of Latino/a resources.  

Promote, Advocate and Support the Recruitment, Retention and Advancement of GVSU Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff

• Support the growth and professional development of Latino/a Faculty
• Work with GVSU administration on issues relating to the Latino/a Faculty  and Staff Recruitment, Retention and Advancement
• Assist GVSU in the area of recruiting, engaging and retaining Latino/a employees
• Promote and celebrate GVSU Latina/o Faculty and Staff educational contributions and achievements
• Provide mentoring to Latino/a faculty and staff.

Promote, Advocate and Support the Recruitment, Retention And Graduation Of Latino/a/x Students

• Support the university’s initiative to increase the recruitment and retention of Latino/a/x Students. 
• Support the university’s existing programs, services and organizations that work directly with prospective and current Latino/a/x students.
• Work with university programs, services and organizations to increase Latino/a/x student participation.  

Network and Collaborate

• Network and collaborate with other local Latino/a/x Faculty and Staff affinity groups in Western Michigan
• Support campus community engagement initiatives by developing and strengthening collaborative relationships between the university and the West Michigan Latino/a/x community
• Provide opportunities for social and professional networking.
• Network and collaborate with other GVSU’s affinity groups.