Mno'chigewin: Student Success Program - is designed for students who self-identify as Native American. Through Mno’Chigewin, students are exposed to culture-based programming to enhance their university experience with the ultimate goal of improving academic success, retention, and successful completion of University.

Before the start of the academic year, we host Maajtaadaa, a three-day orientation to welcome you to campus, help you connect with fellow students, faculty, and staff, and navigate the many campus and community resources available to you.

Throughout the fall and winter semesters, students have the opportunity to engage with faculty, staff, and student peers to create meaningful and authentic relationships that support their academic, cultural, and emotional well-being. As part of the MnoChigewin Programming, we started the Nwiijkiwenh Mentorship Program. This group of GVSU faculty and staff is dedicated to serving our Indigenous population on and off campus. The more interactions a student has with those caring adults on campus, their success rates of completion, greatly increase.

Lin Bardwell (she/her/hers)
Program Coordinator
Native American Student Initiative 
Division of Inclusion and Equity

Grand Valley State University
[email protected]
(616) 331-2177