We are the Office of Student Life
Mission
We empower students to discover their passions while building inclusive communities of belonging through experiential learning in campus programming, civic engagement, and student organizations.
Vision
Through transformative experiences, all learners will create lifelong memories, develop transferable skills, and be prepared to lead with integrity in a dynamic society.
Our Values
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND JUSTICE: We advocate for all students to have access to resources and equity in opportunity.
CONNECTION AND BELONGING: We support students in building meaningful relationships and communities of belonging.
DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT: We inspire students to discover meaning and purpose as they engage, learn and grow.
FUN AND ENJOYMENT: We design fun and unforgettable GVSU traditions that instill Laker Pride.
COLLABORATION: We partner across campus and communities to enhance the student experience.
Staff Directory
First Name
Melissa
Last Name
Baker-Boosamra
Pronouns
She/her
Email
bakerbme@gvsu.edu
Title
Associate Director of Student Life for Civic Engagement & Assessment
Team/Area
- Civic Engagement
- Programming
Website
gvsu.edu/service
Office Phone
(616) 331-2349
About
Melissa Baker-Boosamra is committed to the public purpose of higher education. Throughout her career, she has worked to educate students to become informed and engaged citizens who are empowered to create the world they want to live in. Before joining the GVSU Office of Student Life in 2014, Melissa served as a faculty member in the GVSU Liberal Studies Department, a nonprofit professional, a community organizer and an ESL teacher for migrant farmworkers. She has developed and led international and domestic community based learning courses and built multiple successful university-community partnerships. Melissa seeks to build bridges between university and community in all of her work and to utilize education as a tool for empowerment and equity. Melissa has spent time throughout Central America, exploring the relationship of US economic and military policy on the region, and on patterns of migration. She is inspired by lessons learned in Central America about the power of social movements and community.
Melissa earned her Master of Arts in Public and Nonprofit Administration at Grand Valley State University. She received the Michigan Campus Compact Presidential Service Learning Scholar Award in 2010, led the team who received the GVSU AP Award for Outstanding Team Project at GVSU in 2017, and was recognized by the Hispanic Chamber of Western Michigan in 2018 as a Bridge Builder. She currently serves on the Cesar Chavez Social Justice Scholarship Committee, a NASPA/ADP/TDC Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Annual Conference Planning Committee member, and as the NASPA LEAD Consulting Institution Cohort Co-Lead for GVSU. At GVSU, she serves on multiple university committees, including the Civic Action Plan Core Team, the Campus Democratic Engagement Coalition, and the Team Against Bias. Outside of work, Melissa loves spending time with her three children, Chloe, Asa and Ocean. She loves bike riding, swimming, playing basketball, going to the beach, kayaking, dancing, reading, and being with friends and family.
StrengthsQuest Themes
Connectedness - Input - Communication - Ideation - Woo
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