News
Grand Valley's Regional Campuses at the Heart of Omni
August 23, 2024
Introduced in February, Grand Valley’s Omni initiative utilizes its expanding network of regional campuses and community college partners to bring a GVSU education that offers accessibility and flexibility for today’s adult leaders to balance their life and work commitments.
The university’s regional network means that learners across the state can access a GVSU education, whether they are in Detroit, Traverse City, Battle Creek, Jackson, or Dowagiac. This is possible through GVSU's deep partnerships with numerous community colleges, including Northwestern Michigan College, Jackson College, Southwestern Michigan College, Kellogg Community College, and more. Through this, Grand Valley forms a responsive network for students across the state.
“Omni is going to be a leader in this space through this collaborative model, responding to community needs as they come and pivoting as needed,” said Al Shifflett, director of Southwest Michigan. “We’re expanding our reach to respond to the community’s needs.”
GVSU Omni will address a glaring statistic for Michigan’s economic future — a shortage of adults with post-secondary education degrees and certifications. Michigan reports 2.5 million adults lack post-secondary degrees.
At her State of the State address in 2019, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled her “Sixty by 30” plan, targeting the skills gap among Michigan adults by aiming for 60 percent of adults to obtain either a post-secondary degree or skills training by the year 2030.
In 2024, 51.1% of Michigan’s adult population have reached that milestone, rising from 50.5% in 2021, when the national average was 53.7%.
Shifflett and Shannon Owen, director of Northern Michigan, believe Grand Valley’s approach is unlike other programs around the nation. Owen said Grand Valley’s own presence in the state fortifies Omni’s credibility and mission.
“What we're hearing from our local constituents and partners is that students are looking for more of a hybrid model with access to both online and face-to-face classes,” Owen said. “They want to establish a community and want to have some in-person components. Not only is the hybrid model helping them connect with other potential or prospective students, but it also helps the students with accountability.”
At the end of April, Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac became the most recent community college partner to sign on with GVSU Omni. Building on their associate degree from SMC, students can continue their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley while living and working in southwest Michigan. Kellogg Community College is also deepening its partnership with GVSU to provide academic programming for Battle Creek residents.
At SMC, GVSU Omni will offer the bachelor’s of applied science. The Professional Innovation and Leadership and Business majors will be offered on the SMC campus.
“For an adult who's already in the workforce, GVSU Omni will give them upward mobility and give them opportunities to promote within their current career or maybe choose even a different trajectory,” Shifflett said.
“In a way, we’re giving these students and communities hope. With having an educational partner, and with us intertwined within the economic development of our communities, we’re also giving a bigger voice for new industry, and building a talent pipeline for attracting that new industry as well.”
Story by Brian Vernellis