The Graduate School

On April 28th, graduate students participated in the 2026 Graduate Showcase. The Graduate Showcase is an annual event offered by The Graduate School and Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence to highlight exceptional work done by graduate students. This event features graduate poster presentations on a wide variety of research and scholarly activities from all disciplines. 35 different projects were displayed and shared with students, faculty, staff, and supporters. 

The Graduate School at Grand Valley State University recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals through the Graduate School Citation Awards for Academic Excellence. These awards celebrate graduate students and faculty members who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and academic performance in graduate education. The selection process reflects a collaborative effort, with graduate students being nominated by faculty, advisors, program directors, and departmental leaders, while faculty members are nominated by students in recognition of their invaluable contributions to teaching, mentorship, and inclusion. Congratulations to all the award recipients!

To explore the full awards program and learn more about each honoree, please click here.

On March 31st, 20 graduate students from a variety of programs competed in The Graduate School's annual 3-Minute Thesis Competition. The 3MT competition provides a unique opportunity for students to share their work with the broader community in a fun and exciting format. The 3MT competition allows graduate students to present their research in just 3 minutes with the aid of a single slide. The 2026 first place winner, Jaclyn Driesenga, presented her work, "Exploring Gaps in Medical Services for Individuals with Down Syndrome: Insights from a Clinical Director Survey". To learn about other awardees and participants, visit the 3-Minute Thesis Competition page. 

Graduate assistantships provide graduate students with part-time, paid work experiences in their field of study, and allow them to expand and/or apply their discipline knowledge and skills under supervision. The activities assigned are to have educational value for the student, to enhance the student's academic experience. The Graduate School recognizes the unique qualities and skills that graduate students bring to their assistantships. Visit the Student Highlights page to learn more about a variety of graduate students and their graduate assistantships.

Grand Valley’s University Libraries has launched the Library of Things, a unique collection that goes beyond books to provide students with access to tools, games, and everyday essentials. Located on the first floor of the Mary Idema Pew Library, the collection includes practical items like sewing machines, crutches, car tools, and calculators, as well as recreational options such as board games, puzzles, and lawn games. The goal is to meet students’ one-time or occasional needs, reducing barriers related to cost and accessibility. Developed through campus surveys and community input, the Library of Things continues to grow with new additions like zine-making kits, with plans for future items such as bird-watching and book club kits.