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Faculty and Staff

Arnie Smithalexander | Danielle Palmer | Josh Brandsen

 Arnie Smithalexander

GVSU TRiO Programs Director
511 Eberhard Center
Phone: 331-3144
smithala@gvsu.edu

Arnie is a graduate of Central High School, Grand Rapids Community College, Western Michigan University, and Grand Valley State University.

She has three children who attended and graduated from the Grand Rapids Public Schools and have gone on to earn college degrees.

Arnie believes that...

• all students must be adequately prepared to choose a career path.
• the community must support and invest in the schools.
• parents are critically important to the success of our schools and students.
• all students need a safe, nurturing and clean environment in which to learn.
• every child must progress to the next grade with the skills to read at or above grade level.
• all staff must have access to participate in professional development.

Arnie currently serves on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education and their Education Committee. She also serves as a Board representative on the City/School Liaison Committee.

Danielle Palmer

Assistant Director
511 Eberhard Center
Phone: 331-3144
palmerda@gvsu.edu

Danielle graduated from Grand Valley State University with an English degree with an emphasis in Secondary Education and a minor in history. She has served as the Development Committee Chair for the Michigan Chapter of the Mid-America Educational Opportunity Program Personnel for 3 years and has also attended the Japan Center of Michigan Universities in Hikone, Japan. She have been with the Upward Bound Program since 2001.

Josh Brandsen

Instructor / Coordinator
511 Eberhard Center
Phone: 331-3144
brandsjo@gvsu.edu

Josh graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in mathematics and a minor in computer science with an emphasis in secondary education. He later completed his Master of Education from GVSU in Education with an Advanced Content Specialization in Mathematics. He is certified to teach mathematics or computer science at the secondary level. Josh teaches mathematics to Upward Bound students in the Grand Rapids Public Schools during the school year and at GVSU during the summer program. He is involved in the community and enjoys volunteering with his students. Josh has been with the Upward Bound Program since 2004.