Qualitative researchers sent the Provost Cabinet a 61-page report that contained snippets of statements from the Academic Affairs community, students, and community members. Those personally identifying snippets are removed below, but the key themes that were used in the foundational work of the AA Strategic Framework are listed below.  You will see many links between these themes and the AASF.  

Actions

Aspirations

Challenges

Opportunities

Priorities

Strengths

Student Voice from the RHT Data

1. Re-center Shared Governance to Make Informed and Collaborative Decisions 
2. ​Break Silos & Build Collaboration Mechanisms 
3. ​Modernize Curriculum & Credentials - Without Mission Drift 
4. ​Invest Strategically in IT, Facilities & Digital Equity 
5. Expand Holistic Student Support & Equity Measures 
6. ​Make Career Preparation a Signature Differentiator 
7. ​Reinvest in People: Hiring, Pay Equity & Burnout Safeguards 
8. ​Elevate Faculty Research & Resources for Graduate Education 
9. ​Strengthen Marketing, Identity & the Strategic Plan 

1. ​Public-Good Leadership & Community Impact 
2. Equity, Inclusion & Educational Access 
3. National Reputation & Brand Identity 
4. Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Liberal-Arts Recommitment 
5. ​Innovative Program Growth & Curriculum Renewal 
6. ​Experiential Learning, Research & Workforce Pathways 
7. ​Flexible Learning & Lifelong Education 
8. ​Technology, Data & Ethical AI Leadership 
9. ​Sustainability, Climate & Great Lakes Stewardship 
10. Faculty & Staff Thriving, Compensation & Workload Equity 
11. Student-Centered Excellence & Small-Class Culture 
12. Graduate Education & Research Capacity 
13. Infrastructure & Facilities for Next-Generation Learning 

1. Student Preparedness & Retention Gaps 
2. Workload, Stress & Mental-Health Pressures 
3. ​Rising Cost of Education & Financial Insecurity 
4. Chronic Resource Constraints 
5. Faculty & Staff Burnout 
6. Technological Disruption & Ethical AI Integration 
7. Political & Regulatory Volatility, Public Distrust 
8. Systemic Inefficiencies, Communication Gaps & Change Fatigue 
9. ​Erosion of the Perceived Value of Liberal Arts & the Degree 
10. Enrollment Cliff, Demographic Shifts & Competition 
11. Career Alignment & Experiential Learning Costs 
12. ​Equity, DEI Backlash & Support for Diverse Learners 

1. Flexible, Innovative Learning Models 
2. Deeper Community & Industry Partnerships 
3. Experiential Learning & High-Impact Practices 
4. ​Harnessing Technology & AI Ethically 
5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration & Liberal-Arts Reframing 
6. ​New Learner Markets: Adult, Transfer & Certificate Pathways 
7. ​Environmental, STEM & Sustainability Leadership 
8. ​Alumni Engagement & Lifelong Learning 

1. ​Clarify and Re-affirm GVSU’s Liberal-Education Identity 
2. ​Financial Sustainability, Transparency, and Strategic Investment 
3. ​Student Success, Belonging, and Holistic Support 
4. ​Faculty and Staff Thriving 
5. ​Sustainable and Equitable Workload 
6. ​Innovation, AI, and Data-Driven Transformation 
7. ​Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration & Community Engagement 
8. ​Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility 
9. ​STEM, Sustainability, and Climate Leadership 
10. ​Facilities, Safety, and Learning Environments 
11. ​Recruitment, Marketing, and Enrollment Strategy 
12. ​Graduate Education and Research Support 

1. ​Teaching Innovation & Experiential Learning 
2. ​Commitment to Values: Liberal Arts, Interdisciplinarity, DEI, & Global Perspectives 
3. ​People-Centered Culture: Dedicated Faculty & Staff 
4. Robust Student Success Infrastructure and Collaborative Culture of Support 
5. ​Community, Industry, & Alumni Partnerships 
6. ​Facilities, Location & Physical Resources 
7. ​Affordability & Access 
8. ​Technology Integration & Digital Literacy 

1. ​Increased Flexibility: Options for hybrid and online courses to accommodate diverse schedules and responsibilities. 
2. ​Experiential Learning: To enhance career readiness, there should be more hands-on opportunities, such as internships and real-world applications. 
3. ​Personalized Support: Access to dedicated advisors and mentors who understand their unique needs and provide tailored guidance. 
4. ​Diversity and Inclusion: A commitment to fostering an inclusive environment that respects and values diverse backgrounds and perspectives. 
5. ​Mental Health Resources: Expanded mental health and well-being support systems to ensure overall student success. 
6. ​Clear Communication: Improved transparency regarding available resources, programs, and career opportunities.​