Education, Nonprofit & Public Service Career Community
Miranda Grunwell 2006
Employer
Disability Network Southwest Michigan / Community Education
Program Manager
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
Since graduating from Grand Valley State University in December
2006, I’ve dedicated my career to disability rights, education, and
advocacy. My journey began as an AmeriCorps VISTA Program Assistant at
Disability Network Southwest Michigan (DNSWM) from 2007 to 2008. I
then joined DNSWM as a full-time employee and have had the privilege
of growing within the organization for over 17 years. I currently
serve as the Community Education Manager, leading a team that delivers
approximately 150 presentations each year on more than 50
disability-related topics, including Ableism, Accessibility,
Disability Pride, Intersectionality, and Understanding Hidden
Disabilities. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to
present and train across the United States and, in 2021, delivered an
international presentation on Disability Language to a disability
organization in South Korea via Zoom. Beyond my work at DNSWM, I’ve
been involved in numerous leadership and volunteer roles. I served as
President of the Kalamazoo Association of Volunteer Administrators
(2016–2017), was an appointed member of the Michigan Disability
Concerns Commission (2005–2011), and was appointed to the Statewide
Independent Living Council (2010–2016). I’ve also had the honor of
mentoring young disability advocates through programs like the
Michigan Youth Leadership Forum and the National Council on
Disability's Youth Advisory Committee. In my local community, I
continue to serve as an Election Inspector for the City of Portage.
Looking back, my time at GVSU provided a solid foundation for a career
centered on community impact, leadership, and advancing disability justice.
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
One of my favorite parts of my time at Grand Valley was all the
amazing people I met while living on campus. Some of my best memories
come from the fun we had outside of class—whether we were playing
board games in the lobby, exploring campus events to learn something
new (but mostly to get the free food), or going to Campus Life Night
to collect all the cool free stuff from different student
organizations. There was always something happening, but one memory
that still makes me smile is when someone in our dorm would dress up
in a gorilla costume and sit in the lobby eating a banana whenever a
campus tour came through our building. It was such a funny, random
moment that perfectly captures the kind of joy and humor that made
campus life so memorable. The people I met and the experiences we
shared shaped my time at Grand Valley in the best possible way.
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received came from a
mentor who told me, “You are your own best expert. Don’t let anyone
else tell you what you can or can’t do.” That advice has stuck with me
and continues to guide me today. As someone with a learning
disability, I’ve often encountered well-meaning people who have tried
to set limits on what they thought I could or should do. I’ve learned
to take their advice and perspectives for what they are—just input—not
absolute truth. In the end, I trust myself to make the best decisions
for my life. This mindset has helped me navigate challenges, push past
barriers, and build a life and career that I’m proud of.
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Community: I built lasting friendships and found a supportive
network of people who made campus feel like home. Growth: Grand Valley
challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow both personally
and academically. Adventure: From spontaneous campus events to
late-night lobby games, every day brought a new adventure and
unforgettable memories.
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I want to leave the world better for the next generation of
people with disabilities. My hope is to help shift the way society
sees disability—not as something bad, sad, or something that needs to
be overcome, but simply as a characteristic some people have.
Disability is part of human diversity, and it’s something to be
respected, valued, and celebrated.
July 2025
Interest Area(s)
Psychology
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