The GV NextEd Co-Lab advances Grand Valley State University’s commitment to educational innovation by co-designing, piloting, and scaling new approaches that expand pathways to and through education for all learners and communities.

Working in partnership with schools, communities, and university partners, the Co-Lab develops and incubates solutions that strengthen teaching, learning, and learner success across K-12 and higher education systems.

We envision an educational ecosystem where innovative, equitable, and community-driven solutions continuously improve opportunities and outcomes for all learners, and where successful innovations are sustained and scaled through partnerships across the university and public education systems.

Co-Lab values are a blend of University and DEISS core principles and innovation practices:

Inquiry and Evidence
We investigate complex educational challenges through research, data, and community insight, using evidence to guide innovation and improvement.

Inclusive and Equitable Design
We center learner, educator, and community voices in co-design processes to ensure solutions advance equitable access and outcomes.

Innovation with Purpose
We incubate bold ideas, test new approaches, and responsibly scale innovations that demonstrate measurable impact and sustainability.

Integrity and Accountability
We act transparently and responsibly, ensuring our work delivers meaningful value to learners, schools, and partners.

Partnership and Co-Creation
We bring together educators, communities, policymakers, and university partners to collaboratively design solutions that none could achieve alone.

Community and Future-Focused Perspective
We design solutions that strengthen education systems and prepare learners and communities for future opportunities.