This July, Grand Valley State University celebrates the second anniversary of the College of Computing as a standalone college.

While the college itself is only two years old, its roots stretch back more than three decades to the School of Computing and Information Systems. Built on a strong foundation of academic excellence, industry collaboration, and student success, it evolved to meet a changing world where computing is no longer confined to a single discipline but drives optimization across nearly every aspect of society.

The decision to establish the college reflected both a growing societal need and a vision for the future. As West Michigan's technology economy continues to expand, so does the demand for computing talent, applied research, and partnerships that connect education with industry. Today, we help meet that need by preparing graduates to solve real-world problems while supporting organizations through research, innovation, and collaboration.

Computing doesn't exist in isolation, and neither do we.

Faculty, students, alumni, industry partners and community stakeholders are exploring how computing can transform healthcare, business, manufacturing, education, the arts, and countless other industries. That collaborative and interdisciplinary perspective shapes our teaching, research, and partnerships across the region.

Over the past two years, we've expanded educational opportunities through new artificial intelligence programs, certificates, and professional credentials. Graduate enrollment continues to grow, regional partnerships are expanding, and planning is underway for future initiatives, including an Applied Computing Ph.D. developed with a partnership with the Van Andel Institute to advance biomedical research, opening doors for other research opportunities. We've also launched innovative offerings such as the Chief AI Officer program, creating new pathways for learners at every stage of their educational and professional journey.

Research and experiential learning continue to thrive. Faculty are advancing applied research that addresses challenges across industries, while students gain hands-on experience through employer partnerships, community collaborations, and initiatives like The Shipyard, where classroom learning meets real-world application.

We're preparing graduates for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and computing. One that demands technical expertise alongside adaptability, ethical decision-making, creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning. As technology continues to evolve, so must the people who build it, lead it, and use it to improve their communities.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also celebrate the people who made it possible. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, industry partners, and community members have each played an important role in shaping who we are today.

The first two years have been filled with growth, innovation, and momentum, but they represent just one chapter in a much longer story. As we look ahead, we remain committed to preparing the next generation of technology leaders while expanding the impact of computing throughout West Michigan and beyond.

Here's to the next chapter.