Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has named Dr. Vijay Bhuse, an associate professor in the College of Computing, as a Presidential Fellow in the Enrollment Management Division. In this university-wide leadership appointment, Bhuse will work closely with Dr. B. Donta Truss, Vice President for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, to expand Grand Valley’s global reach and attract high-achieving international students.

The Presidential Fellows program invites both faculty and staff to take part in cross-functional, high-impact projects that develop the next generation of university leaders. Fellows collaborate with senior executives, gaining hands-on experience in institutional leadership, strategic planning, and advancing student success.

The initiative reflects GVSU’s ongoing commitment to professional growth, collaboration, and innovation. Participants contribute directly to the Reach Higher 2025 strategy, advancing equity, inclusion, and academic excellence across the university.

For Bhuse, this fellowship is deeply personal. As a former international student from India, he understands the opportunities and challenges of studying abroad from adapting to new customs to navigating a different academic culture.

“I remember the uncertainty, the learning curve, and ultimately, the pride of finding community in a new country,” Bhuse said. “That experience shapes how I want to help others see GVSU as a place where they can succeed.”

Working with VP Truss and the Enrollment Management Division, Bhuse will lead strategies to recruit students from high-growth regions. His plans include building partnerships with prestigious institutions, participating in EducationUSA fairs, working on GVSU’s Strategic Enrollment Management Plan (SEMP) and participating in cohort-based leadership training. 

Bhuse has already demonstrated his commitment to strengthening GVSU’s international partnerships by helping develop an institutional agreement with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (DBATU) in India. This agreement focuses on creating a pathway for graduate students to pursue their second-year of their master’s program at GVSU after completing their first year at DBATU.

Bhuse’s selection marks a significant achievement for the College of Computing, highlighting the college’s growing influence in shaping GVSU’s global initiatives.

“Having one of our faculty members selected as a Presidential Fellow directly advances the College of Computing’s strategic priority of fostering faculty and staff success,” said Dr. Marouane Kessentini, Dean of the College of Computing. “Vijay’s work will strengthen our international presence, open new pathways for student recruitment, and reinforce our role as a college and university that connects computing education to global opportunity.”

Bhuse believes that increasing GVSU’s international presence will benefit both the university and the region. A diverse student body, he said, not only enhances campus culture but also supports Michigan’s growing technology workforce and the nation’s competitiveness in innovation.

“Every international student who chooses GVSU brings a new perspective, a new idea, a new way of thinking,” Bhuse said.

As part of the fellowship, Bhuse will also engage in cohort-based leadership development activities, contributing to projects such as the Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and other university-wide initiatives. Through this experience, he will gain exposure to executive-level decision-making while helping shape policies and strategies that support Grand Valley’s mission.

Bhuse’s appointment as a Presidential Fellow not only reflects his dedication to student success but also showcases how the College of Computing continues to lead in innovation, collaboration, and global engagement.