The Student Affairs Graduate Association (SAGA) is a registered student organization exclusive to GVSU graduate students pursuing a Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration.

SAGA strives to empower graduate students to contribute to the enrichment of their education and program through active scholarship, community building, and professional networking, and to uphold the mission and values of GVSU and the College of Education and Community Innovation in all its functions and programming.

Some of the opportunities open to members of SAGA include social events, professional development opportunities, HESAA orientation events, and community outreach opportunities in the greater Grand Rapids and GVSU communities.

In addition to these internal opportunities, SAGA—through the Graduate Student Association (GSA)—provides its members with financial assistance when attending conferences having to do with higher education to students in the HESAA program. Guidelines for funding are determined by SAGA and the Graduate Student Association.

Dallas Mathews

Dallas is a combined-degree seeking student at GVSU, set to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Integrative Studies in May 2026 with a focus on Communication, Leadership, and Community Involvement in Higher Education. She spent her undergraduate years working on the newspaper delivery team for the Lanthorn, serving as a Public Speaking Consultant and Assistant Student Director at the Speech Lab, and representing the university as a New Student Orientation Leader through Admissions. Beginning in August of 2026, she will continue this work as an Academic Advising Graduate Assistant in the College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI), further strengthening her dedication to higher education and student success.

As a first-generation college student, Dallas draws inspiration from the faculty and staff who believed in her potential and helped her find her place at GVSU. She aims to bring authentic, charismatic energy to every space she enters. When she is not on campus working or learning, she enjoys traveling, cooking and baking, and exploring all that West Michigan has to offer.

Top 5 Strengths: Positivity, Consistency, Relator, Learner, and Harmony

Lester Anderson

Lester serves as a Program Advisor for TRIO SSS and McNair Scholars. He earned his B.S. in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport Management and a minor in Nonprofit Administration from GVSU. After serving as a Youth Advocate for Grand Rapids Public Schools and a Program Advisor for TRIO Talent Search, he is excited to continue his educational journey in pursuit of his M.A. and to serve on the SAGA e-board as part of this great community.

Outside of his professional work, Lester is a proud Detroit native and a dedicated supporter of the city's sports teams. He enjoys life as a husband and father of two. An avid collector of sneakers, vinyl records, and plants, he is always up for a conversation regarding any of his many hobbies.

Sofi Grover

Sofi obtained her degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University in 2025. In her time at Michigan State, Sofi was a Resident Assistant for two years and gained a passion for Student Affairs and decided to pursue that passion and education here at Grand Valley. They currently serve as the Graduate Assistant for Student Organizations in the Office of Student Life. This assistantship allowed them to expand their professional knowledge in Student Affairs. She loves to bring positivity and a welcoming environment wherever she goes!

In their free time, Sofi loves to spend time with their family and dogs! You'll also find Sofi enjoying a number of different crafts, like sewing and crocheting. You may sometimes hear them practicing cello or listening to an audiobook too!

CliftonStrengthsTop 5: Developer, Empathy, Includer, Positivity, and Input

Graham Kort

Graham is a longtime Grand Rapids native who has recently joined the GVSU ecosystem after obtaining his B.A. in Psychology and Music at Calvin University in 2025. During his time at Calvin, he spent 2 years as an RA, worked for the Housing, Residence Life, and Campus Ministries departments, wrote for (and occasionally edited) the campus newspaper Chimes, and enjoyed immersing himself in as much campus culture as he could fit into his joyfully jam-packed calendar. He now serves as the Recruitment Graduate Assistant with the Admissions department, where he enjoys working with students at all phases of their college and grad school search processes. He is passionate about community-building and creating inclusive spaces, and is eager to continue to facilitate this work as a member of SAGA!

When he is not working or studying, Graham enjoys spending time with his family (4 younger sisters & 2 dogs) and girlfriend, playing tabletop strategy games, reading anything he can get his hands on, watching travel competition shows, running more miles than a sane person should, fine-tuning his coffee recipe, and writing loud rock songs on his guitar.

CliftonStrengths Top 5: Woo, Adaptability, Strategic, Positivity, and Communication  |  MBTI: ENFJ-A

Paul E. Bylsma

Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership and Counseling

[email protected]  

B.A. Calvin College; M.Ed. Grand Valley State University; Ph.D. Michigan State University.

Dr. Paul Bylsma joined the faculty in August 2023. Prior to coming to GVSU Paul held roles in enrollment management, alumni relations, and supervising pre-service social studies student teachers. Paul holds a Doctorate in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University. Paul's research utilizes sociomaterial theories to explore teaching, learning, knowledge, assessment, and practice in a higher education context as a complex encounter between people, space, and time. 

Outside of academia, Paul's interests include reading, running, brewing, working and playing in the yard and on the car, and sustaining a household with his partner and two children.