Who We Are
What is CSCE?
The Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence (CSCE) promotes a culture of active, engaged, and ethical scholarship through supporting innovative faculty and student research and collaborative partnerships across disciplines and in the broader community. CSCE encourages innovation and enterprise, facilitates collaborations, and serves as an advocate for university scholarship and creative practice. CSCE houses six units and is overseen by Dr. Ryan Otter, Vice Provost for Research & Innovation (Interim) and Executive Director, Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence.
Ryan R. Otter, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Research & Innovation (Interim)
Executive Director, Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence
Ryan’s primary responsibility as the Executive Director for the CSCE is overseeing a portfolio of independent, yet connected, University enterprises that include external and internal funding, compliance & integrity, undergraduate research & fellowships, technology commercialization, international experiences, and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy. Ryan has B.S. and M.S degrees in Zoology from Michigan State University, a Ph.D. in Environmental Toxicology from Clemson University. Prior to joining GVSU in 2023 he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Miami University (Ohio) a faculty member & administrator at Middle Tennessee State University. In addition to his current role, Ryan is also a Professor at GVSU’s Annis Water Resources Institute (see the Otter Lab) where his research focuses on understanding the fate and effects of water pollution (e.g., mercury, PCBs).
Shelley Sickrey, M.A.
Administrative Assistant
Shelley has been in this position with CSCE since December of 2022, but she has been a member of the division since 2010 when she worked in the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS). She currently works with Dr. Otter in administering internal faculty grants, maintaining budgets, and assisting the Faculty Research and Development Committee, among other roles. Shelley studied at Grand Valley State University as an undergraduate, earning her B.A. with majors in Legal Studies and English, and a minor in Political Science. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in English Literature from GVSU. Shelley enjoys being in an academic setting almost as much as she enjoys her time in Gotham, Westeros, Hogwarts, and sports stadiums.
CSCE Units
Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
(CUSE)
CUSE houses the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS) and the Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships. CUSE provides students with the opportunity and support to conduct research, apply for competitive inter/national fellowship/scholarships to fund study abroad, post-graduate opportunities, and more.
Office of Research Compliance and Integrity
(ORCI)
ORCI oversees general research practices, such as Responsible Conduct of Research and Conflict of Interest in Research, as well as more specialized areas, such as Human Subjects Research and Animal Care and Use.
Office of Sponsored Programs
(OSP)
OSP serves as the University's central office that supports faculty and staff in the identification, development, submission, and administration of externally sponsored agreements for scholarly research and creative activity.
Technology Commercialization Office
(TCO)
TCO is the university resource for creating productive relationships in the quest for discovery, learning, and engagement between the university and business community.
Padnos International Center
(PIC)
PIC's mission is to engage the University community in meaningful international experiences which foster an appreciation and awareness of diverse cultures, people, and ideas.
Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
(JCP)