Winter 2025 Timeline:

January 

•  Financial Goal-Setting and Vision Board Workshop: Thursday, January 16, 4PM-5:30PM in  Niemeyer multipurpose room (Meijer Honors College 120 Niemeyer, Allendale, MI) 

February (Black History Month) 

• Galantine's Strawberry Dipping Workshop: Wednesday, February 12th 5PM-7:30PM in Niemeyer multipurpose room (Meijer Honors College 120 Niemeyer, Allendale, MI) 

March: (Women's History Month)   

• Table Talk Self Love & Care Reclaiming Joy: Thursday, March 13th 4PM-5:30PM in Niemeyer multipurpose room (Meijer Honors College 120 Niemeyer, Allendale, MI) 

April:  

• HERstory in the Making: Celebrating Black Women's Voices & Legacy (Virtual):  Wednesday, April 2nd from 6PM-7:30PM 

• End of Semester Celebration: Light & Liberation: Thursday, April 10th 6PM-7:30PM    Niemeyer multipurpose room (Meijer Honors College 120 Niemeyer, Allendale, MI) 

Students:

This program is intended for women of color graduate and undergraduate students. Participation in the program is optional. Students who wish to participate in the NIARA Program are encouraged to do the following:

• Attend monthly table talks
• Attend and connect with mentors at mentorship engagement dates or one to one. 
• Mentors and mentees should commit to at least one hour per month. Options to communicate via text, phone, video, or in-person.

Mentors:

We welcome faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and upperclass Grand Valley Students who are women of color. 

• Mentors and mentees should commit to at least one hour per month. Mentors and mentees should commit to at least one hour per month. Options to communicate via text, phone, video, or in-person.
• Attend and connect with students at mentorship engagement dates or one to one
• Complete monthly survey giving status of the mentorship relationship and student well being

FALL/Winter WELCOME ORIENTATION 

Intended to celebrate and embark on a new school year. Welcoming new and returning mentors and students, an introduction of the program, and connect with other women of color, resource tables including student organizations, sororities on campus departments, and community partners that cater and provide support to this community.  

MENTORSHIP ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES 

We purposefully facilitate mentorship relationships for NIARA students (one to one, group, and peer). We believe that mentorship amplifies equity to increase and ensure that all populations have an opportunity and access to networks, opportunities, and experiences they desire. Last but not least, to ensure that students feel connected, seen, heard, and thrive holistically. 

MONTHLY MEETINGS/PROGRAMS

Monthly engagement opportunities are scheduled to allow students to come together to curate a safe space for an open forum on various guided discussions and to ultimately provide a collective community for them in times of normalcy, solidarity, and celebration. Light food and refreshments provided. 

OUTINGS

Intended to provide accessibility to off campus leisure activities and professional development opportunities for students. 

END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION

The end of the year celebration is held at the end of the fall and spring semesters. It offers students and mentors a way to connect and celebrate. We want to celebrate and recognize your accomplishments. Take pride in how far you've come and have hope in how far you can go! 

• Facilitates mentoring opportunities for GVSU students (1:1, group, or peer mentorship)
• Discussion groups 
• Connects students to research, internship, conference, and other opportunities
• Aide students to navigate a college campus and adulthood 
• Extracurricular activities (film screenings, dance, skating, museum outings, etc.) 
• Opportunities for community service
• Develops meaningful relationships between students, staff/faculty and community members