2026
JANUARY
Digital Literacy Virtual Institute
The institute is designed to support continued faculty learning with the goal of enhancing digital literacy across Grand Valley's curriculum. Building upon the firm foundation of expertise and best practices already in place, we aim to bring together faculty from diverse disciplines and experience levels to learn and explore. Participants engage in hands-on practice and gain insights into how digital literacy platforms and approaches can be effectively integrated into their courses and professional practices.
JANUARY
Hour of AI Week
At its core, the Hour of AI at GVSU aimed to provide a clear, accessible entry point into AI literacy for people of all backgrounds. Using proven tools and ready-to-use materials, trainings, readings, and discussions, we encouraged exploration of how AI systems are shaped by data, prompts, and human choices, while also examining AI’s social and ethical implications.
2025
JANUARY
Digital Literacy Task Force
In 2025, the University launched the Digital Literacy Task Force, an ongoing effort to catalyze Digital Literacy across the curriculum for all students through a liberal arts education lens.
MARCH
AI Strategy Steering Committee
In collaboration between Academic Affairs and Information Technology, a Steering committee was formed to help define Grand Valley's A.I. strategy. The work is underway.
MARCH
New Degree Programs in Computing
In 2025, the College of Computing launches an ambitious catalog of new programs in Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, and Human-Centered Computing. The three new degrees will help support the regional goal of transforming the Grand Rapids area in the next Tech Hub.
JUNE
Digital Literacy Summer Institute
The institute is designed to support continued faculty learning with the goal of enhancing digital literacy across Grand Valley's curriculum. Building upon the firm foundation of expertise and best practices already in place, we aim to bring together faculty from diverse disciplines and experience levels to learn and explore. Participants engage in hands-on practice and gain insights into how digital literacy platforms and approaches can be effectively integrated into their courses and professional practices.
AUGUST
Essential Tech Skills Training Modules Launched
In 2025, the Digital Literacy Initiative, in collaboration with eLearning Technologies launched two self-guided learning modules for students: Essential Tech Skills and Cybersecurity. These modules are designed to equip students with essential tech skills and cybersecurity basics to help them navigate academic life successfully at Grand Valley State University.
AUGUST
Digital Literacy Fridays Launched
In 2025, the Digital Literacy Initiative launched a pilot project aimed at building a culture of tech equity at Grand Valley — the Digital Literacy Friday series. Nearly every Friday throughout the academic year, we are hosting sessions related to digital literacy. Sponsored by the Digital Literacy Initiative, Pew FTLC, and eLearning Technologies, we are featuring faculty and staff experts who will share approaches, provide hands-on learning, and facilitate lively, cross-disciplinary conversations.
2024
MARCH
Digital Literacy Definition Approved
In 2024, the University has approved a Definition of Digital Literacy that centers the importance of a liberal arts education in navigating a world mediated by technology. The definition states: “Digital literacy is the ability to use, create, evaluate, and engage critically with digital technologies to complete tasks safely and ethically in professional and civic contexts.”
MAY
A New College of Computing is Formed
In 2024, the University established a College of Computing to expand opportunities for students, graduates, and employers, setting a tech-forward course for the region.
MAY
Blue Dot Lab Downtown Design
In 2024, the University initiated discussions on renovating the Eberhard Center in the city campus to house the College of Computing and the Blue Dot Lab. Now set along the Grand River in downtown Grand Rapids, the Blue Dot Lab will be a signature space for education, innovation, and community connection. The vision for the lab is bold and future-focused. It will create new opportunities for students, faculty, employers, and the community to connect around technology and ideas.
The Blue Dot Lab is slated to open in the Fall 2028 semester.
2023
JANUARY
Blue Dot Ecosystem
In 2023, the University announced the Blue Dot Ecosystem, a strategic effort to drive economic development and enhance student learning through three key pillars. Each pillar translates into actionable initiatives in enriching learning, workforce development, and industry research partnerships, which include co-designed programs, skill-building opportunities, research-driven solutions, and talent development pathways.
JANUARY
Blue Dot Subcommittee #3
As part of establishing the Blue Dot Ecosystem, a subcommittee of faculty and staff was formed to "catalyze our curriculum and digital literacy across the university". The outcomes of this group's work have shaped today's Grand Valley's Digital Literacy strategy.
FEBRUARY
Digital Creator Lab
In 2023, the Digital Creator Lab (DCL) opened at the Mary Idema Pew Library to build students' digital literacy. The Lab is a collaboration between University Librairies and Information Technology, and contains hardware and software that students can use for academic and personal media projects.
APRIL
Project Grand Path
In 2023, the University launched the Project Grand Path, the region’s first and only student-led maker community, creating learning opportunities between the physical and virtual world.
AUGUST
Language Resource Center
In 2023, the Language Resource Center (aka the "Language Lab") enhanced its language learning experiences to include gaming consoles, virtual reality headsets, and podcasting equipment to better support language acquisition and other humanities projects.
2022
AUGUST
Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center
The Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center for Engineering is part of Grand Valley State University's Padnos College of Engineering. The 63,000 square foot facility and its 2.7-acre campus not only serves as a vital resource for students, but as a catalyst for innovative partnerships between the college, companies, and community. This facility provides expanded flexible project space for our students, dedicated space to bring multiple schools together for K-12 STEM projects, and benefits our industry partners with better equipped student projects and usable spaces.
2021
AUGUST
Interprofessional Simulation Center
The Grand Valley State University Interprofessional Simulation Center provides a dynamic, hands-on learning environment that supports students from a wide range of health-related disciplines. Specialized lab areas include a model living suite, gait analysis lab, biomechanics lab, and a comprehensive audiology suite. The center recently received first-time accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH), the largest healthcare simulation accrediting body in the world.
AUGUST
School of Communications Biometrics Lab
The Biometrics and Innovation Lab (BIL) is an interdisciplinary research center housed in the School of Communications at Grand Valley State University. Our mission is to inspire, innovate, and spark data-driven communication research and teaching to uncover human behaviors using biometrics and digital analytics tools and techniques.
2020
SUMMER
Blue Dot Lab Allendale Design
In 2020, the University initiated discussions on a new facility to provide Digital Literacy support to all of its students — the Blue Dot Lab. The original lab would serve as a space for digital literacy support in the Valley Campus.
2017
FALL
Digital Studies Minor Launch
The Digital Studies minor welcomes its first students in the fall 2017 semester. An innovative program, the minor offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on tools and culture, employing a critical and hands-on approach to technology. It includes coursework from multiple disciplines (arts, media, computing, etc) to reflect the ubiquity of technology across fields and the importance of cross-disciplinary perspectives for digital literacy. STEM and Non-STEM majors benefit from the coursework in the minor and apply it to their majors.