Faculty and staff sketches
In the news
Al Steinman, Allen and Helen Hunting research professor at the Annis Water Resources Institute, was interviewed by MLive for a story about a heat wave causing a toxic algae bloom on Muskegon Lake.
Todd Aschenbach, professor of biology, was interviewed by FOX 17 for a story explaining why rising global temperatures could mean longer wildfire seasons.
Jon Coles, associate professor of sport management, was interviewed by MLive for a story about whether Grand Rapids fans will support a minor league soccer team when the Amway Stadium opens.
Whitt Kilburn, professor of political science, was interviewed by Newsweek for a story about Michigan's U.S. Senate race ahead of the August primary election.
Paul Isely, associate vice president for Academic Affairs and professor of economics, was interviewed by the Detroit News for a story about how the Canadian wildfires affected Michigan's economy.
Sketches
The Alpha Sigma Tau Gamma Xi Chapter at Grand Valley was recognized for demonstrating excellence within the 2024-2026 biennium during the sorority's national convention in Minneapolis. The chapter received five awards: Chapter Progress, Chapter Branding Excellence: Marketing & Communications, Growth Excellence, Retention Improvement and Health and Safety Excellence.
Kim Kenward, director of eLearning Technologies, received an Impact Award at the 2026 Blackboard Together conference in Dallas. Nominated by her Blackboard colleagues, Kenward was recognized for advancing educational technology, fostering innovation and enhancing the experiences of GVSU students, faculty and staff.
John Schmidt, professor of film and video production, was honored at the opening of the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage exhibit at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan in Alpena. The exhibit includes new and re-edited videos created by Schmidt and Chris Welmerink, ’24, from the 2009 documentary "Lake Invaders: The Fight for Lake Huron."
Joel Stillerman, professor of sociology, was a guest on a podcast, "Privilege and the Middle Class," to discuss his book, "Identity Investments: Middle-Class Responses to Precarious Privilege in Neoliberal Chile."
From left are Jamie Jones Miller, Alpha Sigma Tau National President; Katie Perschbacher, GVSU chapter advisor; and students Shannon Preston, Allie Friesner and Sami Nelson.
Tamara Shreiner, associate professor of history, co-facilitated a conversation, "From Numbers to Narrative" with data-documentarian and filmmaker Neil Halloran for the OER Project.
Katherine Moran, Kirkhof College of Nursing associate dean for research, scholarship and lifelong learning, was selected as a member of the American Academy of Nursing 2026 Fellow Cohort. Members were recognized for their substantial contributions to improving health outcomes and transforming health and health care.
Adeline Borti, associate professor of English, gave three presentations at the Literacy Research Association conference in Las Vegas. Borti was also a co-author of a chapter, "Theoretical Transformations in Comprehension: Reflections on the Past and Visions for the Future," in The Handbook of Research on Reading Comprehension and co-author of an article, "A Trioethnography of Using Grounded Theory to Decolonize Research in Psychology and Education," published in Qualitative Research in Psychology.
Erica R. Hamilton, associate vice provost for Academic Programs; Christine Rener, vice provost for Instructional Development and Innovation and director of the FTLC; and Melanie Shell-Weiss, dean of University Libraries and Art Museum, gave a presentation, "Whole Self, Wholehearted Leadership: Cultivating Sustainable Leadership Through Values, Belonging, and Resilience," at the HERS Leadership Institute 50th Anniversary Conference & Reunion.