Faculty and staff sketches

September 3, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 1)

graduate in cap and gown walking across stage, waving to audience, two students in gowns behind first person

The Upjohn Institute found that for every $100,000 spent in state appropriations, GVSU retains nearly five graduates, far outpacing the next Michigan public university and tops in the nation.

Photo Credit: Valerie Hendrickson

Faculty and staff members who have given presentations, were recognized for outstanding contributions or had their research published are detailed below. The campus community can submit a sketch online for future publication. 

In the News
GVSU was profiled in a Washington Monthly story that detailed Upjohn Institute data about the strength of regional universities. The organization found that for every $100,000 spent in state appropriations, GVSU retains nearly five graduates, far outpacing the next Michigan public university and topping others in the nation.

Kara Van Dam, vice president and chief executive for Omni, was interviewed by Second Wave Southwest Michigan for a story about Grand Valley's agreement with Starr Commonwealth and four community colleges.

Jennifer Pope, associate professor of marketing, was interviewed by WalletHub for a story about insuring inexpensive cars.

Todd Buckingham, visiting professor of exercise science, was interviewed by Experience Life for a story about building recovery days into exercise programs.

Sketches
Annis Water Resources Institute staff Sarah Hamsher, Davis Fray and Bopi Biddanda were among co-authors of an article, "Metabarcoding Reveals Unique Microbial Mat Communities and Evidence of Biogeographic Influence in Low-oxygen, High-sulfur Sinkholes and Springs" published in Ecology and Evolution.

Denise Goerisch, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies, and students Ty Krueger and Madison Edwards were co-authors of an article, "Considering Ethics of Care in Online Learning Spaces," published in Digital Geography and Society.

Len O'Kelly, associate professor of communications, gave a presentation, "'The Radio Station' 11th Edition is Coming. What Should be Included?" at the Broadcast Education Association conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Division of Inclusion and Equity staff members Marlene Kowalski-Braun and Kathleen VanderVeen were selected for the Shared Equity Leadership project hosted by the University of Southern California's Pullias Center for Higher Education. The project's goals, over two years, are to support campuses as they implement shared equity leadership and learn about the implementation process that we can share with other higher education stakeholders. 

Tim Penning, professor of communications, wrote an article, "PR Capacity on Corporate Boards: Claiming the CSR and ESG Responsibility?" published in the Journal of Communication Management and was a co-author of an article, "Perceptions of Formal Career Achievements in Public Relations by Students, Professionals and Employers: The Certificate, Accreditation and College of Fellows," published in Public Relations Review. 

Amber Dierking, arts and humanities liaison librarian, gave a presentation, "Artificial Intelligence in Information Literacy? The Green Critique," at the LOEX Conference in Naperville, Illinois.

Anthony Spencer, associate professor and graduate program director of communications, and students Y Nguyen, Maxwell Ritchie, Taylor Deschaine-Hurd and Bryce Thomas were panelists for a session, "Building Inclusivity Through Undergraduate Scholarship," at the Central States Communication Association Conference in Grand Rapids.

Categories

Faculty & Staff Sketches

This article was last edited on August 30, 2024 at 9:46 a.m.

Related Articles

Faculty and staff sketches

The Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency recognized the university's many veteran-centric programs during an awards event. Information Technology honored three staff members during its service award ceremony.

October 1, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 3)

Faculty and staff sketches

Grand Valley is listed by Forbes among Michigan's best employers; Lisa Knapp received an association's Career Services Professional of the Year Award.

September 17, 2024 (Volume 48, Number 2)

Faculty and staff sketches

Highlights include Danny Vélez being named a policy fellow by Excelencia in Education and Alexis Brown earning a medal at the national Aramark competition.

August 20, 2024 (Volume 47, Number 21)