University leaders grow Detroit-area network

September 19, 2023 (Volume 47, Number 2)
Article by Michele Coffill

President Mantella talks at front of room of tables filled with people

B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, talks with Desiree Sanders, '04, at the Southeast Michigan Ambassadors event.

four people gathered for photo, smiling in front of window

President Philomena V. Mantella gives remarks at the Southeast Michigan Ambassadors event, held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit.

Photo Credit: Mike Bruce

President Philomena V. Mantella and other university leaders joined Detroit alumni and business leaders August 30 to discuss how to grow the network in Southeast Michigan to support students.

The Southeast Michigan Ambassadors event was held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The ambassador program began in 2021 and includes more than 40 people.

B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, told the crowd that more than one-quarter of GVSU students come from that region.

"More than 14,000 Laker alumni make their homes in this area," Truss said. "We’re here because like Detroit, Grand Valley is an economic engine for our state, and there is work to be done together to make that engine stronger."