Grand Valley State University has established a presence in the Motor City with the opening of a Detroit office.
The office will serve the university's Charter Schools unit and other academic and administrative departments, such as Admissions, Alumni Relations, and the School of Education.
The office is located in the Penobscot Building, a 47-story office tower in the heart of Detroit's revitalized business, cultural, sports and entertainment district.
With three million people in the Detroit area there is a very large market for Grand Valley, explains Pat Sandro, director of the Charter School Office at GVSU. This is a place that works out for everyone. Many other branches of GVSU will become involved as well.
Paul Hillegonds, a member of GVSU's Board of Control, Michigan's former Speaker of the House, and current president of Detroit Renaissance was a strong advocate of the establishment of the office, particularly to support the university's charter schools outreach.
The university's presence in Detroit will help meet the growing demand for charter academies in the city. Over the long term, the office will serve to build stronger relationships between Detroit area elementary and secondary schools and Grand Valley, and between our east and west Michigan communities, said Hillegonds.
Grand Valley has already chartered two schools in the Detroit area. Metro Charter Academy and Advantage Charter Academy opened for this new school year.
Multiple requests from university students wanting to do their student teaching in Detroit prompted GVSU's School of Education to use part of the space in the new office for student teaching assignments, beginning in the winter semester.
The number of students who are coming from the East Side of the state is growing and many want to get a teaching job where they grew up, explains Ram Chattulani, director of GVSU Teacher Education.
The GVSU Career Services Office will also use the space to meet with students and employers on career-related issues. This is an excellent opportunity to reach out to students and make employer contacts in the Detroit area, says Charleen Hayes-Joseph, director of GVSU Career Services.
