The latest numbers from Grand Valley State University show that its
graduates are bucking reports that college educated young people are
leaving Michigan in record numbers.
The university released its annual Economic Impact Report and its
employment report for fiscal year 2007-2008, the latest year for which
figures are available. The reports illustrate the tremendous impact the
university has on the state of Michigan and the West Michigan economy.
Based on the number of respondents to the Career Services office survey
and the total number of graduates, the university estimates that for the
class of 2008, more than 2,700 are working in Michigan.
President of Grand Valley State University Thomas J. Haas said, “At this
critical moment in Michigan’s economy, Grand Valley is pleased to be
able to show this rate of return to the state’s taxpayers. We are
educating students who in turn are giving real value to employers and
communities around this state.”
Other results show that 96% of Grand Valley graduates are employed or in
graduate school. Grand Valley alumni now number nearly 70,000, with
nearly half living or working in the West Michigan’s tri-county area of
Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon counties. Their fields of expertise dovetail
with the area’s business needs.
Top employers of Grand Valley graduates are hospitals, school districts,
and many well-known West Michigan companies such as Meijer, Amway,
Herman Miller, and Steelcase. The number one employer of Grand Valley
graduates for 2008 is Spectrum Health.
The economic impact of the university’s faculty, staff, and students is
$592.1 million in total sales in the region; the total estimated
employment attributed to Grand Valley is 9,677.
DOWNLOADS:
Grand Valley State graduates are Brain Gain for Michigan
May 5, 2009
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