Grand Valley State University and The University of Michigan today established an Early Assurance Program in which U-M students completing their undergraduate studies at the School of Kinesiology can be admitted to Grand Valley's master's degree program in occupational therapy.
The program will become effective in the fall 2010 semester; applicants meeting requirements will be assured admittance to Grand Valley's OT program. The program will accommodate up to three qualified U-M students annually; at the end of the second year of the two-year agreement, there will be six U-M students enrolled, or 12 percent of the total number of students enrolled.
“This agreement will help some of our strongest kinesiology students pursue graduate work in Grand Valley's highly regarded occupational therapy program,” said Teresa Sullivan, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at U-M. “It is also an example of how two public universities can collaborate to maximize the state's investment in higher education.”
Sullivan was accompanied by Gregory Cartee, professor and interim dean of the School of Kinesiology; and Patricia Van Volkinburg, academic program coordinator. They signed the agreement on behalf of U-M. The agreement was signed at Grand Valley's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences.
Grand Valley was represented by Gayle R. Davis, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for Health; Roy Olsson, dean of the College of Health Professions; and Cynthia Grapczynski, director of the Occupational Therapy program. They signed the agreement on behalf of Grand Valley.
GVSU President Thomas J. Haas, who welcomed the participants at today’s announcement, emphasized the importance of cooperation among the state’s universities. “Collaboration serves the public interest and strengthens our communities,” said Haas, who chairs the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan.
Nagelkerk said: “This new partnership between Grand Valley and The University of Michigan will continue to enhance the education of highly qualified health care professionals, and provide another important opportunity to share and leverage resources. We look forward to welcoming U-M students to Grand Rapids.”
