Grand Valley showcases role in Michigan's tech future during Tech Week 2025

President Philomena V. Mantella, along with GVSU colleges, faculty and staff, will showcase the university’s cutting-edge curriculum and projects as well as share their vision for GVSU’s role in the region’s emerging tech industry, during Tech Week from September 15-20.

The annual event brings together leaders, researchers and innovators from across Michigan to explore and discuss the transformative role of technology in advancing multiple fields and reshaping industries. 

GVSU will host a series of activities throughout the week, including two Tech Talks hosted by Mantella — one on health care technology and another on artificial intelligence and human-centered design.

September 16

• Researchers and experts from GVSU and the Van Andel Institute will headline a presentation, “Tech Talks: Health & Technology,” beginning at 5 p.m. at the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The experts will discuss their innovative research and how they are utilizing tech applications to revolutionize the health care industry. 
• The Student Tech Showcase — an immersive, all-day event — is hosted by The Right Place and opens at 9 a.m. at Grandville Robotics and Engineering Center. The College of Computing, the Padnos College of Engineering and local employers will present interactive exhibits, offering K-12 students an introduction to the variety of tech careers.

September 17

• Take a tour of the Kirkhof College of Nursing’s newly renovated Creative Innovation Lab, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:30 a.m. in the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health. 
• Hear Padnos College of Engineering faculty showcase the college’s cutting-edge partnerships with industries across the region, during their presentation, “Engineering the Blue Dot From Ideation to Implementation.” The college will also unveil its Innovation Sandbox, an integral part of GVSU’s Blue Dot initiative. The presentations begin at noon in the Shape Corp. Innovation Design Center.  
• Head to the Haas Center for Performing Arts Gallery on the Valley Campus from 4-6 p.m. to experience the power of art and technology in “Stories Reimagined: Narrative Art in the Digital Age.” In the age of rapidly developing technology, learn how artists are using these new media in processes and how we can enhance already existing artwork. Enjoy food and drink during the reception, experiment with AI-generated art and see familiar works from the GVSU art collection in a new way.

September 18

• The College of Computing takes center stage for its presentation, “Tech Week: Connecting Research and Industry to Fuel Tech Growth.” College of Computing Dean Marouane Kessentini joins GVSU’s Applied Computing Institute Director Jonathan Engelsma, College of Computing Associate Dean of Research Samir Iqbal and several faculty members in leading the discussion. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. at the L. William Seidman Center. 
• A second Tech Talks presentation, hosted by GVSU and Acrisure, “Tech Talks: AI & Human-Centered Design,” will take place at 5 p.m. at the DeVos Center on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Kessentini and Vice President for Institutional Advancement Laura Aikens are two of the featured speakers, discussing the development of the Blue Dot Ecosystem and its mission to drive digital literacy among GVSU students and position itself as a tech epicenter for Grand Rapids.

September 19-20

• The College of Computing, the Padnos College of Engineering, GVSU Esports and the Regional Math and Science Center will participate at this year’s Confluence Festival . The popular festival presents research and projects that will shape the tech landscape of the future. The festival kicks off Sept. 19 and features an Esports Expo, a Robotics Expo, the Future Innovators Zone and the Innovation Showcase on Sept. 20.