Laker Accelerated Talent Link reduces employer partnership costs to help expand opportunities

A Grand Valley program that pairs students with employers for an enhanced internship experience has reduced the cost for employers to participate, opening opportunities for a wider range of companies to partner with GVSU to reach the shared goal of strengthening the regional talent pipeline.

Supporters and students of the Laker Accelerated Talent Link program met on May 1 at the Consumers Energy John G. Russell Leadership Center for their student showcase of projects, highlighting how the program created success for students and opened the door to employment opportunities. 

The Talent Link program is an enhanced internship that pairs students with some of West Michigan's leading employers. The program creates a strong connection between the student and the employer that provides scholarship support, a good faith job offer upon completion of the program, and opportunities to earn a certificate in an area related to business or technology on top of a degree.

The showcase event included highlights from employer partners: Corewell Health, Consumers Credit Union, Cascade Engineering, Acrisure and GVSU, along with local nonprofit organizations included the Economic Club of Grand Rapids, United Way of West Michigan, Hispanic Center of West Michigan, Urban League, Small Business Association and The Right Place.

President Phillomena V. Mantella visited the event, conversing with student Logan Bales about his procurement internship at Acrisure. Bales was provided with the opportunity to save his company thousands of dollars on a project, cutting costs in areas like over-ordered office supplies. 

“It was an amazing chance to gain hands-on experience in supply chain and procurement, which could translate to almost any industry I decide to work in,” said Bales. “I had the opportunity to sit in on meetings with CPOs of companies and learn how those business interactions work, and the connections you need.” 

Bales graduated this past April with a bachelor’s in business administration with a focus on logistics, materials and supply chain management. Bales, along with about three-quarters of the 18 students in this year's cohort, are continuing professionally with their Talent Link placements, officials said.

A member of the Talent Link's first cohort, Samantha Frondoso, spoke at the event, telling the gathering, "I would not be where I am today without this program." A 2024 graduate, she turned her internship at Corwell Health into a full-time position in organizational development.

“These leaders took a chance on our futures, for which I am extremely grateful, and I am so happy to see it continue to benefit all of you,” said Frondoso. 

Another student who benefited from the nonprofit organization opportunity this year was Matthew Streeter, who interned with The Right Place as part of its business intelligence and research team. Streeter contributed to the development of the organization's "State of the Region" presented at its annual Economic Outlook event.

“Thanks to the Talent Link program, I was able to continue my internship and gain hands-on experience,” Streeter said. “A highlight was co-authoring the 'State of the Region' report. This opportunity sharpened my data analytics skills and taught me how to tell compelling stories with data – skills I’ll carry forward in my career.”

John Wiegand, business intelligence and research manager at The Right Place, emphasized the value of the program for the region.

“It’s because of the Talent Link program that our organization was able to continue working with Matthew, one of the most capable and impressive interns our team has ever had," Wiegand said. "The program has been an immense resource for us.”

– Thomas Garrett graduated from Grand Valley in 2024 with a bachelor's degree in writing.