Preserving community history: Students gain key experience working on West Michigan heritage projects

Two students extended their classroom learning by engaging with Grand Rapids' past through internships with the Kutsche Office of Local History, housed in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Jada Dobbins is a global studies and social impact major who interned at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA). Victoria Williams, an allied health sciences major, was an intern at the Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GRMiFi).

Dobbins served as the museum’s curatorial and research intern and ran the bookstore. 

“A part of my major's emphasis is in Africana Studies, where I was able to study issues and topics related to the Black diaspora," she said. "This internship was an extension of studies and a way to bridge my coursework into actionable impact and change.”

Dobbins shared that, through her experience, she learned about the value of protecting these spaces that tell “the rich history of those in Grand Rapids and the broader West Michigan area.” 

She said her internship was a vital step in connecting her education to career possibilities, while providing her with the opportunity to explore her interests and build professional experience. Dobbins plans to pursue global and decolonial studies, or museum studies in graduate school. 

“I was excited to be able to apply my research and curatorial skills to a community project that makes history more accessible and engaging for audiences,” she said. 

The Grand Rapids Media Initiative and Film Incubator (GRMiFi) is tightly connected to the Grand Rapids community, providing spaces for residents to explore their creativity to make an impact. 

Williams handled a variety of tasks, including gathering and organizing data, conducting interviews, designing sets and providing production support on film shoots. She said her experience built upon her in-class learning at Grand Valley by “broadening my knowledge and improving my critical thinking skills.” 

On a personal level, Williams said she is proud of the skills she developed through the internship: planning, managing and staging a film set. 

"I'm most proud of the positive impact we have had on the community by providing a platform for them to share their stories,” she said. “Many people have offered their insights into the city’s history, especially on the West Side. 

“By sharing their stories, we aim to foster greater pride and identity among the residents.”

Williams said she was able to immerse herself in local history thanks to the stipend provided by the Kutsche Office, which helped cover her tuition and daily expenses. 

“This financial assistance allowed me to focus more on my studies and on preserving our local community’s history,” she said. 

Kutsche Office Of Local History

Nora Salas, associate professor of history and director of the Kutsche Office of Local History, explained how the department supports students while advancing their mission.

“The goal of the Kutsche Office is to give West Michigan's diverse histories more attention," Salas said. "We serve the larger community, and also the GVSU community. We work with community organizations to develop internships for students and then sponsor those internships so they can be compensated, paid experiences.”

Students who are working on community history or heritage projects can connect with the Kutsche Office to explore possible new relationships and provide other students with opportunities. 

“One of the biggest things I look for in students is somebody who wants to develop more independence in their learning and their work, who's going to work on the project on their own, because internships are not as planned as a class,” she said. 

Salas also emphasized the importance of ensuring compensation for these internships, as it allows more students to take advantage of opportunities that may have otherwise been impossible for them to pursue. 

Community members can support these students and local history efforts by considering donating to the Kutsche Office, she said. 

Peg Padnos is the chair of the Kutsche Office Advisory Council. Padnos said the office's namesake, Paul Kutsche, would be proud of these and other interns.

“Paul Kutsche understood the importance of helping students develop a strong intellectual foundation as well as guiding them into their next steps as young professionals," Padnos said. "I have no doubt that if he were still with us, Paul would be pleased beyond words at the increasing role of student interns in the work of the Kutsche Office.”

— Sofia Ellis is a senior writing major and a student writer for University Communications.