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Mission

At Grand Valley State University, we empower learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose. The university enriches society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, advancement of equity, and public service.

A graduate in a blue cap and gown
The doors to the Kirkhof Center on a sunny day

Vision

Grand Valley State University will prepare globally minded citizens for the future they face and the communities they shape. Our community of educators create and employ innovative approaches to liberal education and professional programs that center on and prepare students for a lifetime of continual learning and growth.

Values

Inquiry

Encourages active questioning and problem solving to improve lives and strengthen communities. Building on our strong foundation of a liberal education and commitment to teaching excellence, we strive to provide opportunities that integrate theory and practice toward personal transformation and career success. Active scholarship, creative expression, and relevant co-curricular experiences drive learners toward fulfillment, prosperity, and justice.

Integrity

Drives us to be accountable to ourselves and to others. Integrity moves us to actively pursue and sustain quality educational experiences rooted in research and evidence, and to be excellent stewards of our communities, resources, and planet.

Inclusive & Equitable Community

Fosters and sustains a sense of belonging, promotes diversity and respect, and addresses systemic issues that impact outcomes for those who have been historically excluded from higher education. Inclusion and equity are experienced through our physical campuses and in digital environments, as well as our interpersonal, institutional, and community engagements.

International Perspectives

Supports people, planet, and prosperity. We think and act on a global basis. Our efforts at supporting the well-being of individuals, groups, and ecosystems are important locally, nationally, and globally — all of which are interconnected and interdependent.

Innovation

Puts ideas into practice, drives us toward excellence, and represents our forward-thinking mindset. We value entrepreneurship, risk taking, and interdisciplinary collaboration that solves local, regional, and global problems and advances the common good.

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Page last modified October 17, 2025