Our Method
About Us
Welcome to the Office of Student Support and Belonging (OSSB) at Grand Valley State University, located on the second floor of Kleiner Commons, just above the Dish Dining Center. Our space is designed to foster academic success, personal growth, and a strong sense of community. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to study, personalized support, or just a snack and a friendly face, OSSB is here for you.
Success Coaching
OSSB offers personalized success coaching to help students set goals, overcome challenges, and thrive academically. To connect with a Success Coach, visit our staff page and schedule an appointment.
Program Requirements
The Office of Student Support and Belonging partners with several scholarship and support programs to ensure students receive personalized guidance and resources throughout their academic journey. Each program has specific requirements designed to promote student success, accountability, and engagement. To find out more about your specific program's requirements visit your specific program page.
Mission and Vision
Mission
The Office of Student Support and Belonging supports GVSU learners academic and personal development through coordinated learning experiences, personal and professional support services, and academic success coaching. Our OSSB scholars, their families, faculty, and staff can look to the Office of Student Support and Belonging for resources that will assist learners transition to GVSU, navigate their educational experience, and plan for their long-term success- particularly students in need of additional pre-college preparation. Our staff work to help students cultivate a deep sense of belonging, so they feel connected to campus, create positive relationships, and develop life-long attachments as an essential part of their time at GVSU.
Vision
GVSU will offer an educational experience that guides students toward academic success and seamlessly supports them every step of the way. The Office of Student Support and Belonging encourages students to become lifelong learners while advocating for necessary institutional change to provide the needed support for students to achieve success personally, professionally, and academically.
Community Agreements
The Office of Student Support and Belonging is a space that welcomes people where they’re at. We work to affirm students and center folk’s lived experience as well as operate from a place of intentionality. We view our space as a community and ask all those using our space and participating in our programs to do the same.
As such, by entering and using this space, you agree to…
- Refrain from discriminatory language, including but not limited to language that is racist, sexist, transphobic, homophobic, xenophobic, ageist, or ableist
- Be kind and respectful of one another, even when there’s disagreement;
- Approach discussions constructively and avoid personal, disparaging, or abusive attacks;
- Not engage in any physical violence, the threat of physical violence, or any behavior that endangers the safety of any individual or group
- Follow GVSU’s policy on sexual misconduct as well as GVSU’s student code
- Not Photograph and/or record others without permission, or any other engage in any other behavior that violates the confidentiality of other visitors
If you break these community agreements we may ask you to modify your behavior or leave if you are unable or unwilling to follow these guidelines. We also may take any action we deem appropriate for the safe and proper operation of the OSSB.
Whenever possible, the OSSB will support opportunities for individuals to engage with us, we recognize the value of two-way discussion, recognition of the harm caused to people, making amends, and forgiveness as also having value to our community.