Department of Philosophy
The Department of Philosophy is part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and offers both a Major and a Minor in Philosophy.
The Department counts 21 full-time faculty members working in a variety of specialties, who are active scholars committed to undergraduate education. They share their expertise in a wide variety of philosophical schools, national traditions, historical periods, and specialized areas of philosophical work.
The curriculum is designed to provide students with a foundation in the history of philosophy and also to encourage students to pursue work in their own areas of interest. Formal coursework is only one part of the Philosophy student's education. Since inquiry and study are most fruitful when conducted in a vital community of fellow scholars, the Department is committed to offering a number of excellent learning opportunities that go beyond traditional classroom structures.
Office Hours
Winter 2026 Office Hours
Office Hours Winter 2026
| Last Name | First Name | Location and Hours | Location and Hours 2 | Notes | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wietrzykowski | Mallory | wietrzma@gvsu.edu | Eberhard Center: Wed.: 5:00 PM-6:00 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Vessey | David | vesseyd@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-201: Mon./Wed./Fri.: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Uglietta | John | ugliettj@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-209: Tues./Thurs.: 12:45 PM-1:45 PM | View | ||
| Spear | Andrew | speara@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-213: Tues.: 11:20 AM-12:30 PM & Thurs.: 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Shang | Geling | shangg@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-208: Tues./Thurs.: 10:00 AM-11:30 AM | View | ||
| Pestana | Mark | pestanam@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-202: Tues./Thurs.: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM | View | ||
| Pelayo | Areins | pelayoa@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-212: Wed.: 5:00 PM-6:00 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Parker | Kelly | parkerk@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-200: Mon./Wed.: 1:30 PM-2:30 PM & Tues./Thurs.: 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Zoom (Please Email For Link): Mon./Wed.: 1:30 PM-2:30 PM & Tues./Thurs.: 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment Either in Person or Via Zoom. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View |
| Meyerson | Noah | meyernoa@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-229: Tues./Thurs.: 1:30 PM-3:30 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment Either In Person Or Via Zoom. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Marom | Itai | maromi@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-227: Thurs.: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | View | ||
| Marini | Daniela | marinid@gvsu.edu | LOH-237: Thurs.: 2:00 PM-5:00 PM | View | ||
| LaGuardia-LoBianco | Alycia | laguarda@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-205: Mon./Wed.: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM | View | ||
| Killoren | David | killored@gvsu.edu | Zoom (Please Email For Link): Fri.: 1:30 PM-2:30 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Hogg | Charles (Robb) | hoggc@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-219: Tues.: 2:30 PM-3:30 PM & Thurs.: 10:15 AM-11:15 AM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment on Tuesday and Thursday. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Harr | Quinn | harrq@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-231: Tues./Thurs.: 10:30 AM-12:30 PM | View | ||
| Castelao-Lawless | Teresa | castelat@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-207: Thurs.: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment Either In Person Or Via Zoom. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| Byrnes | Jeff | byrnesj@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-217: Mon.: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM | View | ||
| Barker | Beth | barkebet@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-203: Tues./Thurs.: 10:00 AM-11:15 AM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View | |
| August | John | augustj@gvsu.edu | MAK-B-3-215: Mon./Wed.: 2:00 PM-3:00 PM | Remote (Please Email For Link): Fri.: 3:00 PM-5:00 PM | Also Offers Office Hours By Appointment. Please Email To Set An Appointment Up. | View |
Congratulations Are In Order
Professor Teresa Castelao-Lawless (left), Professor Alycia LaGuardia-LoBianco (center), and Professor Andrew Spear (right) at the Tenure and Promotion Reception on September 11, 2025 in the GVSU Alumni House.
Congratulations to Professor Alycia LaGuardia-Lobianco on the promotion to Associate Professor and Tenure, and also to Professor Ronald Loeffler on the promotion to Full Professor!
Hoitenga Essay Contest
Grand Valley State University
Department of Philosophy
2026 Dewey J. Hoitenga
Philosophy Essay Contest
The Department of Philosophy invites you to submit your entry to the 2026 Dewey J. Hoitenga Philosophy Essay Contest. The winning paper will receive both recognition and a prize.
Papers on any philosophical topic and from any student enrolled at GVSU are welcome. Submit one copy of your paper to Allyssa Wetzel ([email protected] / MAK B-3 105) by Noon on Friday April 17, 2026. Papers must be unpublished, at least 10 pages (double spaced, 12-point font), and may not have been submitted unmodified to previous philosophy department essay contests. Please have your paper ready for “blind review,” that is, do not write your name on it, but rather attach a separate sheet or file with your name, email address, and the paper’s title, and remember to write your title at the top of your paper as well.
With questions contact: Prof. Spear, Department of Philosophy, [email protected]
Articles/Interviews
Professor Judy Whipps is featured on the Society for the Advancement of American Philosophy’s homepage in their “I am an American philosopher” interview series. Read the whole interview here (https://american-philosophy.org/i-am-an-american-philosopher-interview-series/i-am-an-american-philosopher-judy-whipps/)
Professor Judy Whipps
Recent Happenings For GVSU Philosophy
GVSU philosophers in the world: Professors. Wenhui Xie and Andrew Spear at the world Congress of philosophy in Rome, August 2024. Professors Xie and Spear both presented their research, attended other sessions at the conference, and spent some time one evening checking out the architecture of Rome.
Past Events
Majors Fair
BMS and Philosophy Major Jonathan McCabe and Prof. of Philosophy Andrew Spear want YOU to major in Philosophy!