Media and Press
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella on Economic Impact and Student Life
President Philomena V., Mantella joined Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds on WJR's JR Morning show to discuss all things GVSU, including the recent Economic Impact Report, state funding, student experiences on campus, and much more!
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Michigan Central and GVSU Partner to Expand Workforce Training and Education in Detroit
Grand Valley State University and Michigan Central are partnering to expand education and workforce pathways in Detroit, connecting students and residents to careers in mobility, advanced manufacturing, and robotics through hands-on learning inside Michigan Central’s innovation district.
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GVSU, local leaders, celebrate Battle Creek Innovation Hub as central to regional transformation
The newly renovated Battle Creek Innovation Hub, created in partnership with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Battle Creek Unlimited, is expanding opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and community growth in Southwest Michigan.
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STUDY: Grand Valley State University generates $3 billion for Michigan economy
Grand Valley State University leaders gathered in Grand Rapids Thursday to discuss a new study revealing the university's significant economic contribution to Michigan, generating more than $3 billion annually for the state.
Grand Rapids Promise Zone expands to GVSU, Ferris State
Grand Rapids Promise Zone is expanding to help more local students earn four-year degrees. Starting in 2026, GRCC graduates with associate degrees can receive up to $7,000 a year to attend Grand Valley State University or Ferris State University, with both schools able to match that amount if needed.
Grand Valley State University welcomes second-largest incoming class in school history
Grand Valley State University announced its second-largest incoming class in the school's history, with 4,400 first-year students enrolling this fall despite challenges in international enrollment.
Partnering With Employers To Unlock Talent
GVSU's Laker Accelerated Talent Link was the focus of a case study published by the Business Higher Ed Forum which highlighted the unique ways that Talent Link is addressing critical talent shortages and giving learners the skills they need to be successful from day one in their employment.
President Mantella at GlobalMindED
In June, President Mantella participated in a lunch session at the Global MindEd Conference,in Denver, Colorado where she took part in a panel discussion called "Reimaginging the Future of Talent Development." She was joined by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Karen Chong, Vice-President of Audience Strategy at AARP and Greg Robinson, Former Program Director for the Webb Space Telescope at NASA. Watch the full discussions here:
GVSU receives $1.6 million State Grant
Grand Valley received a $1.6 million state grant to launch an emerging evergreen fund to support high-tech startups and early-stage businesses in the Grand Rapids area.
Testimony in Lansing
President Mantella appeared in front of the Michigan House of Representatives Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges to share how GVSU is positively impacting the state by delivering great value and return on investment to both students and Michigan taxpayers.
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2024 University Address
President Mantella highlighted the exponential growth sparked by knowledge, celebrated progress under the Reach Higher 2025 plan, and stressed the importance of facing challenges with courage and respectful dialogue in her 2024 University Address.
View the story here Watch the address here
Grand Valley in Washington Monthly
Washington Monthly writes of Grand Valley's incredible return on investment for graduates and in-state graduate retention by harnessing data from an Upjohn Institute study and detailing political barriers to higher education.
Community Honors Dr. William ‘Bill’ Pickard at Charles H. Wright Museum Tribute
The Charles H. Wright Museum hosted an unforgettable event on Friday evening where loved ones, acquaintances, and esteemed leaders gathered to honor Dr. William ‘Bill’ Pickard’s extraordinary life and accomplishments.
Mantella on Laker Accelerated Talent Link
President Philomena V. Mantella shares details on GVSU's Laker Accelerated Talent Link, a program that connects students to work-and-learning partnerships, with thousands of business owners across Michigan through SBAM's FOCUS on Small Business magazine.
Mantella, Anaya: Partnerships are key to Latino educational advancement
President Philomena V. Mantella and Bank of America highlighted opportunities for economic prosperity through partnerships that accelerate educational advancement for the Latino community.
GVSU expands downtown GR presence with Laker Store
Grand Valley State University opens a new Laker Store location on Monroe Center St. NW in partnership with the Grand Rapids Art Museum.
Michigan Hybrid Program Aims to Reach 50,000 Adult Students
Grand Valley State University is introducing a new hybrid education program called Omni, which is designed to reach adult students and encourage continuous learning.
Crain's names President Mantella Newsmaker of the Year in education
Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantella was named Crain’s Grand Rapids Business Newsmaker of the Year for education as a result of her work in growing GVSU's enrollment and campus.
GVSU president talks about university’s future role in Muskegon County
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella prioritizes "strategic growth with a regional impact, increasing value and agility, and creating an ecosystem of innovation."
Changing Higher Ed with Dr. Drumm McNaughton
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella joins Dr. Drumm McNaughton to talk about implementing innovative structures in higher education.
New GVSU partnership focuses on economic growth via immigration
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella joined leaders from the Grand Rapids Chamber and Global Detroit at a news conference to talk about collaborative efforts to support new Americans to help encourage and drive economic development in West Michigan
GVSU President talks about growth plans for Grand Rapids campus
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella took part in the 2023 Mackinac Policy Conference, where she talked about GVSU’s growth and the school’s role in Michigan’s future growth. During the conference she was interviewed by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business for their Crain’s Conversations Podcast.
GVSU president named one of Crain's most influential women in Michigan
Crain’s Detroit Business selected Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantella as one of Crain’s 2021 Most Influential Women. The publication’s editors said the award is given every five years to 100 of the most influential women, calling it Crain’s “most competitive and prestigious awards programs.”
Mantella was chosen from hundreds of nominations and newsroom suggestions of the region’s most talented and powerful women. The list consists of women in business, public policy, nonprofit work and higher education, whose work has had a significant impact on the state.
Mantella empowers, diversifies university leadership
Mantella knows a key to success in any organization is the team. As she enters her third year as president, she looks at leadership opportunities at the university and believes they reflect her goals of broadening and deepening those seated around leadership tables and allowing more voices to be heard.
“My basic operating principle is that we want to invite more people into leadership,” said Mantella. “We want to say ‘yes’ to everyone who wants to lead at an enterprise level. That is reflected in the changes I’ve made to what we now call the President’s Council. Grand Valley is filled with talented, creative people and we want to give a pathway to those who want to contribute at a higher level.”
What is the media's role in democracy? GVSU roundtable explores premise in insurrection's aftermath
In the second installment of the Presidential Roundtable series, President Mantella joins former presidents Haas, Murray, and Lubbers to discuss American democracy. National journalists Lisa Desjardins and Astead Herndon provide insight into the events at the US Capitol on January 6 as well as the role of the media in building a stronger democratic society.
Desjardins, of PBS Newshour, points out that "splintered" cable news offerings have led to more audiences that are collectively less well informed. Herndon, a writer with The New York Times, discusses a lack of public trust in media outlets that have "missed a lot."
'A new, better normal': Education leaders discuss needed adaptations after COVID-19
President Mantella is joined by MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan’s Chief Deputy Superintendent Sheila Alles, and Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink to discuss the trajectory of higher education as the COVID-19 pandemic marks its first year.
“Digital transformation or operating in a digital-based environment, I think, has to be among our core competencies we talk about along with critical thinking, problem solving and understanding diversity,” Mantella said. “It’s got to become a fundamental competency that we build in for people to be work ready. Their work will change over the course of their lives and it will be important that they are able to make the shifts as the workplace changes.”
Grand Valley State launches problem-solving initiative to tackle issues in K-12 education
Grand Valley State University is launching a new problem-solving initiative that will unite the university’s resources with the innovative ideas of educators to find solutions for issues in K-12 education.
The NextEd Accelerator program will provide support for educators to test and implement ideas addressing the mounting needs of the nation’s K-12 students, President Philomena V. Mantella announced at a Grand Valley Board of Trustees meeting Friday, Nov. 26.
WHITMER, GVSU UNVEIL HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR WORKING ADULTS
Grand Valley State University has unveiled new programs to make degree attainment easier and more affordable for working adult learners. President Mantella is joined by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who affirms Grand Valley's efforts as a critical component in helping to ensure that 60% of Michigan adults have a bachelor's degree by 2030. "I think this program is a critical step in helping adult learners like Stec and so many other Michiganders get the skills that they need," Whitmer said.
GRAND VALLEY STATE OFFERING FREE TUITION TO SOME LOWER-INCOME STUDENTS
"The Grand Valley Pledge is a commitment to our communities," said Grand Valley President Philomena V. Mantella. "It is another way of assuring that we create opportunity and advance equity in the communities in which we live and teach, as well as inspire a broader movement of making higher education accessible to all." This article takes a deep dive on how the Grand Valley Pledge will make a difference for hardworking Michigan families.
SECCHIA FAMILY CREATES NEW MILITARY AND VETERANS PROGRAM AT GVSU
The family of the late former ambassador to Italy, Peter F. Secchia, partners with Grand Valley State University to establish the Peter F. Secchia Military and Veterans Program. Building upon the GVSU Veteran Promise, this program will provide student veterans with the support they need to succeed at university and after graduation.