Media and Press
Mantella Discusses Thompson Legacy on Michigan Matters
Philomena V. Mantella joins Michigan Matters to discuss the legacy of Bob and Ellen Thompson and the transformative impact the Thompson Working Families Scholars Program has had on GVSU students.
Watch: Michigan Matters interview
Four presidents, one question: What do universities owe the future?
GVSU’s past and present presidents come together for a rare, multi‑generational conversation on leadership, stewardship, and the evolving role of universities in meeting the needs of future learners and communities.
Read more: Four presidents (Crain’s)
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President Mantella Featured in Corp Magazine’s Michigan Inspiring Leaders Issue
In December 2025, President Mantella was featured in Corp Magazine's Michigan Inspiring Leaders issue. She was selected for the significant impact her leadership and accomplishments have made on both learners and the greater community.
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! Listen Here:
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.
Read more: Michigan Central partnership
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.
Read more: Battle Creek Innovation Hub
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.
Read more: $3 billion economic impact
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.
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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.
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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.
Read more: BHEF employer partnerships
President Mantella at GlobalMindED
President Mantella participates in a lunch session at GlobalMindED discussing the future of talent development.
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.
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.
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.
Read more: Washington Monthly
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.
Read more: Bill Pickard honor
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.
Read more: Laker Accelerated Talent Link
President Philomena V. Mantella and Bank of America highlighted opportunities for economic prosperity through partnerships that accelerate educational advancement for the Latino community.
Read more: Latino education op-ed
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.
Read more: Downtown Laker Store
Grand Valley State University is introducing a new hybrid education program called Omni, which is designed to reach adult students and encourage continuous learning.
Read more: Michigan hybrid program
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.
Read more: Newsmaker of the Year
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.
Read more: GVSU’s future role
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella joins Dr. Drumm McNaughton to talk about implementing innovative structures in higher education.
Read more: Changing Higher Ed
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.
Read more: Economic growth partnership
GVSU President Discusses 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.
Read more: Grand Rapids growth plans
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.”
Read more: University leadership