Speeches and Writings
University Boards and Long‑Term Success
An opinion piece by President Philomena V. Mantella, published by The Detroit News, outlines how university boards can strengthen long‑term institutional success by prioritizing stability, mission alignment, and thoughtful leadership development. Mantella emphasizes that boards play a critical role in navigating rapid change across higher education and ensuring universities remain focused on serving students and communities.
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Read more: Detroit News op-ed
Graduates cheered Steve Wozniak’s affirmation of humans over AI. Leaders, pay attention.
An opinion piece by President Philomena V. Mantella, published by the Chicago Tribune, highlights how graduates are pushing back on AI‑driven narratives and reaffirming the rising value of human judgment, adaptability, and relational intelligence in today’s workforce.
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An opinion piece by President Philomena V. Mantella, published by the Brookings Institution, highlights how current financial aid models overlook middle‑income students and calls for updated approaches that better reflect today’s learners and economic realities.
Redesigning College Affordability as a Co-Investment System
An opinion piece by President Philomena V. Mantella, published in Trusteeship by the Association of Governing Boards, outlines a co‑investment approach to college affordability and calls for shared responsibility among students, institutions, and policymakers to strengthen access and long‑term student success.
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Opinion | Stewardship over spotlight: Rethinking leadership in a time of turnover
An opinion piece by President Philomena V. Mantella, published by Bridge Michigan, reflects on the importance of stewardship‑focused leadership during a period of significant turnover across higher education and public life, and underscores the need for leaders who prioritize mission, stability, and long‑term impact.
Read more: Bridge Michigan op-ed
Opinion: Michigan can't grow without fixing funding for universities
An op-ed by GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella, published in the December 15 issue of Crain’s Detroit Business, asks state officials to address the chronic underfunding of Michigan’s public universities.
2025 GVSU University Address
Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella outlines the university's priorities for the year and why GVSU is poised for success amidst a rapidly changing environment.
Watch: 2025 University Address
Michigan Listens: An Evening of Stories From Across Our State
Hear from our fellow Michiganders — people from diverse walks of life — sharing what matters most to them. We invited these courageous speakers to reflect on a simple yet profound question: What do you value and why? They were asked to share what they value, why it matters to them, and how those values are reflected in their lives.
The audience was asked to listen with openness and without interruption. To refrain from applause, clapping, or sounds of agreement or disagreement. It is that simple and that important. This is an exercise not in agreement, but in presence — listening deeply, engaging thoughtfully, and connecting with one another as fellow human beings.
Mantella Reflects on Leading in Higher Education During a Time of Uncertainty
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella reflects on the unprecedented disruption facing higher education, including threats to academic freedom, evolving cultural and political pressures, and the personal impact on students, faculty, and staff. Emphasizing transparency, President Mantella reaffirms GVSU’s commitment to its mission and values and called on the campus community to remain resilient, hopeful, and purpose-driven.
Mantella participates in panel on "The Colleges That Can Save America"
GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella took part in a national panel hosted by Washington Monthly and New America regarding "The Colleges That Can Save America." The panel discussed research and data that shows regional public universities play a crucial role in producing talent, expanding access to higher education and serving their local communities and do so at a higher rate and more efficiently than many flagship universities.
2024 University Address
At the 2024 University Address, President Philomena V. Mantella emphasized the importance of new ideas, insights, and innovation.
President Mantella and Banking Leader in Op-Ed
President Philomena V. Mantella and a banking leader highlighted in an op-ed this week the opportunities for economic prosperity through partnerships that accelerate educational advancement for the Latino community.
President Mantella at SXSW EDU 2024
Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantella traveled to Austin, Texas to take part in a panel at SXSW EDU. SXSW EDU is an annual event that attracts a wide range of attendees from the education sector to share their expertise, learn from each other, and engage in thought-provoking discussions about the future of education.
Mantella and statewide business leader in op-ed: partnerships key to well-prepared graduates
President Philomena V. Mantella and Jeff Donofrio, the president and CEO of Business Leaders For Michigan, co-authored a piece for the Detroit News on how higher education and the business community need to work together to retain the talent Michigan needs both now and in the future. The piece highlighted several current partnerships at GVSU has that allow students to develop the skills that business say they need.