Good morning! Thank you for that kind introduction and thank you to Christine Rener for inviting me to attend today. 

And thanks to all of you for participating in this New Faculty Orientation program. 

Today marks the beginning of your own Grand Valley story. 

Each of you brings unique experiences, perspectives, and expertise, and we are excited to see how those gifts will shape your students, your disciplines, and our university. 

We’re pleased you’ve joined the GVSU community to become part of our important mission to support students as they find and refine their passions and purpose—as they transform themselves. 

Grand Valley was founded over 60 years ago by local community members, business owners and entrepreneurs to serve the economic needs of the region. This entrepreneurial spirit continues to inform Grand Valley’s culture, inspiring our faculty and staff to try new ideas to fulfill our mission of empowering learners in their pursuits, professions, and purpose.  

Our entrepreneurial spirit is thriving as we boldly expand the reach of our mission to educate more students, amplify our impact, and deepen our service to the public good. It’s an exciting time to join this thriving institution. 

Academic Affairs Strategic Plan 

As we begin this academic year, we are also moving forward with our Academic Affairs Strategic Plan which reflects who we are today and who we aspire to become in the years ahead. 

The Plan will guide how we make decisions, where we invest our energy and resources, and how we continue strengthening Academic Affairs in support of our students, faculty, and communities. 

Its vision is simple: Lead with intention. Collaborate with purpose. Create a lasting impact for generations to come. 

This vision is grounded in five strategic priorities that will guide our work across the division 

Advancing student success and academic excellence, 

Strengthening research and creative activity, 

Fostering meaningful interdisciplinary and cross-divisional collaboration, 

Supporting our faculty and staff, 

And ensuring that Academic Affairs continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students and our communities. 

You’ll hear more about how those priorities come to life within your colleges throughout the semester. 

Today, I simply want you to know that this plan is about creating the conditions for you, and our students, to thrive. 

Liberal Education 

At the heart of the Academic Affairs strategic plan is a deep commitment to the kind of education that defines Grand Valley: a purposeful blend of liberal education and professional preparation. 

This integration is what distinguishes us. At many institutions, these are seen as separate tracks. But here, we believe that liberal education and professional preparation are mutually beneficial, essential partners in preparing students not just for their first job, but for a lifetime of meaningful work and civic engagement. 

Liberal education reflects the best of our humanity. It asks us to reflect, to question, to create.  

It fosters intellectual curiosity, critical and analytical thinking, and the creativity that leads to innovation and adaptation. 

Our students are thinkers, makers, doers, and collaborators. They build knowledge, and they apply it, with integrity, empathy, and courage. 

They gain digital fluency alongside ethical responsibility. And they develop the confidence to navigate complexity with clarity and compassion. 

This fusion of liberal education and professional preparation produces graduates who are agile, grounded, and ready to lead. 

They don’t just respond to their work and the world – they help shape it. 

Student Centeredness 

Another important part of Grand Valley’s identity is that we are student-centered. Many institutions say they are student centered; we have the evidence to show that we are. 

You may hear colleagues ask, “Will this work for our students?” as they design curricular and co-curricular activities, as they develop syllabi, as they set in-person and virtual office hours.  

We are known as a relationship-rich institution—we are a large school with a small school feel—and our faculty and staff work hard to provide students with high impact experiential learning opportunities such as learning communities, internships, faculty-led research and creative activity, study abroad, study away, community-based learning, work-based learning and capstone courses. 

Every course offers an opportunity to engage students—to inspire them. Grand Valley faculty set high standards for students and also teach them how to reach that bar. 

We believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and that means creating learning environments where students are challenged, supported, and able to thrive. Excellence and opportunity go hand in hand.  

As a public regional comprehensive institution, we serve a large percentage of students who are the first in their families to attend college, and our alumni stories attest to the ways that a Grand Valley education changes the lives of individuals, their families, and their communities.   

We are fortunate to work in a profession and at an institution that makes a real difference in the world. 

Faculty Scholarship and Service 

At Grand Valley, we are committed to the teacher-scholar model. We know that faculty scholarly and creative activity is a critical component of the high-quality teaching and learning that I have been describing. 

Our engagement with the ideas, conversations, and practices within and across disciplines informs our teaching, and what happens in our classrooms informs and inspires our scholarly and creative work. 

We are deeply committed to standing up for intellectual inquiry and to proclaiming its value. Without the freedom to explore ideas and create new knowledge, we are not a society of human flourishing. I would encourage you to always remember to nurture your own intellectual passions. 

At Grand Valley, we are also committed to service. Service is the foundation of shared governance, and it also connects us to our communities and professional organizations. 

You will find that meeting your colleagues from across campus and across the country while doing meaningful service to foster community at the institution and beyond will contribute to a meaningful professional life. 

Teaching, scholarship, and service are not competing responsibilities at Grand Valley—they strengthen one another. The integration of your passions and commitments will ultimately enhance the educational experience you provide for our students. 

Closing 

Finally, I hope you will invest time in building relationships across our campus. Some of your most meaningful collaborations will come from conversations with colleagues outside your department and even outside your discipline.  

Grand Valley is at its best when we learn from one another, work across boundaries, and support one another as a community of scholars and learners. 

I want to thank you again for making a commitment to Grand Valley. 

You were selected not simply because of what you have accomplished, but because of what we believe you will contribute to this community. 

Your teaching will inspire students. 

Your research and creative work will advance knowledge.  

Your service will strengthen Grand Valley. 

We are grateful you chose to join us, and we look forward to all we will accomplish together. 

Welcome to Grand Valley! 

Thank you!