Grand Valley State University encourages the campus to embrace a social justice and intersectional identity approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Get connected through each center's programming.

Land Acknowledgement

The Social Justice Centers collaborates with partners across the university and beyond to cultivate a campus community in which historically oppressed communities can succeed and thrive at GVSU. We work to ensure that students, faculty, and staff can find a deep sense of belonging on our campus. In our work, we center those who are oppressed including Indigenous people. We are committed to unlearning settler colonial frameworks and learning wise practices that center Indigenous knowledge and culture. We are committed to allocating resources, both financial and staff / student positions, for Indigenous programming, furthering Indigenous student support, fostering community partnerships, and developing intersectional events that cultivate Indigenous allyship.

Today, we would like to recognize the People of the Three Fires: the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodawademi peoples on whose land we are gathered on today. The Three Fires People are Indigenous to this land which means that this is their ancestral territory. Every university in this country was built on Indigenous land. We conduct land acknowledgments as a reminder of the histories, teachings, traditions, and the first people who originated here and who tend to Mshkiikii (land/earth) always.

We conduct these acknowledgments to be good visitors, as these were always done before colonial contact. To continue to be good visitors, we have the responsibility to learn about the history of settler colonialism and its impact on Indigenous people.

Visit the Land Acknowledge page at the Office of Multicultural Affair's website for more information and resources.

Events

GVSU tabling at Grand Rapids Pride

June 21, 2025 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Find GVSU's table at Grand Rapids Pride this summer! The LGBT Resource Center, LGBT Faculty/Staff Association, division of People, Equity, and Culture, and more will be present. Learn more about...

GVSU tabling at Grand Rapids Pride

June 22, 2025 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Find GVSU's table at Grand Rapids Pride this summer! The LGBT Resource Center, LGBT Faculty/Staff Association, division of People, Equity, and Culture, and more will be present. Learn more about...

Teach-In

November 12, 2025 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

GVSU's Teach-In is mutual education for the entire campus community, intended to address topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation....

Teach-In

November 13, 2025 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM

GVSU's Teach-In is mutual education for the entire campus community, intended to address topics related to inequality and systems of oppression, as well as social justice and liberation....

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Give Today

Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Endowment: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity in providing programming on the topic of gender equality.

Gayle R. Davis Center Fund Raiser for Women and Gender Equity: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity to raise awareness about issues that affect women and gender justice.

LGBT Action Fund: This fund provides direct support of LGBT Resource Center programs and services.

Military & Veterans Resource Center: This fund provides general support for student veterans including peer advising, support, and transitioning support.

Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center Endowment: Supports the needs of the LGBT Resource Center.

Office of Multicultural Affairs Program Fund: This fund is designed to assist the Office of Multicultural Affairs in developing programs.

Select a different fund

Give Today

Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Endowment: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity in providing programming on the topic of gender equality.

Gayle R. Davis Center Fund Raiser for Women and Gender Equity: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity to raise awareness about issues that affect women and gender justice.

LGBT Action Fund: This fund provides direct support of LGBT Resource Center programs and services.

Military & Veterans Resource Center: This fund provides general support for student veterans including peer advising, support, and transitioning support.

Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center Endowment: Supports the needs of the LGBT Resource Center.

Office of Multicultural Affairs Program Fund: This fund is designed to assist the Office of Multicultural Affairs in developing programs.

Select a different fund

Give Today

Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Endowment: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity in providing programming on the topic of gender equality.

Gayle R. Davis Center Fund Raiser for Women and Gender Equity: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity to raise awareness about issues that affect women and gender justice.

LGBT Action Fund: This fund provides direct support of LGBT Resource Center programs and services.

Military & Veterans Resource Center: This fund provides general support for student veterans including peer advising, support, and transitioning support.

Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center Endowment: Supports the needs of the LGBT Resource Center.

Office of Multicultural Affairs Program Fund: This fund is designed to assist the Office of Multicultural Affairs in developing programs.

Select a different fund

Give Today

Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Endowment: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity in providing programming on the topic of gender equality.

Gayle R. Davis Center Fund Raiser for Women and Gender Equity: Supports the Gayle R. Davis Center for Women and Gender Equity to raise awareness about issues that affect women and gender justice.

LGBT Action Fund: This fund provides direct support of LGBT Resource Center programs and services.

Military & Veterans Resource Center: This fund provides general support for student veterans including peer advising, support, and transitioning support.

Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center Endowment: Supports the needs of the LGBT Resource Center.

Office of Multicultural Affairs Program Fund: This fund is designed to assist the Office of Multicultural Affairs in developing programs.

Select a different fund

GVNext News

four people in a row on stage, one holding a big check

Veterans

Veteran's solution for the sandwich generation wins top prize at pitch competition

Participants in the MVE-Lab accelerated entrepreneurship program competed for prize money in Traverse City.

May 19, 2025

Shane Scherer, director of the Peter Secchia Military and Veteran Resource Center, speaks as part of the Military Connected/Student Veteran Orientation at the Kirkhof Center Veterans Lounge

Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center

Virtual Hug a GI campaign earns GVSU Veterans Resource Center MVAA honors

Grand Valley and the Peter Secchia Military and Veterans Resource Center will receive an education innovator award from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) on Friday, May 9.

May 7, 2025

Participants from the 24th annual "All Walks of Life" Pow Wow dance.

Office of Multicultural Affairs

'We dance for those that can't': GVSU's 24th annual Pow Wow celebrates Indigenous Culture

The annual event celebrates Indigenous culture through song, dance, feasting and socializing.

Apr 14, 2025

Dancers perform at the Asian New Year Festival.

Office of Multicultural Affairs

Asian New Year Festival celebrates Asian Cultures with performances, fashion show and more

The annual event was hosted by the Asian Student Union and sponsored by the Asian Student Achievement Program and had a variety of elements celebrating numerous Asian cultures.

Mar 24, 2025

Joshua Eapen takes a selfie with a group of students that were attending the first Multicultural Night March 20.

Office of Multicultural Affairs

Inaugural Multicultural Night hosted by Student Senate, Office of Multicultural Affairs

Inspired by Campus Life Night, the event allowed community members to interact with culturally focused student organizations and departments.

Mar 20, 2025

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Page last modified September 17, 2024

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