Reach Higher Celebration spotlights GVSU's innovation in Michigan

Community and industry leaders from across Michigan gathered at the DeVos Center on Grand Valley's Pew City Campus on April 17 for the university's Reach Higher Celebration.

The celebration was a culmination of GVSU's Reach Higher 2025 strategic plan, showcasing the continued progress toward helping improve the communities the university serves, breaking down barriers in education and empowering learners' educational experiences.

“GVSU's blueprint for tomorrow's education is one that revolutionizes learning and creates barrier-free opportunities,” said President Philomena V. Mantella during the celebration’s opening remarks.

The event included GVx talks and project showcases exemplifying Grand Valley's Reach Higher commitments : Providing an empowered educational experience, fostering a lifetime of learning and cultivating a culture of educational equity.

Among the featured showcases were the latest updates and insights on GVSU's Blue Dot Ecosystem. The project, aiming to transform Grand Rapids into a tech industry hub in the Midwest, featured a dedicated GVx talk from Laura Aikens, vice president for University Development, and Marouane Kessentini, the new dean of the College of Computing.

Immersive experiences featuring wearable technology to preview the various nodes of the Blue Dot Ecosystem and a preview of the concept rendering of the Blue Dot Lab were presented, in addition to the GVx talk.

“Having the ability to connect industry experts in and around Grand Rapids to the College of Computing is going to have benefits beyond what we can even imagine today,” said Jim Kuiphof, deputy Chief Information Security Officer at Corewell Health and GVSU alum.

Eric Kunnen, senior director of IT Innovation and Research at Grand Valley, said he is excited about the Blue Dot Lab’s potential to excite and inspire students who interact with new technologies.

“It's kind of like a tech playground for our students,” Kunnen said about the planned space at the hub dedicated to create interactive, immersive experiences for students. “It takes that small experience to a whole new level of immersion.”

Other featured GVx talks included GVSU's Omni program and its role in expanding the university’s reach across Michigan, targeting adult learners with a flexible learning structure across GVSU’s regional campuses. The latest on the Kirkhof College of Nursing’s work on integrating behavioral health into rural care was also a featured talk.

The immersive, experiential showcases highlighted Grand Valley’s commitment to leading in public education. Projects from departments that incorporate virtual reality, artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies were on display for attendees. GVSU students presented their work with direct impacts on the West Michigan community.

“Higher education has had a tough time in this country, and yet we’re moving forward. We have to spend positive energy,” said Mantella. “We have students and a community to serve today, and we will not be distracted.”