Students from GVSU in Grand Rapids

On behalf of the entire Semester in Detroit community, we would like to congratulate our colleagues at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) for the successful launch and completion this past summer of the pilot semester of their inaugural Semester in Grand Rapids Program.  Since we first welcomed GVSU students into SiD during the fall 2016 semester, we have been looking forward to the development of GVSU’s “sister-city” urban studies immersion program in Grand Rapids. 

The Semester in Grand Rapids program model was developed by Kristin Moretto (Director of the Office for Community Partnerships and Student Professional Development, Brooks College) along with the support of several GVSU staff and faculty.  SiD’s Associate Director, Craig Regester, provided extensive consultation and guidance to GVSU in the course of developing the program model over the past two years.  The concept was originally conceived by Anne Hiskes, the former Dean of GVSU’s Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Special thanks should be given to Mark Schaub (Interim Dean, Brooks College), who provided important support during the initial pilot and guidance on the future sustainability of the program.  SiD looks forward to the second summer of Semester in Grand Rapids next year, and the possibility to welcome UM-students into the program.