Leaders at GVSU, Kalamazoo Valley Community College Celebrate Partnership that will Help Students Advance their Education and Careers

From left are Nkenge Bergan, Kalamazoo Valley associate vice president for Student Development Services; Paige Eagan, Kalamazoo Valley provost and vice president for Instruction and Student Services; Kara Van Dam, vice president and chief executive of GVSU Omni; and Felix Ngassa, GVSU assistant vice president for Academic Affairs.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Leaders at Grand Valley State University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College celebrated their enhanced partnership that gives students in Southwest Michigan a seamless path to a bachelor's degree.

During an April 29 signing event at Kalamazoo Valley's Texas Township Campus, leaders from both institutions discussed their history of collaboration, including new endeavors such as ATAIN (AI Transfer and Articulation Infrastructure Network), which utilizes artificial intelligence sources aimed to improve the credit transfer process that will benefit students.

As GVSU is now an official transfer partner with Kalamazoo Valley, leaders and faculty are exploring direct program pathways for transfer students, with focus areas to include horticulture/agriculture, education and health.

GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella said partnerships like this help to fuel Michigan's economy.

"This agreement exemplifies how higher education institutions can collaborate to break down barriers and help more residents obtain bachelor's degrees in high-need industries," Mantella said. "Michigan's success is dependent on a workforce possessing the skills and critical thinking the knowledge economy demands and we're pleased to partner with forward-thinking institutions like Kalamazoo Valley Community College to help build the talent pipeline."

Kalamazoo Valley President L. Marshall Washington said: "This enhanced partnership with Grand Valley State University expands educational opportunities for our students by creating clearer transfer pathways between our institutions. The collaboration not only strengthens our academic offerings but also directly supports Michigan's workforce development needs in critical areas such as health care, education, sustainability, biomedical sciences and criminal justice. We're proud to formalize this Valley-to-Valley relationship that will empower more learners to achieve their educational and career aspirations right here in our greater West Michigan region."

Kara Van Dam, vice president and chief executive for GVSU Omni, said the institutions will also partner on workforce development and delivery of Omni programming to adult learners in Kalamazoo and the Southwest Michigan region. Omni is Grand Valley's network of organizations and community colleges that bring a Grand Valley education to learners wherever they live.

"Our partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Community College gives students in the region another strong choice for continuing their education," Van Dam said. "Together, we're creating clear, seamless pathways to a bachelor's degree by removing barriers and expanding opportunities so more students can reach their goals and help meet the state's growing workforce needs."

Jodi Rogers can attest to the early connections between Kalamazoo Valley and GVSU. Rogers, senior manager of communications at Kellanova, is an alumna of both institutions and called this partnership a "fantastic opportunity for students in our region."

"It makes higher learning more accessible and flexible, giving students the chance to stay connected to their communities while continuing their education," Rogers said. "By working together, Kalamazoo Valley and GVSU are helping to remove barriers and create clear, supportive pathways for students to reach their academic and career goals."