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GVSU - College of Education and Community Innovation

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GVSU - College of Education and Community Innovation

The College of Education & Community Innovation is dedicated to developing well-rounded administrato

The College of Education and Community Innovation (CECI) builds vibrant communities through scholarship, research, and collaboration. Our accomplished faculty members and staff members have a wide range of expertise in education, public service, philanthropy, human welfare, hospitality and tourism, and health administration, providing students a dynamic learning experience and empowering communiti

es with quality research and data. Students in our degree programs connect one-on-one with experienced faculty mentors to practice scholarship and gain practical experience in their desired field. Students in the college are also supported through the CECI Undergraduate Academic Advising Center to tailor their experience at Grand Valley to meet their career goals. Alumni of our programs are making meaningful contributions to their communities through out the world as law enforcement officers, social workers, public officials, nonprofit leaders, special events and hotel managers, and health administrators. Our alumni are building vibrant communities while building sustainable, professional careers.

09/03/2026

A group of 13 GVSU School of Social Work students had a memorable summer, spending 11 days in Ireland, immersing themselves in both urban and rural communities and interacting directly with Irish professionals and community members.

Read more about the trip at the link in the first comment.

08/31/2026

More than 220 Teacher Apprentices are now out in the field, taking the next step to becoming teachers! Last week, the Teacher Apprenticeship and Green Apple Ceremony took place, where the new apprentices learned about their semester-long clinical field experience, connected with faculty and celebrated this milestone.

We are proud to welcome this incredible group of future educators into PK-12 classrooms across our communities and here's to a semester of learning, growing and making a difference!

08/28/2026

We're ready for the start of classes on August 31 after a great day at our annual startup meeting. GVSU President Philomena Mantella, Provost Jennifer Drake and CECI Dean Sherril Soman shared their goals for the upcoming year and our entire college had a chance to connect and prepare for the return of students.

08/27/2026

CECI alum Jen Hunt has been named the new president and chief executive officer of the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin Countyacy Center of Kent County. Jen received her MPA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at GVSU and most recently was at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Servicesf Health & Human Services, where she served as a state administrative manager. Congratulations Jen!

08/12/2026

On August 6th, 2026, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced appointments to several statewide boards and task forces, and one of those appointed was a GVSU CECI alumni!

A huge congratulations to John Piggot, who was appointed to the Michigan Community Corrections Board. John is the chief of police at the Farmington Hills Police Department, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from GVSU. The Michigan Community Corrections Board serves in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Michigan Department of Corrections. It is charged with approving many components of community corrections programs, including goals, eligibility criteria, program guidelines, program standards and policies, the application process, procedures for funding, and criteria for evaluation.

We would like to once again wish John a huge congratulations on behalf of the CECI community!

08/03/2026

Taking care of your community can serve as the beginning of a student’s journey into civic education.
That theme ran through this summer's Groundswell Stewardship Initiative Summer Institute. Around 40 K-12 teachers spent three days taking part in experiential place-based education training as they prepare for the upcoming school year.

Groundswell partnered with the Michigan Center for Civic Education for a panel discussion that included state and local elected officials who shared insight on ways that students can take part in or influence the governmental process to make positive environmental change. Thanks to everyone who attended to help get the upcoming year off to a positive start!

07/27/2026

One of our Master's of Health Administration students is spending her summer at a unique internship that could help her become a CEO in just a few years. Learn more about a CECI partnership that's making it all possible at the link in the first comment. GVSU Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration

07/22/2026

We would like to congratulate Dr. Lihua Huang, professor in the GVSU School of Social Work (SSW), on her recent appointment to the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Center for Gerontology Education! Members of the council play an important role in improving gerontological competence within social work education.

Dr. Huang also recently completed her second term as a Board of Accreditation (BOA) member for CSWE, which is CECI’s accrediting body for the SSW. She served in this role for six years, which required a heavy workload for service to her profession and she supported CECI’s accreditation efforts as a consultant based on this expertise.

Huge congratulations to Dr. Huang on her accomplishments!

07/16/2026

We would like to give a congratulatory shout-out to CECI alumni Josh Owens! Owens has been appointed as the Charter Township of Texas superintendent. Texas Township is located in Kalamazoo County, west of Portage, MI.

Owens graduated from GVSU in 2018 with his Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). He also previously served as an administrative analyst for the City of Grand Rapids.

Owens brings several years of high-level public and private sector experience to his new role as superintendent. Outside of his work in Grand Rapids, Owens served as the deputy supervisor of Oshtemo Charter Township, and as the director of operations for Phoenix Construction Management & Services.

Huge congratulations Josh – we’re wishing you the best as you take the next step in your career!

07/13/2026

Congratulations to the Master's of Health Administration (MHA-SCLD) program for earning an eight-year reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME). The reaccreditation recognizes the program's commitment to healthcare leadership education and the work of program director, Raymond Higbea, and all the faculty and staff. You can read the full announcement from CAHME at the link in the first comment.

Address

401 W Fulton Street, 202C DeVos Center
Grand Rapids, MI
49504

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16163316821

Website

http://www.gvsu.edu/ceci/

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