News

GRAND RAPIDS — An agreement Southwestern Michigan College and Grand Valley State University signed July 17 provides SMC students with opportunities to take GVSU classes and degree programs at the Dowagiac campus.

“There is no denying the economic benefits of a higher education,” SMC President Dr. Joseph L. Odenwald said. “This partnership with Grand Valley State University will open a baccalaureate route for our technical graduates, enabling them to manage and own businesses and organizations.”

“GVSU is a quality leader, and quality is one of our core values,” Odenwald said. “Thus, this partnership is ideal.”

Odenwald complimented GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella for “always being where students are — athletics, arts, academics, move-in day. As a university president, it’s incredibly easy to have one’s schedule dominated by meetings and events without students, who are our most important constituents.

“Six summers ago, Dr. Katie Hannah, our vice president for the student experience, and Branden Pompey studied your new-student orientation program as we launched our own. Your staff gave us a day of their time, which aided in the transformation of our student experience. We have seen our retention rate jump double digits, with our trip to Grand Valley a major factor,” Odenwald said.

This agreement expands GVSU's Omni initiative, a network of regional campuses and community college partners that brings a GVSU education to learners across the state.

Students from SMC can enroll in hybrid or in-person courses, something Mantella said sets Omni apart from other programs.

"Michigan's future depends on growing the number of people with the education and skills needed for the knowledge economy," Mantella said. "Partnering with Southwestern Michigan College benefits the learners who can advance their career and the entire southwest Michigan community."

SMC students can enroll in GVSU's Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) program and pursue the  professional innovation or leadership and business major at SMC starting with the Fall 2024 semester.

The BAS in Professional Innovation or Leadership and Business Fundamentals is designed to provide further knowledge of accounting, finance, management, marketing and organizational dynamics while acquiring leadership and team-building skills.

The BAS is a collaboration between Grand Valley’s Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Seidman College of Business, where the signing took place.

The BAS will be offered via GVSU Omni, which provides students with the flexibility of virtual learning with the structure, stability and support of physical campuses across the state. GVSU Omni has regional campuses in Battle Creek, Detroit,  Jackson and Traverse City. Dowagiac will be fifth in the growing network. 

Additional academic programs will be added.

Kara Van Dam, Omni chief executive, said research shows working adults who return to the classroom are looking for hybrid models offering in-person classes.

"We know students want to quickly establish a community when they join or return to the academic setting," Van Dam said. "We call it 'learn where you live.' Grand Valley is offering the flexibility of classes to help adults advance their skills in their own communities."

Van Dam urged her urban colleagues to visit SMC. “It’s set in nature, acres and acres of green, trees and trails, but also modern spaces and vibrant performing arts that really are the community hub, cutting-edge and industry-aligned programs. Every time I go on your campus, I feel peaceful.”

SMC Campus Life’s Branden Pompey would concur from the vantage of someone with degrees from both institutions, plus a Michigan State University master’s degree.

“I wasn’t very focused in high school,” Pompey said. “Born and raised in Dowagiac, I joined SMC in 2005 and it became my home. I was in the theatre program and found out I was smarter than I thought, ending up on multiple dean’s lists. SMC showed me I could achieve, and with the right mentors and support system, there was nothing I couldn’t do.

“I transferred to Grand Valley, earned a 2011 bachelor’s degree in theater studies and did stand-up as well. Grand Rapids became a second home to me. These two colleges mean the absolute world to me. I’ve been in Campus Life the last nine years, working as assistant director and showing SMC students what they can do if they believe in themselves. I’m honored and pleased to be able to support Lakers at SMC. My two homes are coming together.”

GVSU will have office space at SMC led by a student services coordinator, who can offer broad-ranging transfer and student support. Learn more at Omni from GVSU.