GVSU Bucks Statewide Enrollment Downturn

Many of Michigan's state funded universities have seen a downturn in enrollment recently, but Grand Valley State is not among them. 

In an article published March 28 in the Detroit Free Press, only 6 of the 15 Michigan State Public Universities reported enrollment growth, and GVSU was among them.

The two giants, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, both saw growth as did Oakland University in suburban Detroit, the University of Michigan's satellite campus in Dearborn, Michigan Technological University in the Upper Peninsula, and GVSU saw the most growth in enrollment over the past ten years.

That growth spurt has pushed GVSU past both Western Michigan University and Central Michigan University into the fourth highest student population in the state,

Incoming GVSU President Philomena Mantella is quoted as saying she is excited about GVSU's future.

"Grand Valley has the potential to be really special, It's growing and is in a community that really owns it and sees it as an  integral part of the economic fabric of the area."

Former student Mary Blake adds that she's amazed at the changes she has seen since her time in Allendale.

"It's crazy to see the changes over the past decade or so, there's just a sense of excitement around the whole place."

Currently, GVSU's student enrollment is at almost 25,000 students, up three percent since 2009.