Grand Valley State University has received a five year, $15.5 million grant to help expand higher education options for Battle Creek students.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation awarded the money to GVSU so that it could help middle and high school Battle Creek students better prepare for jobs in education, engineering and health care.
Kimberly Carter, Battle Creek Public Schools Superintendent, said in a press release that the partnership is ultimately a great thing for the district.
“The GVSU partnership will open up new, creative ways for BCPS to attract and retain talented teachers, create a student teacher pipeline to develop the next generation of local teachers right here in Battle Creek and help further develop our current teaching staff through university-led mentorships and professional development,” Carter said.
The grant will create a pipeline to help GSVU College of Education grads find jobs in Battle Creek schools. It will also pay for a program to help the district retain young teachers.
The grant will also help GVSU open an outreach center in downtown Battle Creek to coordinate student services, which is scheduled to open this summer.
Maria Cimitile, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Grand Valley State University, said the university looks forward to working with the schools.
“We are excited to contribute our faculty’s expertise to help in the growth and economic health of the community,” Cimitile said.
