Grand Valley Magazine Summer 2015 - (Page 23)
Mastering a Subject:
GROWING
GRADUATE STUDIES
by Leah Twilley
Talented faculty, motivated students,
first-rate facilities, technology and
community partners are all part of a
very important mix.
They are what make a Grand
Valley graduate program successful,
said Jeffrey Potteiger, dean of
Graduate Studies. They also play
a role in determining potential for
new programs.
This combination has proven
successful since the first graduate
program was established in 1973, the
master's of business administration.
Fast forward 42 years to 2015 when 36
programs that span all eight colleges
serve more than 3,500 students.
In the early 1970s it was determined
by the leaders of Grand Valley that the
university needed to offer graduate
programs to become a well-rounded,
comprehensive university. As Grand
Valley grew over the years, so did the
number of graduate programs.
And it's still growing.
Within the last
close attention to job markets
"Grand Valley has
two years, graduate
and opportunities, as well as
been afforded
programs in
competition and the necessary
opportunities to
applied linguistics,
resources and expertise needed
develop programs for a new program.
clinical dietetics,
and philanthropy and that fit nicely
"It's also very important to
nonprofit leadership
consider how long it will take a
with needs of
were established.
student to complete the program,
the community
In 2008, Grand
how much it will cost, and if the
and nation."
Valley became the
other 16 colleges and universities
first university in
in the area offer it," he said.
- Jeffrey Potteiger
the region to offer a
Delivery is important, too.
doctoral program in nursing practice.
Potteiger believes certain types of
Potteiger said graduate opportunities
courses can be delivered effectively in
in the nursing and health professions
an online or hybrid environment, but the
will continue to grow. "With the Medical
university must consider how graduate
Mile in Grand Rapids developing as
students learn best.
it is, Grand Valley has been afforded
"Some students are digital natives
opportunities to develop programs that
and would enjoy an online course
fit nicely with needs of the community
and some aren't as comfortable using
and nation," he said.
technology, so an in-person, face-toThe decision to develop a new program
face format is best," he said. "At the end
is based on a variety of factors that
of the day, we must deliver effective
address local, statewide and national
instruction that will put students in a
needs. Potteiger and his staff pay
position to be successful. And that's key."
Rahat Sultana,
MASTER'S OF SCIENCE
IN ENGINEERING
23
photo by Mitch Ranger
Grand Valley Magazine
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Summer 2015
Campus News
Athletics
Donor Impact
Fall Arts Celebration
Evolving as a professional
Finding fellowships
Mastering a subject
Research
Focal Point
Q&A John Berry
Off the Path
Museum School
Alumni
Grand Valley Magazine Summer 2015
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