The Thursday, April 17 demonstration was organized by the Advocacy Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) at GVSU. Over 100 assemblies were held across the country by the Coalition for Action in Higher Education to protest the Trump administration’s funding cuts to education and research, as well as the revocation of international student visas.

AAUP is a national organization of faculty and academic professionals that seeks to foster dialogue, raise awareness of issues and elevate university faculty voices. The day of action, endorsed by national AAUP, was established last year.

At GVSU, student organizations including The Olive Tree, Students for a Democratic Society, Progressive Student Union and Voices for Justice took part in the demonstration. University community members came together for speeches and chants, citing what they felt was the need to defend higher education from federal attacks.

Organizers and attendees said they believe universities are a space for social change, advocating for freedom in education and social equity.

“This space, university spaces, are potentially spaces of revolutionary social change,” said Brian Deyo, associate professor of English and the University’s AAUP president. “We’re all here to defend this place (GVSU).”

Joel Wendland-Liu, a professor in the University’s Integrative Studies Program, spoke to attendees about why he took part in the event.

“I feel like we’re under attack,” Wendland-Liu stated. “This university (and) the university system in general across the country is under attack.”

Wendland-Liu expressed that despite federal policies targeting diversity, equity and inclusion in education, universities have a duty to protect all members of their community.

“Diversity is a fact (and) a reality,” Wendland-Liu said. “It’s not something we shove under the carpet and ignore. It is part of our lives. When a member of our community is under attack, we fight back.”

National AAUP, alongside local chapters, have sued the Trump administration over the dismantling of the Department of Education and research funding cuts. AAUP is also part of a lawsuit alleging the federal government is violating the First Amendment by singling out noncitizens for their pro-Palestine beliefs.

English major Jackson Hicks and education student Ian McGuckin spoke to demonstration attendees. Hicks read from his class project, which centered on the role of the humanities and what he believes to be a for-profit education system. McGuckin discussed his view of public education’s function in democratic societies. 

“They (educational institutions) create informed citizens (with) the ability to critically evaluate arguments and analyze evidence,” McGuckin said. “Most importantly, they equip us with tools to work against structures of hierarchy, inequality and domination.” 

McGuckin claimed he wanted to challenge a “narrative of fear” that he’s observed among people who disagree with President Donald Trump’s actions. According to McGuckin, students are the voice of the future and have the power to create large-scale social change.

“We are here because we care deeply about the future of our nation,” McGuckin said. “Inner conviction is a power no government or leader can take from us.”

Wendland-Liu also mentioned this, asserting his belief that Trump wants college students and faculty nationwide to be silent out of fear for their current or future professions and finances. 

“That’s not gonna save any one of us,” Wendland-Liu. “That’s not gonna save this university (or) any of the people in our community who are under attack for their existence and being as people.”

OMA Assistant Director Juanita Davis began the event by sharing statistics on African American students in terms of education. Before the rest of the panelists began to talk, she shared that GVSU is aware of these statistics and is working to change the narrative. 

“Black women graduate at a 10% higher rate than black men,” said Davis. “The school-to-prison pipeline for Black men is a result of a lack of education.” 

Davis then introduced Phillip Todd, who was the host for the remainder of the event. Todd is a success coach for diverse population retention initiatives and co-lead of the Black Male Scholars Initiative program at GVSU. 

The rest of the panelists included Dr. Barry Hall, Assistant Director of the Charter Through College program and Interim Director of the OMA, Bobby Springer, Assistant Director of Veterans Upward Bound and co-lead for the Black Male Scholars Initiative and Dr. Donta Truss, Vice President of Division of Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach. 

Todd asked the panelists what made them want to attend college. 

“In high school, college wasn’t an option for me,” Hall said. “Basketball was my drive, but the push of my family made me do it up to my doctorate degree.” 

The remainder of the panelists mainly spoke about people that helped them along their educational journeys. 

Springer highlighted the fact that he started out working with non-white students in a summer job, then worked his way up from there. Hall decided during his undergraduate study that he wanted to pursue higher education. 

“I started out as a high school counselor, but a teacher told me that I could have a greater reach if I taught higher education,” Hall said. “I can connect with people that may have had similar life experiences.”

Seeing other people of color on campus is more important than many might think, Truss said. It makes students feel like they aren’t alone even though they may be living on their own for the first time.

“When people can connect with more people, it increases your chances of doing well,” Truss said. 

The final question from Todd before the discussion was opened up to questions from the audience focused on the panelists’ past. Todd asked what the panelists would tell their younger selves if they could meet them today. 

“It is important to tell them that they belong here,” Hall said. “You have more power than you will ever know, just keep pushing.” 

Truss agreed and added to Hall’s answer. 

“I would start by telling myself to slow down and take a deep breath,” Truss said. “That fear of failure, don’t let it rule you. You can do this.”

In closing, Davis brought everything full circle. 

“You’ve got to keep pushing, you’ve got to find your person and it’s extremely important if you can find someone that sees something in you that you don’t see in yourself,” Davis said. “Although I am not a Black male, I still share some of the same feelings.” 

More Black History Month events, both virtual and in-person, will continue throughout February. To find more information on future events, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma/.

The grant, which was written by GVSU TRIO-STEM Director Dr. Nykia Gaines, Mike Messner, Linda Rettig and Tim Marroquin with support from Sarah Keranen-Lopez and Leslie Vaas, will allow TRIO to offer financial and academic assistance to adults who want to pursue a college degree. Throughout the five-year grant period, around 850 adults will be served annually.

TRIO’s services are aimed at first-generation students, limited-income students and students with disabilities – three groups that are vastly underrepresented at most higher education institutions. The program aims to eliminate career and education gaps for those groups. 

“The goals for the eight programs we host at GVSU are to assist participants to progress through the academic pipeline up through earning a terminal degree,” Gaines said. “The Laker EOC staff will work to break down barriers which include limited financial and economic awareness, career readiness and access to postsecondary institutions.”

The Laker EOC will be the first TRIO program offered by GVSU focused on outreach to Kent and Muskegon County adults that are not already in college. While the program’s area of effect will stay fairly local for now, the center could expand to cover other areas of the state, including Detroit.

“We have the potential to apply for another grant in other parts of Michigan,” Gaines said. “We have our Detroit Center in the heart of Detroit, along with neighboring communities in West Michigan are always considered when researching and understanding the needs for these communities.”

Dr. William Washington, Director of GVSU’s TRIO program, is looking forward to the new center because it expands the program’s reach beyond the educational pipeline.

“This program can give hope to those that may have thought that their chance of improving themselves through an education was over,” Washington said. “This program will also cross all kinds of cultural barriers and bring resources to communities of people that may have not had access because of their situations. This excites me because the goal is to not leave anyone without an opportunity to further their education if they so choose.”

The Laker EOC’s physical location on campus has not been finalized yet. There will be space dedicated to the center in the DeVos Center on the Pew campus, and there is a tentative plan for the center to occupy space in the Innovation Hub in Muskegon. Even though the center needs two locations, the Laker EOC’s team still aims to spend as much time outside the office as possible.

“The majority of the staff’s time will be in the community,” Gaines said. “We will meet our community members where they visit – alternative high schools, career centers, veteran offices, etc.”

The TRIO team at GVSU, and the work that they do, is unique because all members once belonged to one of the underrepresented groups aided by the program. TRIO employees are especially passionate about their jobs and find great joy in helping students in situations they once found themselves in.

“Our desire to serve this population has to do with meeting our students and participants where they are while increasing resources that would lead to success and motivating each of them to achieve their academic, community and career goals,” Gaines said.

The Laker EOC is expected to open this fall. More information about TRIO and the services it provides can be found at www.gvsu.edu/sss.