BATTLE CREEK — Leaders from Grand Valley State University, W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Battle Creek Public Schools will discuss their collaborative impact to increase regional access to educational support resources during a grand opening event January 7.

All partners will attend the grand opening of the GVSU Battle Creek Regional Outreach Center, an initiative stemming from a five-year, $15.5 million grant from WKKF to Grand Valley.

Expected speakers are Philomena V. Mantella, GVSU president; LaJune Montgomery Tabron, WKKF president and CEO; Maria Cimitile, GVSU provost; Kimberly Carter, Battle Creek Public Schools superintendent; and Jean Nagelkerk, GVSU vice provost for health.

Staff members at the outreach center will support:

• BCPS students with college and career exploration, including help with federal aid forms and college applications

• Community members with college advising and career exploration.

Since the grant was awarded in May, Grand Valley staff and faculty members have designed and led professional development opportunities for Battle Creek teachers, working in collaboration with BCPS teachers and administrators. GVSU College of Education faculty have supported BCPS student teachers through seminars courses. BCPS middle and high school students attended several Grand Valley STEM-related camps last summer.

More information about the partnership is online