Grand Valley State University’s Office of the President recently launched the GV Faculty Focus podcast, which aims to showcase individual faculty members and their accomplishments. Episodes, which will continue to be released monthly, feature a conversation between President Philomena Mantella and a faculty member regarding the scholar’s expertise, contributions to the University community and efforts to enhance student experiences.
The first episode was released on Tuesday, Feb. 4, and featured History Professor Matthew Daley. Daley is an urban historian who has been a member of GVSU’s faculty since 2004. His work focuses on U.S. history and important topics such as affordable housing and the impact of race, class and labor on communities. The conversation included what inspires him as a historian, his approach to student engagement and his current research focus.
Chirs Knape, assistant vice president of University Communications, said Mantella is excited to highlight knowledge within the faculty community.
“This (the podcast) was just one more way for her (Mantella) to shine a light on the work that they’re (faculty) doing and to build closer relationships with them (faculty),” said Knape.
Podcast guests are chosen based on suggestions from each college’s dean.
“This is actually something that we’ve worked with the deans of each college (on),” said Knape. “The deans of the colleges were asked to bring forward candidates for the podcast, and President Mantella is choosing from among the pool of who’s available based on who’s interested and who’s recommended.”
So far, the project seems to be welcomed by staff members at GVSU. Philosophy Professor Andrew Spear thinks the podcast is a great way for professors to share their passions and educate others.
“I think the podcast is a nice way to spotlight what some faculty are doing at GVSU,” Spear said. “In general, professors at GVSU feel appreciated when (their) passions and work are recognized and valued. The podcast is new, and it will be curious to see how it develops, but I think it is a nice step.”
Upon listening to the podcast’s first episode, Spear admires the thoughtful questions, focus and attention given to little details, such as the theme being composed by the University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance.
“I appreciate little touches like that (the theme), as they highlight the richness of talent and expertise that GVSU has to offer,” said Spear. “I’ll be curious to see how it develops.”
Len O’Kelly, associate director of GVSU’s School of Communications, shared similar sentiments regarding the new faculty podcast.
“I think it’s a nice way to connect on an informal level,” said O’Kelly. “It’s (the podcast) got great potential. I think it’s a nice way to get to know people across campus that we may not necessarily cross paths. There are many interesting people in the GVSU community that we might not otherwise meet.”
However, O’Kelly also offered critiques of ways the podcast format could be improved. O’Kelly feels the podcast is targeted toward other faculty members and administrators.
“Honestly, I think the target audience here is wrong,” O’Kelly stated. “A podcast aimed at students to get to know people they work with on their educational journey might be more useful.”
He feels the podcast’s tone is very “work-centric,” and that asking professors more about their personal lives might help build stronger bonds between faculty and students.
“There’s an opportunity, I think, to showcase the people that make up the GVSU community as people and not just as researchers,” said O’Kelly. “It might greatly benefit faculty to have another means to connect on a personal level with a changing student population.”
In addition to these critiques, O’Kelly also expressed hope for future student involvement in the podcast.
“I’m wondering, are any students involved in the production of this podcast?” O’Kelly questioned. “This seems like a great opportunity for a particular major program to have students gaining practical experience by using skills they already possess.”
