GV alumnus named director of Regional Math and Science Center

Returning to Grand Valley State University is alumnus Kristofer Pachla, who has recently been named the new director of the Regional Math and Science Center, a GVSU department that serves K-12 schools in the area. The program provides opportunities and resources for schools to better engage K-12 kids in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) topics.

Pachla graduated from GVSU in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics and again in 2009 with a master’s degree in educational leadership. For the past few years, Pachla has been working as a graduate research assistant at the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement at George Mason University. He has been working on his doctorate at George Mason as well.

‘Adulting’ workshop to show students how to put together professional pieces

Taking place at Grand Valley State University Thursday, March 30, at 1:00 p.m. in Room 2266 of the Kirkhof Center is a workshop aimed at helping students communicate more professionally. The event, called “Adulting Like a Professional: Best Practices for Impressing the Pros,” is designed to help students put together polished emails, network better, find mentors and act professionally in other ways.

The event will give students an interactive opportunity to learn how to be more professional in their careers and to ask any related questions they may have.

Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival Starts Friday, March 31

The seventh annual Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival starts Friday, March 31, at 5 p.m. at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids and runs through Sunday, April 2, at the same place. The festival will be showing nine award-winning films from the Latin American countries of Brazil, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay.

While the films are the main event, throughout the days there will also be presentations and Q&A sessions from many of the directors of the films being played. The event is free, open to the public and LIB 100/201 approved.

For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.grlaff.org

Bicycle shop staff to help students prep bicycles for spring

The staff of the bicycle shop will be holding a bicycle maintenance event Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. at the Laker Village South Community Center. The event is to show students how to properly tune up their bicycles and how to clean, adjust and lubricate different parts to keep their bicycles running in mint condition.

The bicycle shop staff members will be providing tools and the necessary equipment to help students get their bicycles ready for the season, but they will be in limited in terms of supply. The bicycle shop staff asks any interested parties to RSVP at www.gvsu.edu/outdooradventures.