A Grand Valley State University alumnus has been chosen for a four-year ministry position in the cabinet of the government of Albania. Last fall, Erion Veliaj was named Minister of Social Welfare and Youth. Veliaj is originally from Albania but studied international relations and political science at GVSU in the early 2000s. In 2003, Veliaj started the organization MJAFT, a youth protest movement against corruption and lack of public services in Albania. The organization was awarded the United Nations Civil Society Award in 2004. Veliaj said his professors and experiences at GVSU encouraged him to start the group.