GVSU Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration

Congratulations to the Fall 2025 inductees of Pi Alpha Alpha in the School of Community Leadership and Development !

PNA alumni Chris Gale recognized as one of the "150 Most Influential Philadelphians Right Now" in Philadelphia Magazine. Read the full story at www.phillymag.com/influential-philadelphians/

The Michigan Townships Association has named Zoann Hallam, who serves Laketown Township (Allegan Co.) as its deputy clerk, as a 2025 Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship. The annual award aims to encourage today’s students to pursue a career in public service.

https://michigantownships.org/michigan-townships-association-awards-its-robinson-scholarship-to-future-local-leader-2/

Alumni Celebration🎉: Congratulations to Pearlette Merriweather '95, on being named the Interim City Manager for the City of Muskegon Heights. As the city manager, she is responsible for managing the department heads who oversee day-to-day operations of the city, including the police chief, fire chief, department of public works, inspections and planning. Merriweather earned her bachelor's degree in Public Administration from GVSU Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration, then went on to law school after that. Previously, she worked for federal organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and USAID in the realms of contracts, grants and licensing.

GVSU MPA student awarded statewide scholarship.

The Michigan Townships Association has awarded Doug Ferguson, who is pursuing his Master of Public Administration, an annual award aiming to encourage today’s students to pursue a career in public service. With aspirations to serve as a public administrator following his graduation in April 2026, he said his goals in that role include “encouraging public and civic engagement, establishing trust between community and local government, providing a safe/exciting place for families to call home, and embracing/incorporating climate-forward solutions into local operations and planning.”

https://michigantownships.org/baldwin-township-resident-awarded-statewide-scholarship-for-future-local-leaders-from-michigan-townships-association/

Calling all 2014 & 2019 grads—your journey matters! 🎓✨

Where has your career taken you since GVSU? Share your experiences in our survey to help future Lakers succeed. It only takes 10 minutes, and you could win a $100 gift card or other prizes! Take the survey now at gvsu.edu/alumni/survey

Lakers, if you graduated in 2014 or 2019, we want YOUR insights. Take our survey to help future Lakers and enter to win a $100 gift card! Share your story and enter to win at gvsu.edu/alumni/survey

Bex Takacs-Britz, student in the Master of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program, was chosen to present their poster at Student Scholars Day last week. Bex Takacs-Britz's research study was entitled “Volunteer Managers’ Leadership Competency Impact on Court Ordered Volunteer Service Programs.” They recently were accepted to the EHD-Interdisciplinary PhD program in the College of Education, at Western Michigan University, in the Organizational Change Leadership Program. Congratulations to Bex for being accepted to the PhD program!

GVSU Students Assist Community Recovering From Hurricane Helene - Students Leaving A Mark

Fresh Coast Planning is now hiring for an Associate Planning Consultant. More details at https://www.freshcoastplanning.com/hiring