Partnering with Employers to Unlock Liberal Arts Talent
The Business-Higher Education Forum’s Innovators at Work series showcases partnerships between business and higher education that are driving workforce transformation. Through case studies, this series highlights best practices, proven strategies, and impactful collaborations that address critical talent challenges and equip learners with the skills needed for the future workforce.
At Grand Valley State University (GVSU), liberal arts and science students develop strong durable skills, but many struggled to communicate those capabilities when pursuing careers in fast-growing fields like data analytics, project management, and AI. In a 2024 survey of 400 business leaders, BHEF found that 62% of employees reported difficulty in finding entry-level talent proficient in durable human skills. Meanwhile, West Michigan employers were faced with costly recruitment efforts, retention challenges, and limited access to diverse talent pipelines. They wanted earlier engagement with students, more equitable hiring models, and graduates prepared with both durable skills and industry-specific competencies from day one.
Recognizing the opportunity to address these shared challenges, GVSU and a group of committed regional employers launched the Laker Accelerated Talent Link, a career development program designed to equip students with industry-aligned skills and to provide employers with a role in shaping the talent they need.
“The Laker Accelerated Talent Link program has positively impacted both students and employers in its first two years while also producing a unique and valuable perspective into preparing learners for high performance and retention…. We are now scaling the program with a wider range of curricular options, choice on behalf of the employer whether to build in an employment commitment post completion and segmenting the employer investment depending on whether it is a new or existing skills bundle.”
– Philomena V. Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University
Translating Skills into the Workforce
Talent Link is an accelerated work and learning program up to 12 months in length where students receive professional mentoring, employer-sponsored workshops, opportunities to complete technical certificates to enhance their degree, employer-sponsored scholarships of up to $8,000, and paid internships aligned with high-demand career tracks.
From the outset, Talent Link was not just as a university initiative, but a true co-investment between higher education and employers. Founding regional employers, including Amway, Acrisure, Corewell Health, Consumers Credit Union, and others, provided both startup and ongoing funding as well as mentorship, project-based learning opportunities, and direct input into the curriculum. Their investment enabled GVSU to later lower the cost of entry for smaller companies and nonprofits, broadening the program’s reach across the region.
Employer Commitment and Financial Model
Employer partners contribute a $10,000 per-student investment, divided into:
- $8,000 in scholarships awarded directly to students ($4,000 per semester)
- $2,000 infrastructure fee to support program operations
- Employers offer students a paid, on-site internship requiring approximately 20 hours per week, structured to provide real-world experience and career pathway alignment.
- Employers actively engage in mentoring and co-curricular workshops that emphasize workplace readiness and leadership development.
Managed by GVSU’s CLAS Center for Experiential Learning in collaboration with the Career Center and University Advancement, Talent Link ensures academic progress and workplace preparation move forward in tandem through clear partnership agreements and continuous communication.
"I am incredibly grateful for the Talent Link program, as it allowed me to pivot my professional path. From the moment I joined the United Way team, I felt genuinely welcomed and supported. It was an invaluable experience that provided both personal growth and meaningful professional development.”
– Enya Gordon, Talent Link Scholar 2024-2025; Executive and Resource Development Assistant, United Way of West Michigan
Forging A Collaborative Solution
The partnership’s first years surfaced several challenges. Recruiting new employer partners while navigating complex financial aid and scholarship tax rules required creative solutions, such as using corporate grants to place students at nonprofit organizations. The team also worked to shift employer perceptions – positioning internships not as isolated experiences, but as the start of a long-term talent development pipeline. GVSU addressed these issues through clear communication materials, standardized employer agreements, and regular check-ins to ensure all stakeholders felt informed and supported.
"Several of the Talent Link students completed my CIS 349 agile project management course. The thing that really drives us is the opportunity to give back. To our industry, to our fellow professionals, young upcoming professionals, and that spirit rings through the work that these students completed, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.”
– Michael Warden, Agile Project Management Expert with Corewell Health and an Adjunct Faculty Member at GVSU
Early Impact: The Power of Partnership
The Laker Accelerated Talent Link program is showing strong early results. Since 2024, 43 students have participated in the program. Feedback from employers via GVSU’s Internship Management System shows Talent Link Scholars excel in teamwork, professionalism, communication, and critical thinking, with many receiving the highest possible ratings. Notably, 87% of graduating scholars have been offered full-time employment or contract extensions. Some employer partners have accelerated engagement by offering pre-internship roles to students before the formal internship period began, deepening relationships early.
“We are addressing the industry’s labor shortage concerns and creating a positive impact on the business community. We are proud to be a part of the founding partners that not only helped our business but also provided a path for students to have a bright future in software.”
– John Hulst, Managing Partner, Michigan Software Labs
By uniting the strengths of higher education with the needs and resources of employers, Talent Link is helping students translate their academic strengths into high-value workforce skills, while giving businesses a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining the talent they need to thrive.