GVSU Launches Digital Credential Wallet with Territorium

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) has launched a forward-looking pilot program to explore digital credential wallets, collaborating with Territorium, Velocity Network Foundation, and local K-12 school districts. The initiative, part of the GV NextEd Co-Lab’s innovation strategy, is designed to give students more control over managing, verifying, and sharing their academic and co-curricular records.

Empowering Students with Secure, Shareable Credentials

Starting April 8, 2025, students participating in the pilot will receive access to a digital credential wallet powered by Territorium’s LifeJourney platform. This wallet offers a secure and verifiable way for students to store and share their academic achievements, internships, skills, and other key milestones. Instead of relying solely on traditional transcripts, students can present a fuller, skills-based picture of their learning and readiness for college or careers.

“Education is rapidly evolving, and so are the ways we recognize student learning,” said Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Kentwood Public Schools, one of the pilot partners. “This initiative provides a foundation for new, dynamic credentials that capture the full range of students’ capabilities. Students will be empowered to showcase their skills more comprehensively, giving them better opportunities in higher education and the workforce.”

A Regional Collaboration with National Implications

The pilot includes juniors from GVSU and students from Kent City Community Schools, Kentwood Public Schools, and West Ottawa Public Schools—three school districts that are part of GVSU’s K-20 ecosystem. “It made sense to take this big step forward together, as we explore the possible benefits it could have for the admissions and advising processes,” said Meagan Treadway, Co-Lab Director of Special Projects.

By leveraging Territorium’s secure digital wallet, GVSU and its partners are positioning themselves at the forefront of a growing national movement toward Learning and Employment Records (LERs). “Our goal is to prototype forward-thinking approaches that can serve as national models,” said Steven Hodas, Executive Director of the GV NextEd Co-Lab. “This project is not just about modernizing credentials; it’s about rethinking what a credential can be.”

Building a Foundation for the Future of Credentialing

“This initiative not only benefits current students but also establishes a framework that can support future innovations in digital learning records,” said Ben Rapin, Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “Maintaining a tamper-proof, easily accessible record of credentials is a game-changer for higher education.”

Pam Wells, Associate Vice President and University Registrar at GVSU, added: “I’m intrigued by the possibilities that a digital credential wallet could offer GVSU students in terms of enhanced convenience, security, and a streamlined way for them to facilitate management of their credentials.”

Territorium: Powering the Transition to Skills-Based Records

As the digital wallet platform provider, Territorium supports institutions like GVSU in transforming how learners are recognized and how their data is managed. By aligning credentials with verifiable skills and experiences, Territorium helps universities build pathways supporting academic progression and workforce readiness.

This pilot marks a critical step in modernizing credentialing practices and offers a glimpse into the future of student data ownership and portability.