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Learn about the Trio Program at GVSU
In June, Grand Valley State University received a five-year, $1.4 million federal grant to establish a TRIO program in Detroit designed to create a successful college-going culture for high school students who would be the first in their families to attend college. The Detroit TRIO Upward Bound program will serve 60 students in ninth-12th grades from three schools in Detroit: University Preparatory Academy, University Prep Science and Math, and University Prep Art and Design. All three schools are among the charter schools authorized by GVSU. TRIO Upward Bound programs serve high school students from low-income families and those who would be first-generation college students. Program staff work in partner high schools four days a week, providing workshops and tutoring services to students. Upward Bound participants attend college tours, cultural field trips and a five-week summer residential program. President Philomena V. Mantella noted this is Grand Valley’s ninth TRIO program, aligning with the university’s strategic goals to open access to higher education while meeting the needs of state residents. “We want to help students reach their full potential by removing any barriers so they can enroll in college and be successful,” Mantella said. “Establishing a TRIO Upward Bound office in Detroit continues our important work of advancing educational equity and empowering student voice.” John Johnson, director of postsecondary and alumni affairs for University Preparatory Academy, said the schools are excited to partner with TRIO and GVSU. “Through this partnership we hope to strengthen our proactive college-going model by introducing students to postsecondary education at an earlier stage in their high school tenure and equip them with college readiness skills that will result in their success in college and beyond,” Johnson said. Nykia Gaines, assistant vice president for federal TRIO programs, said the Detroit program will be operational by the fall. It will be housed in the GVSU Detroit Center, 163 Madison St., and three people will be hired to manage the program. Gaines is a Detroit native and first-generation college student. “Receiving this grant and having a location in my hometown is heartwarming and humbling,” she said. “This is why I love TRIO; it provides access to a post-secondary education and removes barriers for first-generation students to reach their true potential.” B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, said the new Detroit staff members, like all TRIO employees, will be on the front lines of providing resources and guidance to help students succeed in high school and beyond. “We know the keys to help learners achieve success and this Detroit Upward Bound program is an example of a very intentional, hands-on approach to supporting students,” Truss said. “Staff members meet students where they are to help them navigate new systems and environments.”
The Upward Bound program at Wayne State continues to rise.
Now in its 56th consecutive year, the program — which furnishes Detroit students with college enrollment help, career counseling, academic support and community engagement — recently received yet another boost , when WSU was awarded a five-year federal grant worth nearly $4 million to continue its Upward Bound outreach. The renewal grant will allow the program, which is cost-free for students and operates as part of a broad network of student support initiatives overseen by the university’s Office of Federal TRIO, to continue to serve low-income Detroiters and high school students who would be the first in their family to attend college. Mark Jackson, Ph.D., director of the university’s Office of Federal TRIO, described Upward Bound’s impact on participating students as “life-changing.” “The phrase ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ has become a cliche, but it is particularly applicable with regard to first-generation and low-income students,” Jackson said. “Through continued exposure, guidance and encouragement from our college students and professionals, students learn so much more about the importance of being successful in school and how it will help them be successful in life.” Mark Kornbluh, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Wayne State, praised the program for its consistent success. “TRIO Upward Bound is a proven model to engage and expose students from historically excluded groups to the benefits of higher education,” Kornbluh said. “As we continue to strengthen our commitment to access, it is important to have programs like Upward Bound to extend into the community school districts — particularly in Detroit.” Created by the federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and launched at Wayne State in 1966, Upward Bound originally was one of three significant support initiatives — Educational Talent Search and Student Support Services are the other two — developed by the federal government to widen access to college for low-income and traditionally underrepresented students. The term “TRIO” was coined to describe the three programs, which operate nationwide at colleges and public and private institutions dedicated to working with disadvantaged youth. TRIO has since expanded its offerings to include the Veterans Educational Opportunity Program; the Educational Opportunity Center; the King-ChavezParks College Day Program; the McNair Scholars Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program; the Child Care Means Parents in School Program; and the Michigan Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (MI GEAR UP), designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. Upward Bound is open to students enrolled at any high school in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Eligible students must meet the criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education, plan to enroll in postsecondary education to pursue an associate or bachelor’s immediately after high school, and have at least a 2.5 GPA and an academic need. As Jackson noted, entire generations of families in Detroit have participated in WSU’s Upward Bound. “This relationship has thrived for so long because schools, parents and students can count on caring and compassionate services,” he said. “Students and staff form meaningful partnerships over the four years and work together to trust each other. Parents and teachers evolve to trust in the care and activities provided by Upward Bound for their high school students.” Jackson said he hopes that the Upward Bound program can continue to serve the Detroit high school community by providing valuable exposure and development to interested students. “The challenges facing Detroit students have continued to grow over the last few years, and our Upward Bound staff will continue to be innovative and motivational to help students and families meet those challenges,” he said. “I also very much hope to expand the support provided by WSU academic departments and other university offices to further enhance students’ educational and career aspirations.”
WHERE LIVING IN THE MOMENT MEETS PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE.
At Wayne State University, our campus is alive 24/7. With thousands of students living here and over 500 student organizations making their mark, there is always something happening. Experience the incredible food, art, culture and more all around Detroit, and find out why everyone who visits our campus knows one thing: Warriors live here.
To experience campus life, scan here or visit wayne.edu/campus
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Complete your application for admission at wayne.edu/apply. Use the code WSU2023 to have your application fee waived.
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Access to college education is more critical now than it has ever been. Western Michigan University is working to break down systemic barriers to success with unprecedented scholarship and support opportunities. The University recently announced the first initiatives made possible by the historic Empowering Futures Gift—a $550 million contribution to the WMU Foundation over 10 years—which will provide not only tuition-free education but also low-cost housing, a new Living Learning Community and a paid internship program for incoming and current Broncos. “In this rapidly changing world, a college education is more important than ever. But the cost of that education has shifted from the public to the student, putting it increasingly out of reach for too many. Western Michigan University is closing that gap by taking a holistic view of student success,” says WMU President Edward Montgomery. “The University is building an ecosystem of financial aid and programmatic support designed to meet students where they are and support them in their ambitions.” THE BRONCO PROMISE The first step toward upward mobility is getting a seat at the table. The new Bronco Promise will provide a tuitionfree Western education for up to five years for first-year students who come from Michigan families earning an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less and have net assets under $50,000. “Western is committed to opening the doors to higher education for all students who have the talent and determination to succeed,” Montgomery says. The University awarded nearly 400 of these scholarships in the 2022-23 academic year and anticipates awards will rise to 600 scholarships in subsequent years. EMPOWERING FUTURES HOUSING SCHOLARSHIP Even with very low or no tuition costs, living expenses can also keep a student from embarking on a college degree. The Empowering Futures Gift will provide up to $6,000 in housing scholarships to more than 100 incoming students for their first year and offer holistic support through the Bronco experience in the form of a new Living Learning Community. The Bronco Connect Living Learning Community is responsive to students who are still exploring their major. They get the chance to discover their interests while they explore careers, get involved in campus life and hone their study skills. In the Bronco Connect Community, students are encouraged to embrace the full campus experience— inside and outside the classroom—as they build an exciting and inspiring future. Preference for these need-based scholarships will be given to admitted first-year or new transfer students who graduated from Kalamazoo Public Schools, a Detroit high school with a Detroit address or a select list of Grand Rapids high schools, but all other Michigan residents are eligible to apply. Applications are due March 15, 2023. WMU PAID INTERNSHIP PROGRAM On-the-job experience is crucial for Broncos to explore careers and make the connections that could lead to their first job. But that experience doesn’t always come with enough financial compensation to cover students’ financial responsibilities. The WMU Internship Program, which provides financial support through the Empowering Futures Gift for internships at private and nonprofit organizations while subsidizing up to $3,600 in wages. “The University remains fully aware that a holistic approach requires financial assistance and more. There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” Montgomery says. “Students need support. They need guidance. They need the University to join them on their journey. And Western is committed to rising to that challenge.” Learn more about Empowering Futures scholarships at wmich.edu/empoweringfutures.
Tip 1: Never lose sight of deadlines Even with the extension some schools have provided, there may be additional deadlines you won’t want to forget. Deadlines for scholarships, financial aid, housing and athletics shouldn’t be missed or you could miss out on important opportunities. Tip 2: Choose the experience that fits your lifestyle Every college offers a different experience and it’s important to be aware of these differences before making a choice about which college to attend. Make sure the college you select provides a comfortable learning environment. Things to consider include class size, availability of online courses, student advisors and support services. Tip 3: Figure out how much financial support you will receive Don’t write off any college before making sure you understand the financial resources they provide. At first glance, tuition rates can look scary. However, these rates can be misleading without considering the amount of financial aid and scholarships a school offers. Tip 4: The school’s location needs to be right for you The decision to be close or far away from home is a very personal one. You may have always wanted to get away as a college student and be completely independent. Or you may have envisioned your family as a big part of your college experience. This choice requires a lot of self- reflection. Tip 5: Make sure it’s YOUR decision To help make this decision, you should visit (or complete a virtual tour) to explore each school and try to envision yourself going there. You can also talk to alumni of the school you’re interested in to find out what they liked most about their experience. Just remember – while taking other people’s advice into account, the school you feel most comfortable with should be your top priority.
Get where the world is going
Much more than business, technology, health and urban education.
You might have heard that Davenport University offers more than 60 high-demand degrees and that 90% of our graduates are employed within six months of graduation. But those aren’t
the only reasons we stand out.
Our small, safe campus features apartment-style residence halls with private rooms. We’re home to over 44 athletic teams, including 23 varsity sports in NCAA Division II, 24 academic clubs, and 18 social and recreational organizations. With 96% of our students receiving financial assistance, and an average student-teacher ratio of 13:1, our students get the personal attention and resources they need to succeed.
Check us out at davenport.edu/newstudent, or call us at 800.686.1600.
Innovative programs Lawrence Technological University is a private, 3,000-student university that offers nearly 100 innovative programs in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering. Highly-ranked university Small classes, taught by professors with industry know-how, and an exceptional focus on theory and practice, contribute to Lawrence Tech’s ranking among the nation’s best universities by U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review. Your hands-on education in programs such as business, design, engineering, and nursing begins on day one. Outstanding earning potential The Brookings Institution ranks Lawrence Tech fifth among U.S. colleges and universities in preparing graduates for well-paying occupations. Also, Payscale. com reports alumni salaries are in the top 11 percent nationally, and some 84 percent of students are employed or grad school bound by graduation, above the national average. NAIA sports teams Lawrence Tech also features more than 30 men’s and women’s NAIA athletic teams, including basketball, bowling, competitive cheer, cross country, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, volleyball, women’s softball, men’s football, and more. And if you are a gamer, LTU offers a collegiate, competitive esports team. Co-ops, internships LTU’s unique Southfield location provides you with opportunities for co-ops, internships, and professional development in a region with one of the largest concentrations of engineering, architecture, and technology jobs in the world. Which means – you can hit the ground running when you graduate. Financial aid and more About 74 percent of students receive financial assistance. For more info, contact Lawrence Tech’s Office of Admissions at 800.225.5588 or admissions@ltu.edu. Ready to apply now? Go to ltu.edu/applyfree.
T H I S I S Y O U R M O M E N T
Find your true path at Lawrence Tech and become a leader who inspires, innovates, and solves the challenges of today, while building a better future.
ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
ARTS AND SCIENCES
BUSINESS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING 5th in nation for boosting graduates’ earning potential 84% of students employed or registered for graduate school at commencement 11:1 student/ faculty ratio 30+ men’s and women’s sports teams
admissions@ltu.edu
Leaders don’t just meet expectations. They shatter them.
They dig deep to enforce change and define destinies. Leaders push beyond what’s possible to find what’s best. They transform the world — and themselves. Unlock your inner leader at Oakland University, and revolutionize your future. Become a #FutureGrizzly and pursue excellence with 140 undergraduate degree programs that push you to think beyond four walls. To get out and experience it for yourself. To find the answers in the lab, the field, the stage and the community. As an OU student, you’ll enjoy: • Advising throughout each year • Tutoring, study groups and supplemental instruction • Full-service writing center • Study abroad opportunities • Research projects as early as freshmen year • 24/7 library You’ll find your professors become your mentors, and they’ll help you make important connections between theory and practice. They stand firm on years of academic excellence — they are published authors, noted researchers, experts in their fields — and use their knowledge to cultivate and challenge yours. Let’s Go Let’s get back to pursuing dreams and pushing for our highest achievement. At OU, we continue to offer accredited, valuable degree programs with no-fee tuition pricing and special scholarships. And our faculty continue to offer the same personalized instruction and tremendous support students have come to expect from OU. Other areas of university life have been adjusted for your health, safety and support. See for yourself why it’s the best time to invest in your education at oakland.edu/support/future-students. Get to Know Us There is no better way to get a feel for your future college than by visiting campus. Right now, you can visit OU in-person and virtually. Just go to oakland.edu/visit to view everything that’s been tailored just for you.
MEET MONTASIA • Psychology Major • Zeta Phi Beta Sorority • Future Leader Dogs at OU • HOPE at Oakland University • Undergraduate Women in Healthcare
RESILIENT
oakland.edu
MONTASIA was attending a private college that raised its tuition during the pandemic. Realizing she needed more financial support, she transferred to OU — and quickly found social support as well. Despite an isolating time, Montasia met new friends, created connections and stayed involved on campus, taking advantage of every opportunity to thrive.
At Oakland University, we’re preparing the next generation of leaders.
U-M offers free tuition promise, the Go Blue Guarantee, on all campuses
The University of Michigan’s Go Blue Guarantee — a promise of four years of free tuition for qualifying Michigan residents — is available on all three of its campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint. High-achieving in-state undergraduate students attending U-M full-time automatically qualify for the award if they have a family income of $65,000 or less and assets less than $50,000. Students do not have to apply specifically for the Go Blue Guarantee. It is awarded to qualified Michigan residents who apply to U-M, get admitted, and apply for financial aid. The Dearborn and Flint campuses have additional GPA requirements. In addition, all three campuses continue to provide significant financial aid for students who do not qualify for the Go Blue Guarantee based on individual need and merit. The Go Blue Guarantee first launched on U-M’s Ann Arbor campus in 2018. Nearly one in five undergraduates on that campus are from families with incomes of less than $65,000. More than 70 percent of in-state undergraduates in Ann Arbor receive aid. Learn more: goblueguarantee.umich.edu Ann Arbor U-M’s Ann Arbor campus has 19 schools and colleges offering 280 degree programs. It is ranked the #1 public university in the U.S. by QS World Rankings and #1 on Money magazine’s 2022 list of “Best Colleges in America,” ranked by value. More than 31,000 undergraduate students are enrolled on this campus. Dearborn UM-Dearborn is home to four colleges offering nearly 100 majors. It is consistently named one of the best regional universities in the midwest and a best college for social mobility and veterans by U.S. News & World Report. There are more than 6,300 undergraduate students pursuing degrees at UM-Dearborn. Flint More than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend this U-M campus in the heart of downtown Flint. Its six schools and colleges offer more than 100 degree programs in online, hybrid, and in-person formats. UM-Flint has received the highest designation from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency every year since 2015 and received the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation in 2020.
goblueguarantee.umich.edu
Daryl Singleton and Michelle Davidson have never met but their paths have likely crisscrossed as ardent advocates for inclusion and diversity. Born and raised in Detroit, Singleton now visits the city’s high schools to spread the word about the programs and resources available at Macomb Community College, where he works as an Admissions and Outreach coordinator. “It’s great. I get to recruit students from my hometown,” said Singleton. “People don’t know what’s available to them or what the campuses are like (at Macomb.)” My message to all students is: ‘You’ll belong. You won’t be lost.” Singleton earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Spring Arbor University. He went on to work as a mental health clinical case worker with the HOPE Network in Jackson, director of Multicultural Affairs and Minority Engagement at Huntington University in Indiana and academic advisor in the TRIO program at St. Clair County Community College. The federally funded TRIO identifies and enhances services to disadvantaged students who are underrepresented in student populations at college and universities across the country. “Like my entire career, the focus (of TRIO) is diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Singleton. It’s a cause shared by Michelle Davidson, a Macomb alumna and self-described “activist.” After earning her associate degree in Pre-Social Work from Macomb, she transferred to Oakland University (OU), where she earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2018. She was 38 at the time, a bit older than the average college student. “I was juggling the demands of school and a full-time job, and raising two children,” said Davidson. “My Macomb and OU professors were compassionate to my needs as a nontraditional student.” Today, Davidson is operations coordinator with We the People, a social justice nonprofit that builds multiracial coalitions to support working-class democracy. “I think of myself as an “emerging” leader. I know the endgame I want to achieve — equality, empowerment for the community and a unified society,” said Davidson, who has cofounded two nonprofits with the same mission. “The Metro Equity Collaborative spearheads equity initiatives,” explained Davidson, “and The Black Business Association of Macomb uplifts, connects and enriches Macomb County’s Black business owners.” Stories like Davidson’s inspire Singleton as he takes his message to Detroit high schools, telling students about Macomb’s affordability, accessibility and the TRIO-like program called Student Options for Success (SOS). Working with community service organizations, Macomb’s SOS office assists students in finding the resources they need to overcome financial challenges so that they can stay in college and earn the credentials that will open doors for them. “Macomb has a great name and reputation in the community, and students benefit from that when they interview for jobs,” said Singleton. “From (Macomb) they can accomplish their goals and attain their dreams.” Michelle Davidson, a Macomb alumnus, is an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion through her work with We the People and the two nonprofits she cofounded.
Daryl Singleton is a Macomb Admissions and Outreach coordinator who empowers students with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about college.
Whether your student is new to college or not sure what to do next in life–count on us to help! • Passionate and personable instructors • Career pathways from business to health to skilled trades • 200 career degree and certificate programs • Financial aid, scholarships, tuition payment plan Students can apply, register and pay later for winter semester! Your student’ s start to an ywh ere i s here Learn more at macomb.edu/getstarted “As soon as I started at Macomb, my life changed immediately.” Jessica, alum
