
















Dr. Nykia Gaines serves as the Assistant Vice President for Federal TRIO Programs at Grand Valley StateUniversity Dr Gaines,affectionatelyknowntomanyasDr G,isanativeDetroiter Shebegan herpost-secondaryjourneyasafirst-generationcollegestudentatGVSUinthefallof1994 During hertimeasanundergraduateDr GainesjoinedZetaPhiBeta,SororityIncorporated,joinedvarious studentorganizationandstudiedabroadatKingstonuponThamesinLondon,Englandandatthe UniversityofTorontoinOntario,Canada.AfterearningaBachelorofScienceinCriminalJusticein 1998, Dr. G continued her education at Grand Valley. During her master’s program she studied at Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico and vowed to continue exploring global education. Dr.Gaineswentontoearnamaster’sineducationwithaspecializationinCollegeStudentAffairs andLeadershipin2001.
Dr.Gainesstartedhercareeratheralmamater,GVSU,inHousingandResidenceLife.In2005,she participated in a staff exchange at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa which focusedonbridgingtherelationshipbetweenGVSUanditssisterinstitution.Inthesummerof2008, Dr. G resigned her position and left GVSU to pursue a doctorate full-time at Bowling Green State University,inBowlingGreen,Ohio.In2009,Dr.GainesspentthesummerstudyingFrenchatInstitut de Touraine in Tours, France. And, three years later, in May 2012, Dr. Gaines earned her Ph.D. in HigherEducationandStudentAffairs



Less than one-year post-doctorate, Dr G graciously accepted a staff position at Grand Valley StateUniversity Threeyearsaftershereturned,shebeganacareerinTRIOandsubsequentlywas appointed as Assistant Vice President for Federal TRIO Programs Dr Gaines’ most recent achievementwassecuringfournewTRIOgrantsinlessthantwoyearsincludingtwonewgrantsin Detroit. This accomplishment makes GVSU home of the largest number of TRIO programs in the stateandoneofthetopsinthenation.GVSU’s11TRIOgrantsareprojectedtobringover16million dollarstoGVSUandthecommunitiesitserves.
Dr. Gaines is the proud daughter of Robert and Patricia Gaines. She contributes her spirit of exploration and inquiry to her parents. She believes without their ongoing love and support she wouldnotbewheresheistoday.OneofDr.Gaines’passionsasanadministratorandeducatoris encouraging African American and other underrepresented students to study abroad. In her free time,sheenjoysmakingmemorieswithhertwo-year-oldson,ElijahandhusbandQuandours.She alsotakespleasureintravelling,connectingwithfamilyandfriendsandpartakinginfinedining.

2022-2023
SeniorProcession
Seniors are called in individually to the head table.
OpeningRemarks
Mikal O'Neal
ProgramCoordinator

SeniorSpeeches

All Seniors
SeniorVideo
Video
SeniorWINSeriesPinning
Katie Zvonek
EventCoordinator
ClosingRemarks
Adam Harris Director
Entertainment

Randy Scott
InternationalJazzRecordingArtist

University Prep Academy High School

Isaiah Chambers

Forester Crenshaw III
Natalie Davis
Nicole Davis
Destiny Dowell
Donjae Horne
Xavier Jackson
Charitee Taylor
University Prep Art & Design High School
Lauryn Bedford
Mekhya Metcalf
ArreAnna Ruiz-Grant
Brionna Thompson
Gerard White
83%


The percentage of GVSU TRIO Upward Bound Detroit Scholars from the Class of 2023 who will be first generation college students

Congratulations Seniors!!! You guys did it. You all make me so proud. This is such a huge accomplishment. Everyone doesn't have the privilege to say that they experienced or accomplished this. Please take this achievement in and immerse yourself in this moment.
You all are destined for greatness, so don't let anything stop you! Never stop believing in yourself. You’ve already shown everyone that nothing can stand in your way when it comes to accomplishing your dreams. This milestone is just a steppingstone for more successes to come! Just stay focused and you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
I am wishing you nothing but the best as you embark on this new journey.



r First Graduating Seniors, pride I feel in your mplishments is only rivaled by dness at not being able to spend time with you. I am so excited to where these next years of your take you; I know they are going some amazing places. It has an absolute treasure getting to know each and every one of you, I can't wait to see the individuals you become. Great things are in store for the whole lot of you!
So, to: Xavier, Natalie, Nicole, Charitee, Forester, Destiny, DonJae... Mondays and Wednesdays were always a great way to start my week and keep it going. You all will do amazing things.
And to: Gerard, Lauryn, Mekhya, Brionna, ArreAnna... Tuesdays and Thursdays always held new and unexpected experiences. Life will take you all far.

Remember to always look at the stars and keep your feet on the ground. Good Luck and Forever wishing you well.

Seniors at University Prep Academy - May 2023

Scholars at GVSU Girls of Color Summit - March 2023



GVSU TRIO Staff in Allendale, Michigan - March 2023

TRIO Upward Bound Detroit Staff in Allendale, Michigan - March 2023 Martk'd

on Sneaker Invitational - March 2023





Randy Scott is a professional musician, record producer and composer He signed a recording deal with a Sony distributed label called, Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records in 2011, and each of his records have debuted in the top 20 on the national Billboard charts Randy released his 7th solo album called “Elevation” in August of 2020, and the first three singles from the album debuted as back-toback #1s on the national Billboard chart. He has been awarded three Gold records, two Platinum records and one Multi-platinum record for his work on several Wow Gospel compilation CDs and recordings with Grammy award winners, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond and others Randy has his own station on Apple Music, Pandora and Amazon com called, “The Randy Scott Channel” He has a Bachelor’s degree in music education from Michigan State University, a Master’s degree from Wayne State University, and is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. In December of 2020, Randy was named international “Breakout Artist of the Year”. He contributes all of his accomplishments to his faith and belief in God.



Please visit RandyScottOnline.com for more information.
Facebook: @randyscottonline
YouTube: @randyscottonline
Instagram: @randyscott5454















