Simply stated, the program is a collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) to provide greater opportunities for multi-cultural students to find real, meaningful positions in West Michigan. Rather than competing, the consortium allows each institution to accentuate what they do well for the benefit of all students. It addresses both the needs of students and employers in a supportive, holistic approach to student success; an approach that is uniquely provided through a Grand Valley education. 

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Barriers to Success

Even when students have the raw talents and ability to succeed, they may face barriers to educational access, retention, and persistence. This is especially true at the graduate level. Barriers to learning are often compounded by limited geographic area, internship options, and academic choices available at well-respected, but smaller colleges. 

The Need is Now

Employers know the urgency of programs like this. Limited diversity in the talent pipeline has been exacerbated by the "great resignation" and changes in the post-pandemic workforce. At the same time, the value of varied perspectives in the workplace has put workers of diverse backgrounds in especially high demand. Reaching out to HBCU and HSIs from across the country helps bring more of the talent we need to our region and our state, and allows us to connect with some of the brightest young minds available. 

• Students begin their academic career at an HBCU or HSI for a strong educational foundation. Current higher education collaborators include
  • Fort V​​​​​alley State University
  • St. Augustine’s University
  • Alabama State University
  • Savannah State University
  • Morris Brown College
  • Johnson C. Smith University
  • Talladega College
  • Houston Christian University
     
• Students gain access to a broader selection of undergraduate and graduate academic degrees at GVSU.
  • Students may transfer to complete an undergraduate degree
  • Pursue an Articulated Collaborative Early Engagement undergraduate or graduate degree
  • Or begin their GVSU studies at the graduate level.
• Students gain real-world experience through immersion in local industries, preparing them to excel in the workforce from day one. This is enabled by industry partners who become part of the program by offering internships and co-ops.

Progress to Date

• The donor-funded pilot program was successfully initiated in the 2021-2022 academic year. The first student will graduate in April 2023.
• The pilot started in STEM and engineering disciplines, and quickly expanded to include additional fields of study.
• In the 2022-2023 academic year, the second cohort of students started.
• GVSU hosted 40 prospective students in 2022 and anticipates the largest cohort of students for the program to start in Fall 2023.

At Grand Valley we embrace our role as a leader in urgently advancing equity for all learners. Together, we ensure that our community serves as a catalyst toward a more just and sustainable world-on our campuses and beyond. We work to eliminate disparities and obstacles for student success, especially those that have historically been along lines of color, race, socioeconomic status, sex/gender, including gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation.

We also take seriously our position as the leading talent pipeline for our region, and one of the top talent providers for our state. We are the right university, at the right time, to address this need in Michigan.

Donor support is needed to achieve our goal of 150 students participating in the program per year within the next 10 years.

• Support the HBCU/HSI Pipeline Consortium Scholarship
  • • Students will be better able to afford tuition, housing, and other expenses
    • Students will be supported through graduation through additional academic and mentorship support
    • Students will receive assistance for the expenses of visiting campus to explore their options at GVSU. In 2022, 40 prospective students and their chaperones visited campus.
• Become an industry partner in the Industry Sponsored Graduate Fellowship Program
  • Employer provides paid internship or co-op position
  • Employer covers value of tuition for two years
  • Student is a part-time employee for two years
  • Employers have the first chance to hire these well-prepared graduates

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Contact

University Development
(616) 331-6000
[email protected]