Kyra Hull arrived at Grand Valley with a full resume that highlighted her experience in health professions.
For example, the sophomore biomedical sciences major had already earned certifications in phlebotomy and CPR; completed a summer internship in the labs and product development areas of Ranir, a manufacturer of health care products; and completed a FEMA disaster training exercise.
Most of those highlights came through Hull’s participation in Kent Career Tech Center’s Health Sciences Early College Academy. As a high school junior and senior at Forest Hills Eastern, Hull took health professions courses at Grand Valley’s Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and through Ferris State University.
“Having that hands-on experience makes me different from other students and helps me to stand out,” said Hull, who is also a member of the Laker track and field team. “Having that knowledge through interactive learning really prepared me for college.”
Instructor Russell Wallsteadt recalled one of Hull’s research projects, a family history to track the possibility of diabetes among her relatives and identify those at a greater risk for developing the disease. “It was amazing work that impressed some Grand Valley faculty members,” he said.
About 40 high school students attend the Early College Academy each year; the partnership between Grand Valley and the Career Tech Center dates back a decade. Of that total, Wallsteadt said about 20 students matriculate to Grand Valley. The program’s college placement rate overall is 98 percent.
Hull said during her senior year, she took respiratory therapy classes through the Career Tech Center’s partnership with Ferris State.
For more information about the Health Sciences Early College
Academy, visit www.thetechcenter.org.
Sign up and receive the latest Grand Valley headlines delivered to your email inbox each morning.
