Partnership agreement opens doors to GVSU advanced degrees for Albany State students

Leaders at Grand Valley and Albany State University signed an articulation agreement September 25 that provides opportunities for students at the Georgia institution to earn master's degrees in public administration, health administration or communications at Grand Valley.

Albany State is the eighth partner in the HBCU/HSI Consortium , which opens access to advanced degrees for students and diversifies the talent pool in West Michigan. B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, said all three public HBCUs in Georgia are now consortium partners.

"These partnerships are the future of higher education," Truss said. "It's collaboration among institutions, not competition. We will ask students here to stay connected to ASU and we will ensure that this partnership is sustainable."

Jennifer Drake, acting provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, said Albany State students will receive academic advising, mentoring, financial aid support and access to internship opportunities. The partnership also opens doors for future faculty exchanges and collaborations, Drake added.

Truss said students who join Grand Valley will succeed largely because of the consortium's established resources and support structures, which he likened to a three-legged stool with support from both institutions and the West Michigan community.

"We will connect students with churches, barbers and hairstylists, the Urban League and others who will support them on their journey," he said.

Lawrence Drake, interim president of Albany State, said the partnership represents progress, adding "ASU was built on progress."

"This collaboration is about lifelong learning. What is lifelong learning? It's about beginning somewhere and not ending your learning, and it's about being excited about your learning," he said. 

Albany State students can enroll at GVSU beginning in the fall 2025 semester.