Partners
Enrollment Development and College Futures collaborates with a wide network of schools, community organizations, and regional partners that share our commitment to expanding educational opportunity. Through these relationships, the division strengthens pathways for prospective and current students, builds supportive environments that promote academic persistence, and advances initiatives that increase access for learners across Michigan and beyond. These partnerships enhance our ability to meet students where they are, extend GVSU’s reach into diverse communities, and create meaningful connections that help students navigate their academic and career goals. Below are key partners that work alongside the division in support of this mission.
HBCU/HSI Consortium
Grand Valley’s Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Consortium brings together multiple higher education institutions to collaboratively expand transfer and graduate pathways for students from historically marginalized communities. Through this consortium, students begin by building a strong academic foundation at one of the partner institutions and gain access to articulated undergraduate and graduate degree options at GVSU — often with dedicated academic planning, mentoring, and professional experiences that support both academic and career advancement. The consortium also includes opportunities for internship, co-op, and industry engagement, which deepen students’ workforce readiness and connections to regional employers.
Current Consortium Partners:
- Alabama State University – Articulation opportunities in computer science, cybersecurity, and applied computing pathways.
- Albany State University – Pathways in communications, management, and healthcare administration.
- Fort Valley State University – Founding partner with programs spanning engineering, STEM disciplines, and biology pathways.
- Houston Christian University (HSI) – First Hispanic-Serving Institution in the consortium, with pathways in engineering and sciences.
- Johnson C. Smith University – Collaborative agreements in engineering, public health, and applied science fields.
- Saint Augustine’s University – Pathways in applied computing and engineering disciplines.
- Savannah State University – Partnerships in criminal justice, communications, and cybersecurity.
- Talladega College – Expanded opportunities for students to pursue graduate education and teacher certification pathways at GVSU.
- Wilberforce University – Agreements supporting applied computing, data science, and engineering pathways.
- Voorhees University – Pathways in biology, computer science, cybersecurity, and communications.
Together, these partnerships help enrich the regional and national talent pipeline while enhancing access to advanced degree pathways for students from partner institutions.
Black Boys & Men National Symposium
The Black Boys & Men National Symposium brings together youth service providers, K-12 educators, higher education faculty and staff, and community leaders to understand and interrogate the “systems” that impact the lives of Black boys & men in order to deconstruct and rebuild for their success.
GVSU’s partnership with Michigan Central connects Enrollment Development & College Futures with one of the nation’s leading innovation ecosystems. Through this collaboration, the division engages in workforce development initiatives, youth programs, and early college access efforts designed to prepare young learners for future academic and career success. These efforts help expand GVSU’s reach into Southeast Michigan — offering culturally relevant programming that supports students during critical transition points, from middle school through college — and fosters mutually beneficial relationships with community and industry stakeholders.
The Detroit Promise provides a tuition-free pathway to a college degree for students who graduate from a high school within the City of Detroit. As a full partner in the Detroit Promise, Grand Valley State University allows eligible students to use the program to pursue a bachelor’s degree at GVSU. The Detroit Promise covers remaining tuition costs after grants and other scholarships are applied, helping ensure that finances are not a barrier to college completion. Through this partnership, Detroit students can attend Grand Valley with the support, structure, and academic resources needed to stay on track and graduate with a high-quality degree.
The Kalamazoo Promise is a place-based scholarship that provides up to 100% tuition and mandatory fees for Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates to pursue post-secondary education. Eligible students can use the Kalamazoo Promise to attend Grand Valley State University, applying the scholarship toward a bachelor’s degree program. The Promise covers up to 145 total credit hours, allowing students to begin or continue their academic journey at Grand Valley with significant financial support and a clear pathway to completing their degree.
The Grand Rapids Promise Zone removes financial barriers for students from eligible Grand Rapids high schools by covering tuition, fees, textbooks, and other costs to attend Grand Rapids Community College. Students who complete their associate degree at GRCC can then continue their education through a partnership with Grand Valley State University, creating a clear and affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Beginning in January 2026, eligible Promise Zone students may receive up to $7,000 per academic year to attend Grand Valley, with additional institutional support available to help close any remaining tuition and fee gaps—making a four-year degree more accessible and attainable.