October 28, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 5)
Anthony Spencer, associate professor of communication and media studies and graduate program director, meets with prospective students who visited Grand Valley in mid-October with HBCU/HSI consortium partner institutions.
Prospective students interested in GVSU graduate programs toured the Valley and City campuses in mid-October and learned about the growing partnerships among institutions involved in the Historically Black College/University (HBCU) / Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Consortium.
Grand Valley established the consortium in 2021 with a two-fold mission: to create more opportunities for students to earn graduate degrees and to diversify West Michigan's talent pipeline.
Southern University at New Orleans was among the seven participating institutions. Grand Valley is working toward an agreement with SUNO to develop pathways for SUNO students in Cybersecurity and Applied Computer Science.
Similar to other consortium partner agreements, the forthcoming agreement will establish a 3+2 pathway, enabling students to earn a bachelor’s degree from SUNO and a master’s degree from GVSU in as little as five years. Once finalized, this agreement will make SUNO the 11th partner institution in the HBCU/HSI Consortium.
More than 30 students, faculty and staff participated in the visit. Activities included meetings with GVSU faculty and program directors from 11 different disciplines, student panels, a tour of Grand Rapids and a dinner with community and industry leaders.
B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and College Futures, said representation from many regional stakeholders at the dinner underscored the consortium's commitment to advancing student belonging and talent retention in Michigan.
"Community and business leaders have supported the consortium from the beginning," Truss said. "They recognize that expanding the workforce pipeline is a priority for Michigan, and they are creating welcoming opportunities for our students to join their companies and organizations by setting them up for success."
Charles Ball served on the student panel, answering questions and sharing advice with prospective students. Ball, who earned a bachelor's degree from Talladega College, is a graduate student participating in the West Michigan Teachers Collaborative. In the spring, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced a grant to provide funding to address a shortage of teachers in the area.
"I was drawn to GVSU for new experiences and a different environment that would challenge me to grow personally and professionally," Ball said. "I told students that things might be hard at times, but to always remember that the reward is waiting at the finish line."
Panelist Babajide Koleoso is a graduate student studying electrical and computer engineering, after earning a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering from Fort Valley State University. He told students what stood out during his first tour of GVSU.
"I noticed that during the visit to the Medical Mile and the engineering buildings, it felt like a place designed to help students learn while preparing them for real-world opportunities," Koleoso said.
This article was last edited on October 27, 2025 at 8:43 a.m.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences program offers a venue for departments to invite notable alumni to share their experiences, insights and advice with students.
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