With the addition of youth from the Detroit Police Athletic League (PAL), many students in Detroit and Muskegon now participate in the university's Pathway to GVSU program.
Pathway to GVSU connects middle and high school students with Grand Valley through college readiness programs, including visits from Financial Aid and Admissions staff members, workshops and campus visits.
And there's the fun stuff. Detroit PAL football players played their championship game at Ford Field October 29. B. Donta Truss, vice president for Enrollment Development and Educational Outreach, addressed the audience during halftime, introducing the Detroit PAL-Pathway to GVSU program.
"I relayed the message that Grand Valley is here for them and we want to connect with them early so they have a better understanding of the college-going process. We will guide the students and their families through high school and on to college," Truss said. "It's important for everyone in the Detroit community to understand Grand Valley is a resource and can also be a destination."
Astin Martin, associate director of Admissions, said talks with the Detroit PAL to partner with Pathway to GVSU began about a year ago. Since then, 30 ninth graders from 15 Detroit schools have participated in the program.
Danny Vélez, associate vice president for Admissions and Recruitment, said, "We were thrilled to work alongside the leadership at Detroit PAL from the early summer leading up to the announcement, and are excited to have them join the Pathway to GVSU program."
