STUDENT STORY

“I have never been away from my home, so it was out of my comfort zone when I applied to Grand Valley, which is more than two hours away from my family. The campus is beautiful, and the staff were welcoming when I visited. It gave me that sense of home I was looking for.

I went to Mott Middle College and completed a dual enrollment program that allows students to pursue an associate degree while earning a high school diploma. When I graduated from Mott, I earned three associate degrees, and the majority of my credits transferred to Grand Valley. Even though I was used to being in college classes, I was still nervous about going away to college.

I thought I wanted a career as a pediatrician when I arrived at Grand Valley. After my second year, I learned what a physician assistant was, and that career path seemed to fit me better.

During my first year at Grand Valley, I attended Black Excellence Orientation and Transitions orientation. Both those experiences really helped me transition into college life and made me feel comfortable about my journey as a college student. Through those experiences, I have built relationships with staff and faculty that continuously support me as a student of color.

I joined TRIO-STEM, another career program that has helped me learn and prepare for my career. I meet with my advisor monthly to check in about classes, and I learn about resources that will help me succeed. Using these resources and building relationships is something that I will always appreciate about Grand Valley and that I will always be thankful for.”

(Quiona, Allied Health Sciences, Grand Valley State University)