Five Saint Augustine University (SAU) students visited Grand Valley State University (GVSU) recently to learn and network as part of SAU’s partnership with the institution, which Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Held on Oct. 28-30, the event was part of a GVSU initiative known as the Historically Black College-University (HBCU) / Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Consortium. SAU is one of the 10 institutions that are part of the consortium.
The purpose of the consortium is to collaborate, not compete with HBCUs and HSIs to increase the opportunities for students from minority communities to find real, valuable positions while simultaneously expanding the pipeline of talent in West Michigan through education. of diplomas.
SAU students present at the event were Gabrielle Hepburn, senior chemistry major; Raven McIntosh, senior biology major; Tyler Miller and Karly Gerome, both majoring in engineering mathematics; and Israel Pennerman, a junior public health major. They had the opportunity to learn about opportunities at Grand Valley State University and connect with students from other HBCU / HSI Consortium institutions participating in the event: Albany State University, Fort Valley State University, Houston Christian University, Johnson C. Smith University, Savannah State University, Talladega College, Wilberforce University, and Voorhees University.
Saint Augustine’s has had a partnership with Grand Valley State since 2021. To date, two SAU students have received master’s degrees from Grand Valley – Indie Sobiech (Biomedical Sciences) and Shaquelle Bain (Public Health). Four students are currently enrolled in Biomedical Sciences – Richara Bain, Janina Mayers, Kadain Roper, and Darriel Wright. And one student enrolled in Engineering – Joyce Jepleting. All students are recipients of scholarships or grants.
Dr. Tyrell Carr, Associate Dean of the School of Science, Mathematics, and Allied Health, is SAU’s Consortium Leader. The program allows students to earn degrees quickly, he explained.
“Our students can find a wide selection of graduate degrees at GVSU in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine,” Dr. Carr explained. “The program is open to 3+2 paths in which our students get their first degree from SAU by taking courses at SAU in Years 1 to 3 and GVSU in Year 4, then returning back courses at GVSU to graduate, while completing the master’s degree requirements in Year 5 at GVSU. Currently, our students complete all undergraduate courses at SAU before enroll at GVSU for master’s degree courses, all of which are a six-year experience compared to the five-year, 3+2 pathway.
The program has helped students like Indie Sobiech, who received a BS in biology from SAU in 2022 and a Master of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences from GVSU in 2024.
“My experience at Grand Valley has been amazing,” Sobiech said. “The highlight of my experience has to be the Biomedical Sciences program department. They have pushed me to be the best since the first day of classes. Even on days when I felt lost or discouraged , they showed me different ways to do that. Another thing that stands out is my team in the program. We stick together and make sure that everyone can be successful in each group.”
He plans to get his Ph.D. in pharmacology and becoming a pharmacist.
About Saint Augustine University
Founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the mission of Saint Augustine University is to foster a learning community in which students can prepare academically, socially and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse and changing world. quickly.
About Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University was chartered by the Michigan legislature in 1960 to respond to the need for a four-year community college in the state’s second largest state. Its mission is to teach students to shape their lives, their careers and their organizations. The university contributes to the development of society through excellent teaching, active research, and community service.
Dr. Carr and Indie Sobiech
Israel Pennerman participated in a discussion with the Director of the Graduate Program for Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Christopher Pearl
Gabrielle Hepburn and Raven McIntosh talk with the Director of the Graduate Program for Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Mark Staves
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