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Grand Rapids Public Schools highlights HBCU initiative; district reports multiple scholarship offers
Summary
District and community partners described a districtwide HBCU initiative that exposed students to historically Black colleges and universities and produced scholarships and acceptances from multiple campuses.
Grand Rapids Public Schools on Jan. 13 presented its HBCU initiative, a districtwide program that took students to historically Black colleges and universities to increase exposure to postsecondary options and supports.
Superintendent Dr. Leidrian Roby introduced the segment and invited Bridgette Chaney, executive director (HBCU initiative partner), who described a year of activity including campus visits, expos and scholarship opportunities. Chaney and school leaders said the pilot expanded in 2024 and that the district will run an application process for the spring trip and future cohorts.
Principal Kenyatta Hillhall (UPrep) and Aliyah Armstrong (school renewal specialist, Promise Neighborhood) described student experiences. The presenters said scholars completed college-application exercises, practiced writing essays and resumes, attended three expos and met admissions staff. The district said students also attended Central State University and other campuses.
District presenters provided figures from recent trips:
- Fall 2024 trip to Central State University: 11 students accepted and nine scholarships awarded totaling $36,000. - Fall 2024 HBCU Expo in Detroit: five students accepted on the spot and five scholarships totaling $60,000. - Spring 2024 HBCU Expo in Chicago: five scholarships totaling $87,500.
Chaney said the program had capacity limits; the district has capped participation at roughly 40 students and will use an application and selection process for districtwide participation. Presenters said criteria will vary somewhat by partner campus but that the district's process will include a student letter of recommendation and alignment with expectations for college campus readiness. Presenters emphasized that participants must be Grand Rapids Public Schools students.
The presenters described social-emotional benefits in addition to scholarship outcomes: increased sense of belonging, mentorship connections and exposure to campus culture. Students and staff who spoke in the presentation described the trips as "life changing" and a source of increased motivation to pursue college.
Superintendent Roby and Chaney said the initiative will continue with a spring trip under consideration to Georgia and Tennessee and ongoing HBCU expos and application outreach.
