Five Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) students traveled to Grand Valley State University (GVSU) recently to learn and make connections as part of a partnership SAU has with that institution, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Held 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 10 institutions that are part of the consortium.

The consortium’s purpose is to collaborate, not compete, with HBCUs and HSIs to increase opportunities for students from minority populations to find real, meaningful positions while simultaneously expanding talent pipelines in West Michigan through graduate degree studies.

The SAU students attending the event were Gabrielle Hepburn, a senior chemistry major; Raven McIntosh, a senior biology major; Tyler Miller and Karly Gerome, both sophomore engineering mathematics majors; and Israel Pennerman, a junior public health major. They had the opportunity to learn about opportunities at Grand Valley State University and to 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 the partnership with Grand Valley State since 2021. To date, two SAU students have earned 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 is enrolled in Engineering – Joyce Jepleting. All students are recipients of scholarships or assistantships.

Dr. Tyrell Carr, Associate Dean of the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Allied Health, is the Consortium Lead for SAU. The program allows students to earn graduate degrees more quickly, he explained.

“Our students can gain access to a broader selection of graduate academic degrees at GVSU in the areas of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine,” Dr. Carr explained. “The program is open to 3+2 pathways in which our students earn their undergraduate degree from SAU by taking courses at SAU in Years 1 to 3 and GVSU in Year 4 and then reverse transfer GVSU courses back to SAU for graduation purposes, while completing master’s degree requirements in Year 5 at GVSU. Currently, our students complete all undergraduate courses at SAU then graduate from SAU prior to enrolling at GVSU for master’s degree studies, which all together is typically a six-year experience compared to a five-year, 3+2 pathway.”

The program has benefitted students like Indie Sobiech, who earned a B.S. in biology from SAU 2022 and a Master of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences from GVSU in 2024.

“My experience at Grand Valley has been nothing but amazing,” Sobiech said. “The highlight of my experience has to be the faculty of the Biomedical Sciences program. They have been pushing me to be the best that I can be from the first day of classes. Even on days when I felt lost or discouraged, they have shown me different avenues to make it through. Another highlight is my cohort in the program. We stick together and ensure that everyone can be successful for each class.”

She plans to earn her Ph.D. in pharmacology and become a pharmacologist.

About Saint Augustine’s University

Founded in 1867 by the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the mission of Saint Augustine’s University is to sustain a learning community in which students can prepare academically, socially and spiritually for leadership in a complex, diverse and rapidly changing world.

About Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University was chartered by the Michigan legislature in 1960 in response to the need for a public, four-year college in the state’s second largest metropolitan region. Its mission is educating students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies. The university contributes to the enrichment of society through excellent teaching, active scholarship, and public service.

Dr. Carr with Indie Sobiech

Israel Pennerman engaged in Conversation with the Graduate Program Director for Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Christopher Pearl

Gabrielle Hepburn and Raven McIntosh talk with the Graduate Program Director for Cell and Molecular Biology, Dr. Mark Staves