Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 14

to college
was off the table
for 18-year-old
Anthony Martell.
The Godwin Heights High School
senior got married in October, a month
before his son was born.
"It's been hard," Martell said, as he stared at the
ground for a few moments. "My first thought was
to drop out."
But, while Martell described how difficult it has
been juggling his parental responsibilities and getting
homework done, he described, with a smile, how
excited he is about continuing his education beyond
high school.
"I changed my mind," said Martell. "I'm going to
graduate and continue with school. The whole reason
I'm trying so hard is because of Mr. Bissett and his
constant encouragement."
Mr. Bissett is Jeremy Bissett, a Grand Valley
graduate student who is studying school counseling.
He is spending the 2016-2017 school year working
alongside counselors at Godwin Heights, meeting
with seniors about their college plans.
"Many of these students worry about being on
their own, leaving their families or dealing with the
financial burden of college," Bissett explained. "I assure
them they can take control of the situation and their
futures. I want students to feel more comfortable as
they transition from high school to becoming young,
independent adults."
Bissett said 85 percent of students at Godwin
Heights qualify for the free or reduced lunch program
and most would be first-generation college students.
Bissett helped Martell fill out college applications and
apply for financial aid, scholarships and grants. He has
done the same for dozens of other students.
Bissett's position was made possible through a
unique partnership among Grand Valley's College of
Education and The Graduate School with Michigan
College Access Network (MCAN) and two local
districts. The goal is to increase the number of
students pursuing postsecondary education.

G R A ND VA LLE Y M AG AZ INE

14

SPR ING 201 7

The partnership places two College of
Education graduate students in local high
schools to serve as college advisors. They
help seniors apply for two- and four-year
colleges, trade schools, certificate programs
and other credential-granting programs.
"This partnership addresses a
conversation underway in our state about
workforce talent and development," said
Shawn Bultsma, associate professor of
school counseling. "As employment needs
shift to areas like technology, energy and
natural resources, we want to make sure
we have the talent in our state to meet
those needs."
Te'Asia Martin, a graduate student
studying college student affairs leadership,
holds the other college advising position,
which is at Kelloggsville High School.
Like Bissett, Martin gives one-on-one
assistance to students, helping them send
transcripts, fill out forms and make plans
for their futures.
"I simply ask each student, 'What do
you want for your life and how committed
are you to getting there?'" said Martin. "If
these students tell me they want to become
a doctor or a nurse, I help them craft their
route to their destination. I don't tell them
what to do, but instead, I affirm their
goals and desires.
"That way, it's their own path, and
they can stay committed to the future
that they want."
Taelor Bennett, a senior at Kelloggsville
High School, said she's never really been
fond of school.
"I didn't really think about college
because I'm not really smart," said Bennett.
"Miss Martin encouraged me to write out
my plans for the year and for after high
school. I could study more and get a tutor.
Thinking about that made me feel good."
Bennett, a two-sport athlete, said she
stops to see Martin for advice nearly
every day. Bennett said her SAT score was
much higher than she thought it would
be and she has been accepted to a local
two-year college.
"Miss Martin had me write out what
I am interested in," said Bennett. "I'm
thinking about being a sports trainer
or a homicide detective."
Martin and Bissett are keeping track
of their efforts with each student. While
the partnership with Kelloggsville is new,
counselor Chad Morrow said it has been

2016
Godwin
Heights High
School

87%

of the senior
class had applied
to at least one
postsecondary
program

79%

of the senior
class had been
accepted to at
least one program

In a
class of

117
346

students,

applications had
been submitted
to in-state and
out-of-state
postsecondary
institutions and
programs;

244

acceptance
letters had
been received



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017

West Side story
Knowledge for all
Hopes and dreams for a better future
Fund honors son's memory
Athletics
Q&A
Off the Path
Research
Arts
Campus News Briefs
Alumni Giving
Alumni Profile
Alumni News Briefs
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 1
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 2
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 3
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - West Side story
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 5
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 6
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 7
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Knowledge for all
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 9
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 10
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 11
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 12
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Hopes and dreams for a better future
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 14
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 15
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Fund honors son's memory
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 17
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 18
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 19
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 20
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 21
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Athletics
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 23
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Q&A
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 25
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Off the Path
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 27
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Research
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 29
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Arts
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 31
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 32
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Campus News Briefs
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 34
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 35
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 36
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 37
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Alumni Giving
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 39
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Alumni Profile
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 41
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - Alumni News Briefs
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 43
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 44
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 45
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 46
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 47
Grand Valley Magazine Spring 2017 - 48
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https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMSpring2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/GVMwinter2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/Grandvalley/GVMFall2014
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https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/spring2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/winter2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/gvsu/GVmagazine/fall_2013
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