Consortium marks milestone: agreements with 10 partners

Margo Abrams, a junior at Wilberforce University, is thinking about her post-graduation plans. That's what drew Abrams and 40 other students from nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities to participate in a three-day tour of Grand Valley's campuses.

Abrams liked what she saw. More importantly, she liked what she learned about Grand Valley's graduate programs.

"I enjoyed meeting the people here," said Abrams, a computer science major. "I got the impression they care for the students. It's why I went to an HBCU, to get that care and support."

Their whirlwind visit included a sightseeing tour of Grand Rapids, dinner with industry leaders, tour of Steelcase Inc., and meetings with student leaders, graduate program directors and student services staff. It was capped by a ceremony welcoming the ninth and 10th partners into the HBCU/HSI Consortium: Wilberforce University, in Wilberforce, Ohio, and Voorhees University, in Denmark, South Carolina.