Sean Rouse, HCBU, visited campus to reach out to students. Lilly Kujawski | Washtenaw Voice
By Lilly Kujawski
Deputy Editor
WCC’s Fall Transfer Fair took place on October 3. WCC hosted over fifty colleges, and gave students a chance to find out more about the transfer process and meet representatives from a variety of colleges and universities.
For the first time at WCC, a representative from the Detroit HBCU Network, Sean Rouse, was in attendance. “We represent 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities that provide just as good an education as any other school,” said Rouse.
When asked about the message he wanted to bring to WCC’s campus, Rouse said: “[for] our underrepresented students, [we] just want them to know they have a number of options… We have a number of students who are going the community college route, either to Washtenaw, Wayne County, or Oakland, and some of them don’t go beyond that associate’s degree.” Rouse encouraged students to explore further academic advancements.
According to Rouse, the HBCUs around the country welcome students of all races. HBCUs are filled with diversity, with campuses representing states across the U.S., as well as fifty-two countries.
“Don’t let the idea of ‘in-state’ stop you,” said Rouse. He stressed the many scholarship opportunities available.
The nearest HBCUs to Michigan are in Ohio: Central State University and Wilberforce University. For more information about HBCUs, visit the Detroit HBCU Network.
Also present at the fair was the University of Michigan, which had far more tables than anyone else. Their new “GoBlue Guarantee” financial aid program was implemented recently, which covers tuition for students of households with an annual income of 65,000 dollars or less. This kind of financial assistance opportunity is sure to pique many students’ interests.
In-state universities included Central Michigan, Wayne State, Northwood University, Eastern Michigan, among others. Out-of state schools present were Columbia University, the Savannah College of Art and Design, Indiana Tech, and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising from California.
For more information about the transferring process and resources, visit the Counseling and Career Planning Office, or their page on the WCC website.
