In our social media-curated world, it’s easy to believe that people who succeed in college do so effortlessly. They get great grades in high school. Their parents encourage and support them. They step immediately into college and float out after four years with a degree.
Samuel Wright will tell you that this curated vision can be misleading and potentially harmful.
“I grew up in Newaygo County, which is a rural community,” Samuel said. “My mom died when I was in third grade, leaving my dad at home with three kids. I got good grades in school but I never applied myself.”
Samuel admits that he was arrested multiple times in his late teens and early twenties. Somehow, he finally found a decent job and career path in telecommunications that didn’t require a college degree. That settled him down and he did very well for the next 20 years.
After Samuel and his wife adopted their daughter and moved back to Michigan, Samuel realized it was time for him to change course. A Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) billboard for Michigan Reconnect provided the catalyst for him to come back to school.
Samuel came to GRCC as a nontraditional student. He was in his 40s. He had a family. But he says that GRCC made it comfortable for him.
“I am so thankful for my GRCC experience,” Samuel said. “The advisors, the admissions people, the professors…everyone helped me. There was a huge financial value to attending GRCC, but I also felt fully prepared once I got to MSU.”
Samuel earned his associate degree at GRCC, then received a transfer scholarship to James Madison College at Michigan State University. He is currently poised to graduate with a 4.0 GPA. He also has a full ride scholarship to MSU’s College of Law beginning next year.