Feature story: Building bridges to trust & success
Sitting across from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) academic counselor V’lecea Hunter, it's hard not to feel intimidated. From the beautifully organized surfaces of her desk, to the ten students sitting comfortably outside her door, to the newly curated graduation checklist waiting to be distributed, it’s clear that she takes her job very seriously - and is damn good at it.
Situated inside GVSU’s Enrollment Development Support Services office, Hunter provides advocacy and mentorship for students in five major scholarship programs - many of whom are students from underrepresented populations or are first generation college admits. An alumna of University Prep High School (Uprep), a dynamic charter high school, she also works closely with the GVSU Charter Schools Office to help current charter students get college exposure and meet relatable college students. Hunter’s unique ability to build relationships with the students she mentors is core to her success as an advisor, and it all goes back to her personal story.
As a high school student, V’Lecea Hunter didn’t have it easy. With a less-than-ideal home environment, she wasn’t getting the support she needed in the Detroit Public School system. Fortunately, she was admitted to Uprep, and her whole life began to transform. Focusing on a rigorous balance of coursework and internship experience, Uprep helped connect Hunter with the Detroit Neighborhood Services Organization Youth Initiatives Project, while also helping her develop the problem solving skills necessary for success in higher education. She quickly discovered her passion for helping students specifically, and began speaking at high schools in Detroit to support other local students.
V'Lecea Hunter serves as academic counselor for GVSU's Enrollment Development Support Services, and has helped hundreds of GVSU students on scholarship overcome their own odds and realize a better future.
Fast forward to high school graduation, and Hunter was still on the fence about attending GVSU, despite being accepted. Thanks to her very persistent advisor, Chick Blue, Hunter enrolled on scholarship and began her college career. She was comfortable doing the bare minimum to meet her scholarship requirements, and fought Blue at every turn when asked to go above and beyond. But over time, the care and persistence the Blue displayed gave Hunter something she had never had before: trust. Through her later years in college, Hunter excelled tremendously, and went on to get a Master’s degree - all under the watchful eye of Chick Blue. Their bond continues on today, and is something Hunter strives to cultivate with her own students.
Now pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership, V’Lecea Hunter is still growing in her passion and her expertise. But for those students she helps see through school, it is her dedication, not her degrees, that measures her value.
