Date Approved
7-30-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Education (M.Ed.)
Degree Program
Education Leadership & Counseling
First Advisor
Karyn Rabourn
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
Promise scholarships were created to remove financial barriers to higher education, but financial support is not enough to help students succeed. This project focuses on developing an academic advising office at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) to support students receiving the Grand Rapids Promise Zone (GRPZ) Scholarship. Using Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Model and Sanford’s Theory of Challenge and Support as a foundation, the project outlines a culturally responsive and student-centered advising framework. The goal is to improve student retention and persistence, increase academic advising, and build meaningful relationships between students and advisors. Project components include an advising handbook, a shared responsibilities contract, and a post-advising survey to evaluate the impact of the advising experience. By adding an academic advising structure that is specific to GRPZ students, this project helps move promise scholarships beyond financial and into a more comprehensive approach to student success.
ScholarWorks Citation
Lawrence, Mary E., "Promise In Practice: Building Belonging and Persistence Through Academic Advising" (2025). Culminating Experience Projects. 601.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/601
