From Alabama to Michigan: Two programs help new teacher thrive in classroom

He earned a bachelor's degree in childhood development from Talladega College in Alabama in 2024. The college is one of 10 partners in the Historically Black College/University (HBCU) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Consortium, a pipeline designed for students to pursue graduate education and to bolster West Michigan's workforce.

"I walked across the stage in 2024 to get my bachelor's degree and started graduate school the next day," Ball said, noting he started taking virtual classes through the College of Education and Community Innovation's Graduate Teacher Certification program before arriving in Grand Rapids later that summer.

His journey to Grand Valley began with a prospective student tour for students from Talladega and other HBCUs. During that tour, he listened to his peers discuss their transition from colleges largely in the South to Grand Valley. In mid-October, he was one of those panelists who answered questions from a new group of prospective students.

"They wanted to know the same questions my group did: How is graduate school different from your undergraduate school? What resources are available?" Ball said.

And they wanted to know about his transition from Alabama to Michigan.

"It was a challenge coming here, a culture shock," he said. "But in the end, there are lots of people willing to help me."