Wayne State University undergraduate and graduate students partnered in January 2021 as part of the Graduate School’s new pipeline program, Success for Underrepresented Students in Graduate Education (SURGE). The duos have spent the last year getting together to discuss the advantages and hardships of a graduate education and attend professional development workshops aimed at bolstering their graduate school and career readiness.

Funded by a grant from the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) and the Educational Testing Service (ETS), SURGE aims to support underserved, domestic students, including first-generation college students by mitigating a number of the common challenges to student success in higher education, such as funding and time to degree. 

The trainees had an opportunity to apply for the AGRADE master’s scholarship, which can greatly reduce graduate school tuition. They were also encouraged to apply to the Accelerated GRADuate Enrollment program (AGRADE), which allows highly qualified undergraduates to earn undergraduate and graduate credits simultaneously, saving students time and money. 

The 2021 session is drawing to a close and the Graduate School has reopened its SURGE application for mentors trainees through May 20. So Warriors can get a better sense of what to expect, we spoke to a few of the members of the first cohort. 

High praise 

Psychology major and trainee Shaqyna Ross says “I learned a lot of valuable information and I even got to listen to successful people that looked just like me. Having a diverse program really encouraged me and showed me that it is possible to be successful.” 

Ross says SURGE has given her that extra push she needs to apply to graduate school and given her the confidence she needs to succeed in higher education. 

“We don't only learn more information about our future careers, but we also learn valuable information we need during our daily lifestyle such as creating a resume, saving, protecting our mental health, and filing taxes. These are things we don't learn in school.” 

Mentor and student in the Master of Social Work program Sarah Whitney says she learned just as much from her trainee as her trainee did from her. 

“​​My mentee is incredibly smart, she teaches me new things constantly. She challenges me and has helped shape my world view and mentoring her has required me to do a great deal of self-reflection so that I could support her reflection. My experience has been gratifying and humbling and I highly recommend it.”

Learn more by and apply to become a mentor or trainee by visiting the SURGE website. 

April 21: The application deadline was previously May 6 but has been extended to May 20, 2022.