Ferris State University helps students complete their degrees

BIG RAPIDS, Michigan — Whether it’s a few credits or a semester, Ferris State University students are finishing what they started with the re-enrollment program. Re-Raise.

Sam Stover was just 15 credits away from graduating from Ferris State University when life got tough.

“When I first came to Ferris, I was beaming and thinking I was going to be very successful,” Stover said.

What started as an exciting opportunity for Stover took a different path.

“Everyone goes through a rough patch. It’s normal, and I hit mine a little harder than some and it really hit me hard mentally,” Stover explained.

After failing some classes, Stover decided to take a break.

Despite all the odds, Stover continued on his path and was determined to return to school and complete his education.

“I had actually decided to go back a few times. The first time I was with my best friend and we were going to do it together as moral support,” Sam said.

While we were getting ready to return to school, something unexpected happened.

“He actually passed away before we started,” Stover explained.

In a moment of incredible defeat, Sam found a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I heard about the ReUp program through Ferris. He actually reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, are you ready to start over?’ they said. We offer this to you to help you overcome some of the obstacles,” Stover explained.

ReUp is an initiative within the Michigan Association of State Universities designed to help students complete their degrees no matter where they are in their journey.

“There were a few schools that had engaged with ReUp and they were seeing success in getting students to return, and those were just students who had a small number of hours or students who had a lot of hours,” explained the Vice President for Student Affairs at Ferris State University. Jobs, Jeanine Ward-Roof.

The program includes a support network designed to guide students along the way, including trained coaches dedicated to connecting those in the ReUp program with the right university resources.

For students like Sam, the resources the program provides have made a huge difference in his journey.

“I couldn’t figure out how to re-register for my classes. I was worried about the commute. I work in a different city and I didn’t know if I would have to go back or if I could do all my classes, financial aid, everything online,” Stover said.

Through ReUp, Sam enrolled in classes at Ferris State as a student majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, where she both earned her degree and continued her career in social work.

The program has been successful, producing more than 48 graduates, according to Ferris State University officials.

Stover is officially one of those graduates, and she told FOX 17 she was overcome with the emotions she felt walking the graduation stage.

“Oh, I cried. I definitely cried. When I looked up and saw my moms, I cried. They just had a look of pride on their faces because we had such a long journey to get here,” Stover expressed.

According to Stover, she currently works full-time as a social worker and case manager at a community mental health facility.

“You know stories like Sam’s, there were a few extra things he did to get through that stage and they mean a lot to him. That’s exactly why we’re here. Enabling every student to achieve the goals they have,” Ward-Roof assured.

Ferris State University officials confirmed there are 206 students enrolled in the program and more than 1,000 students are currently interested.

For more detailed information about the program, you can access the link. Here.

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