- ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE PROJECT -
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
Ferris State University (Big Rapids, Michigan)
Undergraduate Population: 10,398 undergraduate students
U.S. Department of College Scorecard: Graduation rate, majors, costs, salaries
Official Website: https://www.ferris.edu/
Social Media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Ferris State University Quick Clips
The following students volunteered to share their experiences at Ferris State University. Several of the students have relationships with the Academic Support Center, Center for Latin@ Studies, Disabilities Services, and other departments on campus (see bio). The panelists have included their contact information if you would like to ask them any questions about their experiences at Ferris State University.
Laurie shares why students should take advantage of tutoring...
Christopher shares how he found his people and places on campus...
Autumn shares how her advisor played a pivotal role in her life...
Laurie shares how Ferris has helped her fuel her passion for event planning...
Valeria shares how she found her support system at Ferris State.
Gilbert shares his First-Generation journey from high school to Ferris State
Leonora shares how she found help and support at Ferris State.
Randy shares how he made it to college and persevered through life's challenges.
THE COLLEGE PANELISTS:
Heather Schoenherr
Hometown: Grant, Michigan
High School: Grant Public High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Biochemistry
Occupation: SLA facilitator and tutor
Dream Job: Fiction Author
Heather’s Places: ALC (Academic Literacies Center)
High School Places: Art club, musical theater, marching band
First-generation student?: Yes
Reach out to Heather on Facebook: Heather Schoenherr or by email: schoenh4@ferris.edu
Christopher Jaco
Home town: Detroit, Michigan
High School: Hope of Detroit
Year in School: Class of 2025
Major: Bussines Administration in minor Communications
Dream job: Owner operator/own a fleet of trucks, and real estate agent
Christopher’s Places: Youth Initiative Program, Black Men Empowerment, first-gen.
High School Places: Studnet athlete's varsity, basketball, cross country, soccer
First-Generation Student: Yes
Reach out to Christopher on Instagram: @chrisjamesjaco
Autumn Wurtz
Hometown: Durand, Michigan
High School: Durand Area High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Social Work
Occupation: Receptionist, Assistant Student Worker, and Intern for ECDS
Dream Job: Owning my own private practice part-time, along with doing Social Justice Advocacy
Autumn’s Places: Peer to Peer, Soccer, Golf, Bowling, volunteer work with a local church
Reach out to Autumn on Instagram: autumn.rayne.w
Laurie Prentler
Hometown: Jenison, Michigan
High School: Jenison High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Hospitality Management
Occupation: Student Manager at Ferris State University Center and Special Events Intern at John Ball Zoo
Dream job: Corporate event/meeting planner!
Laurie’s Places: Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, the Honors Program, and the Hospitality Management Student Association
High School Places: Swim and Dive Team, Water Polo Team
Reach out to Laurie on Instagram: @laurie_prentler
Nicole O'Brien
Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan
High School: Traverse City Central High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Social work
Occupation: Educational Counseling and Disability Services at FSU
Dream Job: United Nations Diplomat
Nicole’s Places: ECDS has been stellar I highly recommend those who could benefit from their help seek them out.
High School Places: Advanced creative writing with national writers' series.
Reach out to Nicole: Facebook
Honiestie Wright
Hometown: Flint, Michigan
High School: Bendle High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Nursing (BSN)
Occupation: Resident Advisor
Dream job: Critical Care Nurse
Honiestie’s Places: Office of Multicultural Student Services, Honors Lounge, Rec Center
High School Places: Basketball, Softball, Track & Field, Golf, Student Council, National Honors Society
First-generation?: Yes
Reach out to Honiestie on Facebook: Honiestie Wright
Autumne Peoples
Hometown: Buchanan, Michigan
High School: Buchanan High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Healthcare System Administration
Occupation: Student Assistant in the Office of Multicultural Student Services
Dream job: Sonographer/ Ultrasound Tech, Professional Gamer
Autumne’s Places: Ferris State Esports, You Beautiful Black Woman, Office of Multicultural Student Services
High School Places: Cheerleading, Robotics
Reach out to Autumne on Instagram: A_Lynne99
Hanna Pollard
Hometown: Rockford, Michigan
High School: Rockford High School
Year in School: Senior
Major: Criminal Justice Generalist & Minor in Forensic Psychology
Occupation: Shelter Advocate at WISE
Dream Job: Children's Advocate
Hanna’s Places: Anonymous crafters is a group of people that enjoy doing crafts. Going to class and events in the dorms, football games, and random public events like silent disco, tailgating, and free ice skating.
Reach out to Hanna on Instagram: @LOLHAN15 email: Pollarh5@ferris.edu
Valeria Gonzalez
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
High School: East Kentwood High School
Year in College: 4th Year
Major: Nursing
Occupation: Phlebotomist at U Of M Health West Hospital & Student Admissions Representative @FSU
Dream job: Nurse Practitioner
Valeria’s Places: Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Hispanic Student Organization, Center for Latin@ Studies, Promesa Scholars Program, Honors Program
High School Places: Marching Band
First-Generation Student: Yes
Reach Out to Valeria on Instagram: __chapparrraaa__
Gilbert Torres
Hometown: Frankfort, MI
High school: Manistee High School
Year of graduation: 3rd year
Major: Secondary Education in Social Studies
Occupation: Social Media and Marketing Manager for the Center for Latin@ Studies
Dream job: I want to be a middle school teacher. The ultimate goal is to be a school principal
Gilbert’s Places: The Center for Latin@ Studies is the place I have met all of my friends in college. The center provides great social opportunities for students and I happened to meet lots of people my freshman year. The center has events like movie nights, FAFSA filing parties, and heritage awareness festivals.
First-Generation Student: Yes
Social Media: Instagram: gilbertnmntorres
Leonora Velasquez Mencho
Hometown: Kentwood, Michigan
High School: East Kentwood High School
Year in College: 3rd year
Major: Nursing and minoring in Spanish.
Dream job: I hope to become a registered nurse. But I also do want to go back to school and become a Nurse Practitioner.
Leonora’s Places: Promesa Scholars, Amigos de Promesa, Telamon Corporation, Cygnets: Official Interest Group of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority Inc. My sisters and I are all Noble Founders of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc at Ferris State University. I worked for Center of Leadership, Activities and Career Services (CLACS) as a peer success coach for a year. Order of Omega
High School Places: Soccer
First Gen?: Yes, and I am the first in my family to graduate high school as well.
Reach Out to Leonora on Instagram: @lvm1513
Randy Martinez
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan
High School: Grand River Preparatory
Year in College: 3rd year
Major: Associates in Marketing Major in Business Administration with a lean Certificate
Occupation: I work at the Office of International Education.
Dream job: Own and manage real estate
Randy’s Places: Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity Incorporated, Office of International Education, and Center for Latino Studies.
High School Places: Karate, Baseball, volunteering
First-Generation Student: Yes
Reach out to Randy: martir54@ferris.edu or Randy_mray
ABOUT THE ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE PROJECT
New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen talks with current and recent students about life in college. For more videos visit BeforeCollegeTV on YouTube. For more information about Harlan Cohen visit him online at: www.HarlanCohen.com or follow him on social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tik Tok | LinkedIn | Snapchat (helpmeharlan).
DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by panelists and participants are their own and are in no way endorsed, officially affiliated, or representative of the institution, Harlan Cohen, or BeforeCollegeTV. All views expressed on panelists social media are not endorsed or affiliated with Harlan Cohen and BeforeCollegeTV. Students views, opinions, and advice are their own. ALWAYS contact official representatives to verify and validate any information provided