Nov. 17, 2025
Transitioning from high school to a four-year college can seem daunting if you’re trying to navigate on your own. Fortunately for students like Sally Odren, GRCC offers an onramp to the process, and the support to achieve a four-year goal.
“I originally enrolled at GRCC because I wasn’t ready to go into a four-year program,” Odren said. “My high school didn’t provide a lot of information about the college application process and I needed a middle step.”
Now in her second year at GRCC, Sally has set her sights on the University of Michigan, thanks in part to the resources she discovered through Transfer Bridges. The Transfer Bridges program connects GRCC students to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at U-M Ann Arbor, offering opportunities to engage and learn about the transfer experience.
“I love the transfer Bridges program,” Odren said. “I have been able to attend workshops, such as how to build a resume. I’ve met a rep from U-M onsite who helped me pick classes that will satisfy the transfer requirements. I’ve learned that expressing interest early can help you get accepted, so I’m taking full advantage of what they offer.”
Through Transfer Bridges, Sally also discovered an invaluable opportunity for research this past summer. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program at U-M Ann Arbor offers a 10-week paid fellowship for Michigan community college students who are interested in continuing their academics at a four-year university. Sally applied and was accepted.
“It was an incredible experience,” Odren said. “I received a stipend to live in Ann Arbor and work for a Ph.D. student in the Marsal Family School of Education, studying the implications of diversity in the college admissions workforce.”
During the Poster Session at the end of the program, undergraduate students have the chance to create a poster that explains their research. Sally won a blue ribbon for her work.
“The judge asked me a really thoughtful question,” Odren said. “I had to explain the implications of my work to him, and it took some thought. I think I won the award because of that answer.”
Thanks to her excellent work over the summer, Odren is continuing to work for U-M as a Mellon Scholar Research Fellow during the school year. She puts in about 10 hours per week, doing work that is similar to what she did over the summer.
Transfer Bridges is helping Sally navigate her way toward a four-year degree. She’s also taking advantage of the Honors Program to help develop her academic skills. The GRCC Honors Program offers a transformative college experience for highly motivated students seeking academic excellence, leadership development and meaningful community engagement.
“I took an introductory seminar to learn research skills and understand the importance of community engagement, and that was really helpful,” Odren said. “Each semester, we need to complete honors projects or seminars and do volunteer work. The community engagement we’ve done is highly meaningful. For example, I volunteered to help paint a mobile home that was being given to a family as part of Family Promise of West Michigan. I also volunteer with the Literacy Center of West Michigan, which I love. All of these experiences are going to help me as I continue with my education.”
Sally will complete her pre-sociology associate degree in the spring of 2026, and plans to transfer to U-M to earn her bachelor’s degree. But that might not be the final goal.
“I’m hoping to go to graduate school,” Odren said. “I have really enjoyed the research I’m doing, so that may become a career option.”
Learn about the Transfer Bridges program and Honors Program at GRCC.