As an urban public research university, Wayne State University is committed to driving prosperity for the community and accelerating mobility for Detroit youth. As part of that commitment, Wayne State will host 225 youth through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT), a citywide summer jobs program that trains and employs Detroiters ages 14-24. The university has partnered with GDYT since the program’s launch in 2015.
An event celebrating the launch of tenth summer of the program – which offered a record 8,643 youth jobs throughout the city this summer – was hosted July 9 at the Wayne State Welcome Center. To date, GDYT — a signature initiative of Mayor Mike Duggan’s Workforce Development Board and Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation — has created nearly 80,000 summer job experience opportunities.
“Wayne State is excited to support this program once again,” said Wayne State University President Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D. “As a university of opportunity, Wayne State is committed to accelerating mobility for Detroit youth. We do this through programs that enable access and knock down financial barriers to enrollment at our university, such as the Detroit Promise and Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge, and through learning-by-doing experiences like those offered by GDYT.”
GDYT participants at WSU will gain invaluable work experience and mentorship in paid roles supporting international initiatives, C2 Pipeline, the Center for Urban Studies, Math Corps, the Honors College and the College of Engineering.
These experiential learning opportunities mirror those offered to Wayne State students through its College to Career initiative, implemented to ensure that the next generation of graduates has the skills necessary for long-term career success.
“Opportunities that our Detroit youth have today through programs like GDYT make such a difference, and help prepare them for college and the workforce… I’m so proud that Wayne State and all of our partners have come together to organize and support this program,” said Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, a WSU alumnus. “When we come together to make Detroit better, we all agree it’s about our young people. The youth are our future, but we need to invest in them and give them opportunities like this right now.”
In addition to partnering with GDYT, Wayne State broadens access to higher education through programs like the Detroit Promise Scholarship and Heart of Detroit Tuition Pledge. Combined, these last-dollar scholarship programs have given more than 1,700 Detroit youth a tuition-free pathway to a WSU degree since 2016.
Indeed, many of the GDYT youth participants go on to continue their education at Wayne State. Bailee Searcy, a senior majoring in community health, was introduced to WSU through GDYT events and workshops on campus, which helped her learn about the university's programs and resources and influenced her decision to enroll. She also learned about the opportunity to work as a student admissions ambassador, a role that has allowed Searcy to build confidence and further develop her leadership and communication skills.
"From the GDYT program, I have gained valuable hands-on experience, enhanced my professional network and developed essential skills," she said. "I would highly recommend the program for others for its comprehensive support and opportunities for personal and professional growth."