Success Stories
Featured Scholars
| Justin & Alexis Black, Seita Scholars AlumniJustin Black is an author, speaker, and serial entrepreneur. Justin studied public relations and African studies with a focus on urban and community development as well as political and economic philosophy in countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal, and South Korea. He is a part of Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneurs for 2021. Justin and his wife, Alexis, have published an award winning, bestselling book titled Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat The Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love that has impacted over 25,000 individuals and families. In 2023, they published their second book “I Love You More Than Cereal” as a part of their children’s book series. With the Redefining Normal company, they hope to continue the conversation on healthy relationships, mental health, community growth and healing through speaking engagements, trainings, book clubs, and workshops. Alexis Black graduated from Western Michigan University with a BBA in Entrepreneurship, a BA in Global Studies and minors in Political Science and Nonprofit Leadership. She joined the Forbes Next 1000 class in 2021. With her Global Studies degree, she studied abroad eight times in countries including India, Dominican Republic, and many more. With her husband, Justin Black, she has published an award winning, bestselling book titled Redefining Normal: How Two Foster Kids Beat The Odds and Discovered Healing, Happiness and Love that has impacted over 25,000 individuals and families. With Redefining Normal, they hope to continue the conversation on healthy relationships, mental health, and healing through speaking engagements, trainings and book clubs. Alexis and Justin met at Western Michigan University, were both Seita Scholars, and are now proud parents too!
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| Tamara Toutant, Seita Scholars AlumnaTamara Toutant is the first Seita Scholar to return to the program as a Campus Coach, serving from 2018 to 2022. With a strong background of internships across campus and a graduate assistantship at WMU while earning her Master’s degree, Tamara brought her insights, creativity, and passion back to the program. She has continued to shine, making a meaningful impact and remaining dedicated to promoting student success.
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| Amanda Shelton, Seita Scholars AlumnaA recent graduate of the Seita Scholars Program, Amanda Shelton is on her way to the University of Michigan this fall to earn her Master of Social Work degree from the prestigious institution. Shelton, who graduated Western Michigan University as a Presidential Scholar in April, was featured recently in a story published by the Kalamazoo Gazette. Among her words of wisdom are the following, "You can do what you put your mind to."
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First Seita Scholar Graduate
Michael Fombang, Seita Scholars Alumni
Michael Fombang was just 12 years old and had been orphaned by war in the Democratic Republic of Congo when he fled the country in 2001 and began to work on freighters that traveled the world.
In 2005, when one of these ships docked in the Great Lakes Michael was detained by U.S. immigration authorities. He was classified as a stowaway and inadmissible to the U.S. except to pursue asylum status.
While his asylum petition was pending, Fombang, still a minor at 16, was placed in foster care in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His foster family welcomed him into their home and provided resources and encouragement.
Soon he learned English and earned his high school diploma. An aspiring doctor, he enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College, where his passion to succeed won over teachers and administrators. Sadly, Fombang's immigration status kept him from working or applying for student loans and scholarships, and medical school seemed a distant dream.
After waiting two years for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to act on his case, his foster family asked Justice for Our Neighbors for help in 2007. The JFON attorney made a successful legal argument that got the stowaway provision waived on humanitarian grounds and Michael qualified for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. JFON then spent more than a year preparing his asylum package. Finally, in 2008, his SIJS application was approved and his status adjusted to legal permanent resident.
With this status Fombang could receive the financial aid and scholarships he needed to pursue his education. He later graduated from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences. He hopes soon to pass the Medical College Admission Test and apply to medical school.
Fombang is so grateful to the many people who have helped him get to where he is today that now he feels it is his turn to give back.
From foster care to med school
Lori Higgins, Free Press Education Writer, Detroit Free Press (May 1, 2010)
Michael Fombang is grateful for the sponsor who paid for his education at Grand Valley Community College, and for a scholarship program at Western Michigan, which paid for his tuition and fees.
Now it's his turn, he says. He graduated [in May 2010] from WMU with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences. Within a year, Fombang said he hopes to pass the exam required to gain entry into medical school. He eventually wants to become a doctor.
"I have the need to help. I want to give back. I've been given a lot," Fombang said.
Fombang, 21, is the first graduate of WMU's Seita program. The program enrolls 74 students, most of them former foster care youths. About 20% are students like Fombang, who came to the U.S. as refugees.
Fombang is from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he came to the U.S. five years ago, living with a foster family in Grand Rapids. He's heading to Chicago after graduation to take a summer job. He'll also be studying for the Medical College Admission Test. He'd like to become a surgeon, but says it's possible that exposure to other specialties in medical school might turn him on to a new medical passion.
One thing that won't change is his mission to give back.
"I don't want to disappoint."
Seita Scholars Legacy: Inspiring the Next Generation
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