Michael Copeland, De'Antae Ware, and Student Authors Celebrate the Release of Transforming Through College: Stories of Growth and Grit

Some books are written to entertain. Others are written to educate. But every so often, a book is created to transform lives, not only for the people who read it, but for the people courageous enough to write it.

That is exactly what happened with the release of Transforming Through College: Stories of Growth and Grit, a powerful new anthology edited and written by Dr. Michael Copeland in partnership with De'Antae Ware, featuring the inspiring voices of first-time student authors who chose to share their personal journeys of perseverance, resilience, healing, and hope.

What makes this project especially remarkable is that it began not in a publishing house, but inside a classroom. Since February 2026, Dr. Copeland has worked alongside these emerging authors week after week, helping them discover their voices, strengthen their writing, and transform personal experiences into stories that now have the power to impact readers around the world.

For many of these students, this marks their first time becoming published authors—a milestone that represents far more than seeing their names in print. It represents courage, vulnerability, and the willingness to tell stories that others may have never had the confidence to share.

Throughout the journey, students participated in collaborative writing workshops, editing sessions, networking opportunities, author coaching, and educational webinars designed to prepare them not only to publish a book but to become confident storytellers.

“This project became so much more than writing,” said Dr. Michael Copeland. “It became a community. It became healing. It became a transformation. Watching these students grow in confidence and embrace the power of their voices has been one of the greatest honors of my career.”

The anthology features an extraordinary collection of student authors whose stories reflect the many realities of the college experience and the resilience required to overcome adversity.

Featured authors

• Dr. Michael Copeland

• De'Antae Ware, MBA

• Ashley Rodriguez

• Gordon Rowa

• Ewe Ofrenda

• David Abreu

• Cemyra Stanley

• Damaris Abreu

• Israa Alhashal

• Mishauna Whiting

• Earl Roberts III

Each chapter offers a unique perspective on perseverance, identity, faith, healing, education, leadership, and personal growth. Together, these stories create a moving portrait of students who refused to let obstacles define their futures.

Special recognition belongs to De'Antae Ware, whose vision and unwavering commitment to student success helped bring this anthology to life. As a dedicated leader and advocate for higher education, Ware believed that students deserved the opportunity not only to earn degrees but also to leave behind a lasting legacy through their stories.

His investment in these students extended far beyond academics, creating an environment where they could develop confidence, embrace vulnerability, and recognize the value of their lived experiences.

Dr. Copeland praised Ware's leadership, saying:

“This project would not have been possible without De'Antae's vision, encouragement, and belief in what these students could accomplish. His passion for student success is evident in everything he does, and it has been an absolute privilege to partner with him.”

For Dr. Copeland, this publication also represents another significant milestone in his literary career. Transforming Through College: Stories of Growth and Grit is his second published anthology, further advancing his mission of helping individuals transform their experiences into stories that educate, encourage, and inspire. Through his work as an author, speaker, educator, and founder of Copeland Consults LLC, Dr. Copeland has coached numerous aspiring authors through the writing and publishing process while championing literacy, education, and personal development.

At its heart, this anthology reminds readers that success is rarely a straight path. It is often built through setbacks, second chances, difficult conversations, faith, perseverance, and the courage to continue moving forward.

Join the official book launch celebration

Readers, supporters, family members, educators, and community leaders are invited to celebrate this incredible achievement during the official book launch.

Book launch event:

Wednesday, July 22

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Cuyahoga Community College – Metropolitan Campus

Cleveland, Ohio

The event will feature opportunities to meet the new student authors, celebrate their accomplishments, hear about their writing journeys, and purchase signed copies of the anthology.

Congratulations to every student author who courageously shared their story with the world. This accomplishment is only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting literary journey.

Available now on Amazon

Purchase your copy today and support these remarkable new authors.

Transforming Through College: Stories of Growth and Grit is more than a collection of stories; it is a testament to resilience, growth, hope, and the extraordinary things that happen when people believe in themselves and invest in the potential of others.