The federally funded Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund has awarded $14 million to OCC to distribute directly to students enrolled in the fall and winter semesters. Administrators say that, combined with other recent federal and state programs, college is becoming more accessible.

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund awarded Northern Michigan University a $194,421 grant to fund a project exploring the creation of infrastructure to process and distribute food to Marquette and Alger Counties in an effort to relieve food insecurity issues in the region.

Enrollment at Monroe County Community College increased this year by 11.2 percent with administrators crediting two State of Michigan programs which are providing financial assistance for college as part of the government response to COVID-19.

The Joint Nursing Education Pathway will allow students to earn both an associate and a bachelor degree in nursing through a three step program between Mid Michigan College and Central Michigan University, and aims to help relieve a nursing shortage in the region.

Members of the MSU community now have access to a platform which connects users to area providers of mental health services through a partnership with ThrivingCampus.

DENSO North America Foundation awarded a $28,900 grant to Lake Michigan College to help fund the new Weekly Opportunity Workshop to take place at the Fab Lab, aimed at providing community members access to learn about techniques of advanced manufacturing.

At Raleigh J. Finkelstein Hall, GRCC students can now access multiple student services, including admissions, financial aid, and student records, in one office. The move is designed to make navigating college easier, particularly for first-generation college students.

A new trade education center is being built to educate and train students interested in the field of construction. The West Michigan Construction Institute is expected to be completed by December 2021 and welcome its first students in January 2022.

Hilltopper Hall and Chick-fil-A join the Fresh Food Company in being the three restaurants on WKU's campus that have received Level One Certified Green Restaurant status from the Green Restaurant Association.

University of Kentucky Solar Car Team earned first place in the solar-powered car race in August, the first time in the team's 22-year history.