Muskegon Community College forms academic partnership agreement with Trinity Health
The agreement will see Trinity Health providing selected students in certain healthcare programs with up to $20,000 in tuition assistance in exchange for agreeing to work for Trinity Health for 18 months upon graduation.
Muskegon Community College and Trinity Health have formed an academic partnership agreement that will provide beneficial tuition assistance for 25 nursing students and 10 respiratory therapy students via a Tuition Assistance Program. The agreement will benefit MCC students who will be able to pursue their chosen careers at a reduced cost and it will benefit Trinity Health which will have a pipeline of well-qualified employees, as the students who participate in the program agree to work for Trinity Health for at least 18 months after graduating.
According to an article on Muskegon Community College’s website, Trinity Health Chief Nursing Officer Linda Dunmore was quoted as saying of the agreement, “By supporting the education of nursing and respiratory therapy students, we are not only investing in their future but also the future of healthcare in Muskegon County. We look forward to welcoming these talented individuals into our organization, where they will contribute to the high-quality care that Trinity Health is known for.”
The 25 nursing students and 10 respiratory therapy students will be chosen through an application process that Trinity Health will be managing. Once the students are chosen, they will receive up to $10,000 for two semesters, for a total of $20,000, that will cover core nursing programs needed for the programs. The students who participate must commit to 18 months of employment with Trinity Health after they complete their programs.
Dr. John Selmon, the president of Muskegon Community College, was quoted as saying, “This partnership with Trinity Health represents a meaningful step in addressing both the educational and workforce needs of our community. By providing financial support to our nursing and respiratory therapy students, we are not only making higher education more accessible; but also ensuring that our local healthcare system has the skilled professionals it needs to serve the Muskegon area.”
Echoing these sentiments, Lisa Gatti-Arnold, who is the Dean of Nursing and Health Programs at Muskegon Community College, said, “This agreement is a game-changer for our students. By removing financial obstacles, we’re opening the door for more individuals to pursue careers in nursing and respiratory therapy. At the same time, we’re helping meet the urgent demand for qualified healthcare professionals in our community.”
For more information about Muskegon Community College, visit the school’s website.