Central Michigan University to launch Central Career Guarantee in Fall 2026

Beginning in the Fall 2026 semester, students at Central Michigan University will be able to opt into the Central Career Guarantee program, which provides students with a series of steps to complete throughout their schooling that will lead the university to guarantee they will find employment or be accepted to graduate school within six months of their CMU graduation. If the student does not, the university will provide them with $2,000. Central Michigan University is the first public university in the state of Michigan to offer such an employment or grad school guarantee following receiving their CMU degree.

According to an article on Central Michigan University's website, Jennifer DeHaemers, who serves as the university’s vice president for Student Recruitment and Retention, was quoted as saying of the new guarantee, “This is a major differentiator for CMU – a stake in the ground that proudly declares that what we do works for our students and graduates. The language of The Guarantee is new, but the student success supports and services behind the program are not. We know that increased engagement in the classroom, regular meetings with faculty instructors, academic advisors and career coaches, and frequent participation in career development activities help students land great jobs and great offers from graduate schools. With The Guarantee, we are ensuring that more CMU students are aware of and participating in everything the university has to offer.”

The Central Career Guarantee program is a promise of employment or graduate school acceptance within six months of earning a bachelor degree from the university, or the school will provide the graduate with $2,000 of financial assistance. In order to be eligible to participate in the Central Career Guarantee program, students must be incoming first-year students or returning students or domestic transfer students who have at least 60 credit hours left to complete their degree. 

Students who opt into the guarantee must complete a series of steps in order to remain eligible for the guarantee, with requirements including attendance at specified university events, meeting with advisors and career coaches, participating in development activities, and regularly attending their classes. DeHaemers noted that students will spend roughly an hour a week participating in the extra requirements for the Central Career Guarantee program. 

She also noted that students who are ineligible to participate, or choose not to participate, are still going to receive the same support, despite not being eligible for the $2,000 in financial assistance: “Every CMU student has access to the impactful resources CMU has to offer, and we hope that students who are not eligible will still choose to meet with their advisors, work with the Career Development Center, and participate in all the transformational activities available to them.”

DeHaemers explained how the Central Career Guarantee program came about, saying, “As we discussed what truly differentiated CMU from other institutions, we saw our Career Outcomes Rate as a major focus. We know that CMU prepares students for in-demand careers, and we know that prospective students are very interested in seeing the connection between a college degree and their career trajectory. Student success and support are where CMU really shines. Students participating in the Central Career Guarantee will have access to numerous academic, co-curricular and extracurricular support services. By surrounding students with the tools, resources and encouragement they need, CMU will ensure that more students stay on track to graduate and achieve their personal and professional goals.”

The university’s president, Neil MacKinnon, shared his enthusiasm for the new program. He said, “At CMU, we know that our approach to hands-on learning, leadership development and student success works. It’s why our students already enjoy a 94.3% Career Outcomes Rate, and why our alumni are leaders in their professions and in their communities. We’re confident that we offer students an exceptional education that delivers real-world results, and now we guarantee it. Nationally, there’s a question about the value of a four-year degree that stems from the misconception that college doesn’t prepare students for careers – and that simply isn’t the case here. Based on First Destination Survey results, we know that most students who graduate from CMU are employed, continuing their education or engaged in service within six months. Our mission statement says, ‘Central Michigan University is defined by the success of our students and alumni, and by our collective impact with the communities we serve. This Guarantee is an extension of that mission, demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that our students become successful alumni, serving as leaders in their professions and in their communities.”

For more information about Central Michigan University, visit the school’s website.