The $13.7 million federal grant will allow the university to support middle schoolers from five districts in the state as they finish their secondary education and pursue college enrollment.
Western Michigan University has received $13.7 million in federal grant funding from the US Department of Education to provide college readiness support for middle schoolers from five Michigan school districts. The university will provide sixth and seventh grade students from Bangor Public Schools, Bloomingdale Public Schools, Comstock Public Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, and Parchment School District with programming like summer camps, tutoring, financial literacy classes, and more to help them stay on track to receive their high school diploma and have the desire to continue their education by attending college.
According to an article on Western Michigan University’s website, Dr. Erika Carr, who serves as the director of precollege programming at the university, will be the principal investigator of the grant. She was quoted as saying of the receipt of the grant funding, “These grants are extremely competitive, and we were up against universities and school districts from all over the country. We demonstrated that we had a high need and that Western will be meeting those needs through a comprehensive plan for learning experiences that support students’ academic growth, engagement and long-term success."
Joining Carr on the project will be professor emeritus Dr. Joe Kretovics, professor of evaluation, measurement and research Dr. Brooks Applegate, and professor emeritus Dr. Joseph R. Morris. As part of the project, Dr. Morris will provide the socioemotional and behavioral health training for the approximately 30 undergraduate WMU students who will be counseling interns and Dr. Applegate will lead the evaluation of the success of the initiative.
Dr. Kristen Salomonson, who serves as the university’s associate vice president of enrollment management, said, "We’re incredibly proud of Dr. Carr and her team for receiving this highly competitive GEAR UP award. The Office of Precollege Programming’s commitment to creating pathways to higher education is exceptional and will be enhanced by this $13.7 million investment from the U.S. Department of Education. The award will boost WMU’s contribution to college readiness in the region and support students from middle school and beyond."
Beginning this fall, approximately 2,590 sixth and seventh graders from Bangor Public Schools, Bloomingdale Public Schools, Comstock Public Schools, Kalamazoo Public Schools, and Parchment School District will become the first cohort of students who will take part in the college readiness initiative. These students will be followed through the rest of their middle school and high school journey, all the way through their first year of college, to provide them with support and resources.
Students will attend summer bridge programs and financial literacy courses, receive tutoring, and learn about post-secondary options, including community college, university, and trade schools. The program is designed to grow with the students, so initial stages of a cohort will work toward success in their current schooling, and later stages will focus on guiding students toward college or trade school. In addition to programming for the students, families of the involved students will also be able to attend financial literacy courses and college preparation workshops alongside their kids.
Russ Kavalhuna, the president of Western Michigan University, said of the grant, “Western Michigan University is excited to expand our reach to help Michigan’s middle schoolers build the skills and confidence to recognize the proven value of a degree long before they arrive on a college campus. This federal investment underscores our commitment to student success. It will allow us to provide research-based support, strengthen readiness for high school and empower students to see themselves not only graduating but also prepared to thrive in college.”
For more information about Western Michigan University, visit the school’s website.