The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the Michigan College Access Network awarded five "Sixty by 30" grants to grow the state's highly qualified workforce.
The Sixty by 30 program aims to have 60% of Michigan's workforce obtain a college degree or skill certificate by 2030. A total of $750,000 was awarded to five Michigan colleges to develop programs to support this goal. The five colleges selected were Henry Ford College, Mott Community College, Muskegon Community College, Oakland Community College, and Southwestern Michigan College. A competitive grant, the colleges submitted proposals to increase completion rates, particularly for new students entering or returning to college under the Future for Frontliners and Michigan Reconnect programs, both of which provide financial assistance to students.
The proposal submitted by Henry Ford College, "The First Year Experience," develops a one credit course, required for adult students, that helps connect them to college resources to encourage academic success. In an article published by WZZM 13, President of Henry Ford College, Russ Kavalhuna, said, "Henry Ford College is deeply committed to student success and the State's Sixty by 30 Goal. We meet our students where they are, help them choose the best program, and support them as they earn a degree and advance into a successful career."
The winning proposal from Mott Community College pledges to implement a strategy to provide developmental education and support systems in part through corequisite courses. Mott Community College President, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, explained in a recent news release that the grant will allow MCC to implement strategies to increase student success. "Mott Community College is grateful to receive the Michigan College Access Network grant for the work that we are doing to reform developmental education. This investment by the State of Michigan will enable us to accelerate implementation of classes and support programs designed to increase student retention and success, particularly for people of color, first-generation and at-risk students," Walker-Griffea said.
Muskegon Community College's proposal, dubbed "360° Coaching," provides a designated coach for adult students, meant to provide a single point of contact for assistance with issues inside or outside of the classroom and monitor student progress for those receiving financial assistance through the Future for Frontliners or Michigan Reconnect programs. President Dale K. Nesbary of Muskegon Community College stressed in a news release the importance of education in growing Michigan's economy. Nesbary also said, "We at Muskegon Community College are gratified to have been awarded a Sixty by 30 grant helping the state close the existing skills gap and assist in efforts to upskill our communities. We thank Gov. Whitmer for providing us the opportunity to do just that."
At Oakland Community College, the grant will fund a proposal called "Credit for Competency," which will award credit to students entering college from the workforce for their skills and experiences. OCC Chancellor Peter J. Provenzano, Jr. acknowledged in a press release that returning to school can be challenging for older students often juggling work and families along with their studies. Provenzano said, "By developing a Credit for Competency system to give them college credits for prior learning, work skills and experiences, we hope it will give them the advantage they need to earn a certificate or associate degree."
With the grant funding, Southwestern Michigan College will establish a Career Services Office to provide students with the information needed to make informed decisions about which courses will qualify them for jobs that pay a living wage. SMC President Dr. Joseph Odenwald was quoted in a press release from Governor Whimter's office as saying, "Southwestern Michigan College (SMC) is grateful for this grant from Michigan College Access Network. It will help us better fulfill our mission of providing local access to higher education and postsecondary training by helping our adult students with career counseling. This, coupled with Michigan Reconnect, Future for Frontliners, and the college's "SMC Guarantee" make SMC a great place to begin or continue studies as an adult learner this fall."
Governor Whitmer also issued a statement in the press release from her office about the way Sixty by 30 goals will be met through the grants. "These grants are essential to helping us provide Michiganders the education they need to get better-paying, high-skill jobs. Advancing higher education has been a day one priority for my administration, and the MI Reconnect and Futures for Frontliners programs help us accomplish our long-term goal of 60 by 30-ensuring 60% of Michiganders have a post-secondary degree or skills training by 2030. As we emerge from the pandemic together and continue our economic comeback, we will stay laser-focused on helping people develop solid skills so they can find good jobs for great pay."
A statement from acting Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Susan Corbin was also shared by the governor's office. In it, Corbin explains the work needed for Michigan to reach the goals of the Sixty by 30 initiative. "At our current 49.1% credential attainment rate in the state, it will take more than just tuition assistance to get us to 60% by 2030. And that's why our partnership with MCAN and the community colleges is so critical to offer an additional layer of support to help these students succeed."
An additional $20,000 grant through the Michigan College Access Network was awarded to four colleges to help fund the full-time placement of an Americorps member to act as a completion coach, a role that will work closely with first-generation and low-income students to improve program completion rates. The colleges that were awarded that grant are Lake Michigan College, Monroe County Community College, Montcalm Community College, and St. Clair County Community College.