Bay Mills Community College, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal, and Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College, all tribal schools, have joined the Michigan Community College Association. The schools hope the partnership will increase enrollment and graduation rates among their communities.
The number of member schools of the Michigan Community College Association has swelled to 31 after the joining of Bay Mills Community College, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal, and Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College. These schools are all of Michigan’s tribal colleges.
Brandy Johnson, President of the Michigan Community College Association, spoke with UP Matters about the new members, saying, “Michigan’s tribal colleges will strengthen our network of community colleges. Their membership will help amplify MCCA’s impact on issues related to student success, talent development and community vitality.”
Two members of Bay Mills Community College, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal, and Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College each will sit on the board of the Michigan Community College Association and the schools will be given access to the services and programs available through the association.
Also speaking with UP Matters, Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director of Michigan College Access Network, talked about the challenges facing indigenous students. “In Michigan, an alarmingly small percentage of Native American students are enrolling, persisting and earning a certificate or degree compared to all students in the state. Tribal colleges play an invaluable role in addressing this disparity by supporting the postsecondary goals of Native American students and helping Michigan reach Sixty by 30. We are thrilled to provide grant funding to support the colleges’ MCCA membership,” said Fewins-Bliss.
Bay Mills Community College enrolls around 500 students every semester and offers a range of degree and certificate programs, including 15 associate degrees, two bachelor degrees, and 11 certificates. The school also offers an Anishinaabemowin Pane Language Immersion program.
Bay Mills Community College president Duane Bedell spoke on the school’s desire for collaboration with the MCCA through this partnership, saying, “Bay Mills Community College is excited to join the MCCA and create partnerships while collaborating with all community colleges in Michigan. Most importantly, we are excited to learn and work with our new colleagues to help our future generations become leaders in our communities and throughout our beautiful state.”