Central Michigan University receives grant from Michigan Department of Education

Central Michigan University is the recipient of a $15 million grant from the Michigan Department of Education that is seeking to address the shortage of teachers in rural communities. By establishing the Michigan Consortium for Addressing Rural Education Expansion and Retention Resource Hub, the university hopes it will make a positive change.

According to an article on Central Michigan University’s website, Bob Davies, who is the president of Central Michigan University, address the grant funding and what the university will do to put it to use, saying, “At CMU, we measure our success by the impact we have on the people and communities we serve, and serving rural communities throughout the state is a key component of the university’s strategic plan. Hundreds of educators and thousands of students will benefit from the short- and long-term outcomes of this project. Our university was founded to help meet the state’s need for educators, and we are continuing that legacy today through the MiCAREER Resource Hub.”

The co-principal investigators of the grant are Paula Lancaster, who is the dean of the College of Education and Human Resources, and Jillian Davidson, who is the director of clinical experiences in the College of Education and Human Services. Lancaster will be instrumental in setting up the MiCAREER hub, and Davidson will take over in the routine daily operations of the hub when it is ready to go. Kathryn Dirkin, Gregg Dionne, Tracy Donohue, and Troy Hicks are other Central Michigan University faculty members who will have a hand in the project.

The MiCAREER hub will serve as a home base for teacher certifications and credentialing and will provide professional development opportunities for free. Future teachers will be able to access the hub resources, as well as current facility members in rural schools who are not yet certified. 

Lancaster explained the need for this type of resource, saying, “The need to attract, develop, and retain educators in rural regions is crucial for the health and well-being of children, families, communities, and our state. We are proud to lead collaborative efforts and build a truly unique consortium of educator preparation programs and preschool-12 school districts that will address the persistent problem of educator shortages in rural communities across our state.”

Michael F. Rice, State Superintendent of the Michigan Department of Education, was quoted as saying, “Our rural school districts have faced a shortage of certified teachers because they are not located close to universities and colleges with educator licensing programs. Providing a no-cost credentialing hub will remove barriers to educator certificates for people who have talent and a passion for education but have not become certified due to geography and cost.”

Central Michigan University will be partnering with other institutions and school districts to construct and implement the MiCAREER hub, including universities and rural community schools. Development of the hub is expected to begin in April.

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