Northwestern Michigan College receives grants to pilot NoMi Attainment Collaborative

Northwestern Michigan College has received state grant funding in the amount of $1.19 million to run a pilot of its new initiative the NoMi Attainment Collaborative. The NoMi Attainment Collaborative aims to help adult learners earn college degrees and credentials through increased nontraditional education pathways. The grant funding comes via the state of Michigan’s Sixty by 30 initiative, which is striving to have 60% of Michigan’s working-age population to have acquired a college degree or certification by the year 2030.

According to an article on Northwestern Michigan College’s website, Lisa Schut, who serves as the regional director at Northwest Michigan Works!, was quoted as saying of the grant funding, “This grant will empower more people to achieve industry-recognized credentials and degrees, opening doors to stable, high-wage careers. By providing personalized support and breaking down barriers to education and employment, we are strengthening our workforce, expanding the middle class, and fostering long-term economic growth in northern Michigan.”

The NoMi Attainment Collaborative pilot program officially started accepting students on May 29, 2025. Currently, the collaborative is made up of more than 20 members, and is led by Northwestern Michigan College and Northwest Michigan Works!. The member organizations are 20 Fathoms, BEST Benzie County (LCAN), BATA, Century & Clark, Char Em ISD, Davenport University, Goodwill Northern Michigan, Grand Traverse County, Grand Valley State University, GROW Benzie, Manistee County Community Foundation, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Michigan College Access Network, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, North Central Michigan College, Networks Northwest, Northwest Education Services, Northwest Michigan Works!, Northwestern Michigan College, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers, Traverse Connect, United Way, and West Shore Community College.

The goal of the pilot program, which will run from 2025 to 2028, is to get degrees and certificates into the hands of at least 2,344 more residents of Northern Michigan. Under the guidance of grant-funded navigators, individuals will be able to try out different programs in different industries to determine what will be the best fit for them.

Explaining this process, Laura Stevens Matchett, the director of NMC Extended Education and Training, said, “You can start small and follow your curiosity; dip your toes in welding, construction technology, health care, IT or more, without committing to a semester-long class.”

As the program seeks to help community members enhance their skills and education in order to receive higher wages, broaden the middle class, and contribute to the region’s economy, member organizations of the collaborative have agreed to put students’ needs first and will refer students to different programs throughout the collective’s 10-county area of Antrim, Benzie, Emmet, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, and Wexford.

Northwestern Michigan College’s President Nick Nissley said, “This collaboration is a powerful example of what happens when we imagine more for our region: more opportunity, more access, and more futures unlocked. Together, we’re building a community where learning truly lasts a lifetime.”

Individuals interested in pursuing training through the pilot program will be paired with a navigator who will help them determine what programs or classes the student would like to explore.

For more information about Northwestern Michigan College, visit the school’s website.