Southwestern Michigan College receives nursing grant from the State of Michigan’s Office of Sixty by Thirty

Southwestern Michigan College has received a substantial grant from the State of Michigan to make improvements to its Nursing program. A total of $2 million has been awarded to the school, which will be put to use over the next three years.

According to an article on Southwestern Michigan College’s website, Dr. Melissa Kennedy, who is the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Services, was quoted as saying of the grant, “This grant opportunity allows SMC to extend our vision of ‘Knowledge For All’ in a new way by offering our nursing graduates the ability to further their educational and professional careers at a more affordable cost through a local university partner.”

The goal of the funding is to create a larger pool of nurses in the state who possess a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. One aspect of the improvements being made to the program is that Southwestern Michigan College will be partnering with Andrews University to allow SMC students to be able to earn a bachelor degree. Other changes will include bolstering the recruitment of students to the program, technology upgrades, implementing a tutoring program, and providing students with advisors.

Provost of Southwestern Michigan College Dr. Dave Fleming was quoted as saying of the grant, “I am delighted that SMC has been able to create yet another way to support our local health care partners through this nursing grant."

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