(The Center Square) – Nineteen Michigan colleges and universities have been awarded more than $2.6 million to improve graduation rates and K-12 teaching opportunities for academically- or economically-disadvantaged students.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s King-Chávez-Parks Initiative will fund up to three programs – Michigan’s Select Student Support Services Program, Michigan College/University Partnership Program and/or Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program – through 2029.
“Today’s grants will help more Michiganders graduate from college,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “With investments across 19 universities, the King-Chavez-Parks Initiative helps us pursue our vision to ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan, chasing their dreams and landing a good-paying, in-demand job.”
Created by the Legislature in 1987, the Select Student Support Services Program aims to develop retention programs to benefit academically- or economically-disadvantaged students enrolled at four-year public and independent educational institutions.
The program aims to increase graduation rates by stimulating more coordinated efforts within institutions to ensure measurable short- and long-term improvement in graduation rates of targeted students.
“The goal of the King-Chávez-Parks Initiative is to increase the number of academically- or economically-disadvantaged Michigan students who have the opportunity to complete a college degree,” LEO Director Susan Corbin said in a statement. “The three programs supported by these grants will help postsecondary students experience career success as active participants in a knowledge-based global economy.”
Nineteen colleges and universities received SSSSP funding, including:
Alma College $102,796.80Central Michigan University $104,270.59Eastern Michigan University $101,691.46Ferris State University $101,323.01Kettering University $97,638.54Lake Superior State University $102,796.80Lawrence Technological University $101,323.01Michigan State University $98,743.88Michigan Technological University $94,322.51Northern Michigan University $99,849.22Olivet College $92,848.71Oakland University $94,690.96Saginaw Valley State University $102,796.80University of Detroit Mercy $107,218.17University of Michigan – Ann Arbor $107,218.17University of Michigan – Dearborn $99,480.77University of Michigan – Flint $100,954.56Western Michigan University $106,112.82Wayne State University $99,849.22
The Michigan College/University Partnership Program funds Michigan’s four-year public and independent colleges and universities to increase the number of admitted academically- or economically-disadvantaged students who transfer from community colleges into baccalaureate degree programs at four-year institutions.
The eight schools receiving Michigan College/University Partnership awards are:
Alma College $72,656.46Central Michigan University $76,091.13Eastern Michigan University $66,843.94Lawrence Technological University $73,449.08Michigan Technological University $73,449.08Oakland University $75,562.72University of Michigan – Ann Arbor $77,412.16University of Michigan – Flint $71,335.43
The Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program aims to increase the number of academically- or economically-disadvantaged students who enroll in and complete K-12 teacher education programs at the baccalaureate level.
Five schools receiving Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development funding include:
Central Michigan University $31,780.24Eastern Michigan University $28,163.86Lake Superior State University $28,602.21Saginaw Valley State University $29,150.15University of Michigan – Flint $30,903.54
