LANSING — The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP) announced nearly $10 million in College Success Grants to support Michigan colleges and universities in enhancing credential attainment and improving student persistence. Some of them are in our area.
According to a Dec. 19 news release, MiLEAP said the College Success Grants are part of a $45 million Student Success Grants initiative, which aims to increase success rates at Michigan’s community and tribal colleges.
“Every student in Michigan deserves the opportunity to complete their education and pursue a rewarding career,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP.
She emphasized that these grants help institutions implement evidence-based practices that facilitate credential attainment and contribute to a stronger workforce.
A total of 22 colleges and universities received funding in cycles three and four of the initiative. The institutions supported in Cycle three include Petoskey’s North Central Michigan College, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University and others.
Cycle four includes Central Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and other notable schools. These grants support initiatives such as enhanced advising and support services, accelerated course pathways, prior learning assessments, gateway course redesign, student success centers and career readiness programs.
“These grants represent a meaningful investment in the success of Michigan’s students and institutions,” said Sarah Szurpicki, deputy director of MiLEAP’s Office of Higher Education. “By scaling evidence-based practices and supporting innovative strategies, these awards help colleges and universities strengthen student pathways and improve persistence.”
The aim of the initiative aligns with the state’s Sixty by 30 goal, which seeks to increase the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary credential to 60% by the year 2030.
Cycle 3 Institutions
- Bay College
- Delta College
- Ferris State University
- Grand Valley State University
- Lansing Community College
- Macomb Community College
- Muskegon Community College
- North Central Michigan College
- Northern Michigan University
- Oakland Community College
- University of Michigan—Ann Arbor
Cycle 4 Institutions
- Bay Mills Community College
- Central Michigan University
- Eastern Michigan University
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Lake Michigan College
- Lake Superior State University
- Michigan Association of State Universities
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
- Washtenaw Community College
- Wayne State University
- Western Michigan University