GRAYLING — Kirtland Community College and Central Michigan University announced a new partnership on March 4, 2026, to expand transfer opportunities and simplify the path to a bachelor’s degree. The collaboration, established in Grayling, Mich., is supported by a $650,000 state grant aimed at making higher education more affordable.
The initiative utilizes Central Michigan University’s Central Bound program to provide coordinated academic advising and aligned course offerings. This system allows Kirtland students to build a foundation for their intended majors while completing initial coursework at the community college.
The $650,000 Accelerate Grant was awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP). This funding is part of a broader Student Success Grants portfolio that supports evidence-based strategies to improve student persistence and clarify academic pathways. These efforts are designed to advance Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal, which seeks to increase postsecondary credential attainment among working-age adults to 60% by 2030.
The partnership specifically targets post-traditional students in communities that lack direct access to a four-year university. Many of these learners remain place-bound due to work, family or financial commitments. By enrolling at both institutions simultaneously, Kirtland students can schedule courses flexibly and share academic planning with CMU staff.
Kaleb Patrick, vice president of CMU Online, explained that the expanded program addresses the challenges students face when navigating different school systems. “Too many students lose time or momentum while trying to balance coursework across institutions,” Patrick said. “By expanding Central Bound, we are building a more student-centered experience that supports persistence, keeps credits moving and helps learners across Michigan stay on track for degrees with both institutions.”
Central Michigan University is designated as an Opportunity College under the Carnegie Classification. This status reflects the university’s focus on expanding educational access and supporting career outcomes for its graduates. The partnership allows students to start their education at Kirtland and move toward a CMU bachelor’s degree with reduced transfer friction.
John Thiel serves as the vice president of academic affairs at Kirtland Community College. He noted that the collaboration provides a clear starting point for local students. “This partnership reinforces the fact that a student can start their postsecondary journey at Kirtland Community College and transfer on to Central Michigan University to continue their studies toward a limitless future,” Thiel said.
Additional details about the partnership, including enrollment information and specific advising opportunities, will be shared as implementation moves forward.