LANSING, Mich. — Through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s King-Chávez-Parks Initiative, 19 Michigan colleges and universities, including the University of Michigan-Flint have been awarded more than $2.6 million in competitive grants to support improved graduation rates and paths to K-12 teaching opportunities for academically- or economically-disadvantaged students.
“Today’s grants will help more Michiganders graduate from college,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “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. Together, we have taken action to lower the cost of higher education for tens of thousands of Michiganders with Reconnect and Achievement Scholarship, and we will keep working with our state and local partners to create more paths to prosperity. Let’s get it done.”
The competitive grant awards will provide funding to support 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.
“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,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin.
Corbin added: “The three programs supported by these grants will help postsecondary students experience career success as active participants in a knowledge-based global economy.”
Select Student Support Services Program Awards
Created by the Michigan State Legislature in 1987, the Select Student Support Services Program is designed to develop retention programs to benefit academically- or economically-disadvantaged students enrolled at four-year public and independent educational institutions throughout Michigan.
The program aims to increase graduation rates by providing funding that will stimulate more coordinated efforts within institutions to ensure measurable short and long-term improvement in graduation rates of targeted students.
Nineteen colleges and universities received Select Student Support Services Program funding, University of Michigan – Flint received $100,954.56 through this program.
Michigan College/University Partnership Program Awards
The Michigan College/University Partnership Program provides State of Michigan funding to 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 program is designed to stimulate more coordinated efforts within institutions to ensure measurable short- and long-term improvement in the students’ completion of baccalaureate degrees.
Eight schools are receiving Michigan College/University Partnership awards. University of Michigan – Flint is receiving $71,335.43 through this program.
Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program Awards
The Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program is intended to increase the number of academically- or economically-disadvantaged students who enroll in and complete K-12 teacher education programs at the baccalaureate level.
The program is designed to ensure an enduring, measurable increase in the enrollment, completion, certification and placement rate of individuals who would otherwise not adequately be represented as teaching professionals in Michigan’s K-12 classrooms.
Five schools are receiving Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development funding. University of Michigan – Flint is being awarded $30,903.54 through this grant.
“Students know that they have a dedicated staff member who will support them every step of the way,” said Bianca Torbert, UM-Flint’s Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development program manager.
Torbert added: “Program staff are in place to help students with financial aid issues, communicating with professors, and overcoming many other barriers. We are here to partner with each student as they pursue their goal to become a teacher in the Flint community schools.”
Students enrolled at funded schools should contact their institution’s program administrators to learn more about eligibility and how to participate.
More information about Michigan’s KCP Initiative is available at Michigan.gov/KCP.
