Community Education Headlines Local News Statewide News

Statewide educational programs opening doors of opportunity for local students

Video by Anthony Davis

Written by Tanya Terry

It’s a fact. Many students who started college never finished.

In fact, according to educationdata.org, as of June 20, 2021, in the United States, the overall dropout rate for undergraduate college students was 40%, with approximately 30% of college freshman dropping out before their sophomore year.

In Michigan, one in four adults have some college credits but no degree, according to Bridge Michigan, a nonprofit news source.

But, the state of Michigan has made an intentional effort to change these statistics for frontline workers, as well as other adults 25 and older. Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently visited Mott Community College (MCC) in Flint to talk about how these efforts are going so far-and how she and others hope to build on two program’s success.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

Over 85,000 Michiganders have already been accepted in the Futures for Frontliners program, created last year to put those who served on the front lines of the pandemic on a tuition free path to higher education or skills trade.  Over 15,000 frontline workers are currently enrolled in classes through the program. Recently, Whitmer proposed the state use $100 million to fully fund the program so that two years would be fully funded for college students in the program.

In February this year, the Michigan Reconnect Program was launched, making an associate degree or skill certificate tuition free for Michiganders who are 25 and older who have a high school diploma or equivalency.  Navigators provide one-on-one support to Reconnect students. In the past five months, nearly 75,000 residents have applied for this program.

MCC was awarded $138,000 to help make sure students earn the degree, diploma or certificate they have set out to earn.

President of Mott Community College (MCC) Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea said she was pleased to acknowledge the important investments the governor has made to our future in Michigan with the two educational programs.

President of Mott Community College (MCC) Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea

“The Future for Frontliners program recognizes and rewards the commitments of frontline workers during the pandemic with free tuition to attend community college,” Walker-Griffea said. “We’re just so happy that they were on the job from the very beginning, when we needed them most, going to work every day in an essential industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

According to Walker-Griffea, more than 600 frontline workers have already taken six or more credit hours, working on academic credentials that will prepare them for the 21st century job market. They went MCC to pursue a variety of degree programs, including health sciences, business and computer technology.

“More than half of our students with this Frontliners program are coming back to school, taking 18-22 credits,” Walker-Griffea said. “That means that at some point of their education, for some point, that it was interrupted for work or for family or for other reasons. The Futures for Frontliners program is enabling them to step back, come to college, finish that degree and get a good, high paying wage.”

Walker-Griffea thanked the governor for the investment she has made to help ensure that by the year 2030 60% of the state’s adult population has a post secondary certificate or degree.

Some of the many Mott students helped by the Future for Frontliners shared their stories.

47-year-old Erica Abdelhak is currently working for the Genesee Intermediate School District as a Successful Kids = Involved Parents (SKIP) home visitor, the same position she held in the pandemic. She is studying early childhood education at MCC. She began working on her degree in 1993 at Mott after graduation from Lapeer East High School. However, she married, moved away, and did not finish her degree. After her divorce, she reenrolled but did not qualify for any financial help. As a single mother who could not afford college, she dropped out-again. After qualifying for the Futures for Frontliners program, Abdelhak is now hoping to obtain her bachelor’s degree in order to qualify for promotion within the GISD and to continue to positivity impact children and families.

Erica Abdelhak

During the pandemic, 26-year-old Brandon Wesley worked as a medical assistant at Hamilton Community Health Network. Right out of high school, he attended the University of Michigan-Flint, but he “stepped out of” higher education to work full time. He is now pursuing his nursing degree at MCC, with the ultimate goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. Also, in two weeks, he will start a new job at Mott Children’s Health Center. Wesley said the Future for Frontliners program was the deciding factor for him to return to college.

Brandon Wesley

Whitmer said while Michiganders plan for a fun summer, we also have a lot to look forward to as we look at the future of our state, the future of our frontliners and the future of our economy.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer

“Right now we have an unprecedented opportunity to use federal stimulus dollars and a $3.5 billion surplus here in Michigan to make some lasting, transformative investments in Michigan’s families, small businesses and communities,” she said.

According to Whitmer, in addition to the two educational programs, the Economic Jumpstart Plan boosts wages to at least $15 per hour by giving businesses grants to cover the difference between their wage and the $15 hourly for three months. The plan also invests $1.4 billion in the childcare industry to pay providers and childcare professionals more, to make 150,000 more kids eligible for low or no cost childcare and to expand support for student parents. For small businesses, grants of up to $20,000 will be made available according to the plan. These funds can be used for mortgage, rent, payroll or operating expenses.

“Michigan doesn’t thrive if the people of Michigan don’t thrive,” Whitmer said.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley spoke, saying he was very grateful to God for having a college like Mott right in the city of Flint. He said he was a proud graduate of community college himself.

Mayor Sheldon Neeley

Director of Admissions at MCC Regina Broomfield said Futures for Frontliners is available for students with or without a high school diploma or college degree. Students can pursue an associate degree or skill certificate on a full time or part time basis, while continuing to work. Those without a high school diploma or equivalency are eligible for services though MCC’s Workforce and Economic Development Division to help them prepare for and complete this credential and then continue on to a community college or training program.

“The possibility for Futures for Frontliners means no one is left out or left behind,” Broomfield said.

Director of Admissions at MCC Regina Broomfield

It is possible to sign up to take classes for the Michigan Reconnect Program this fall, and personal support services are also available at Mott.

For details on the Michigan Reconnect Program, visit Michigan.gov/reconnect. For information on Mott Community College, visit mcc.edu, or call (810) 762-0200.

 

Related posts

Free fishing weekend takes place June 12-13

Tanya

WFLT 1420 AM

Tanya

‘Largest blight elimination plan region has seen’ announced

Tanya

Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More