MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. At the Mackinac Policy Conference this week, Level Up Michigan! (LUM!) announced the launch of its statewide “Share the Good News” campaign. The effort is simple in message and urgent in scale: Michigan already funds two years of tuition-free community college for eligible residents, and fewer than one in three people in the state know it exists.
The Community College Guarantee covers recent high school graduates. Michigan Reconnect covers adults 25 and older who never completed a degree. Together, the two programs offer universal access to postsecondary education, including a certified job skill, an associate degree, or the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. No other Great Lakes state provides this level of access.
“Too many Michiganders don’t earn middle-class incomes and too many of our businesses can’t find the skilled workers they need. Two years of tuition free college and job skill training is an answer, and our mission is to make sure every resident of our great state knows about it.” Kevin Stotts, CEO, Talent First
The awareness gap is not a minor oversight. It is a structural failure with real economic consequences. Under Governors of both parties, Michigan has seen its per capita income rank fall from 19th to 40th. The share of high school graduates going on to college has dropped from 66 percent in 2015 to 56 percent today. Michigan ranks 37th nationally in the share of adults holding a college credential.
“Michigan already has a significant advantage in offering tuition-free community college. The challenge now is making sure people know about it and take advantage of it.” Sandy Baruah, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber
Level Up Michigan! is not a government program. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of business, education, labor, and policy leaders who believe that closing the awareness gap is a shared civic responsibility. The “Share the Good News” campaign asks every organization in Michigan, including businesses, unions, schools, faith communities, chambers of commerce, and government agencies, to reach their employees, members, students, and neighbors directly.
“At its core, this is about helping people understand and access the pathways and resources that are already available to them. We’ve made the investment. Now we need to make sure every Michigander has the opportunity to benefit from it.” State Senator Sarah Anthony
The campaign launched at Mackinac because the Mackinac Policy Conference draws the exact cross-section of leaders whose participation is essential to closing the gap. The message is designed to travel through trusted community voices.
“When employers, communities and schools all carry the same message, that free college exists and it’s for you, it stops feeling like a program and starts feeling like a future. That culture shift is what we’re after.” Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network
“Michigan’s educators are ready to meet this moment. Every student who walks through the doors of a community college is a student who stays in Michigan, builds a career here, and strengthens our communities. The Michigan Education Association is proud to help make sure every family knows this opportunity exists.” Chandra Madafferi, President, Michigan Education Association
If you’re a resident: check eligibility and get started at michigan.gov/mistudentaid. If you’re an employer/partner organization: visit levelupmi.org to download the toolkit and share the message with your employees/members
Michigan has always built advantage from its assets. From the Great Lakes to the assembly line, this state has turned what it was given into something greater. Universal access to two years of tuition-free community college is the next structural advantage. A natural advantage unused becomes an advantage surrendered.
