Grand Rapids, Mich.-The Higher Education workgroup of the Growing Michigan Together Council is holding a field hearing from 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 at Grand Valley State University’s Health Campus  The community is invited to tune in to the field hearing via live stream.

The field hearing will allow experts to answer questions and share data, policy solutions, and lessons learned from across the state and country for workgroup members’ consideration as they prepare to share recommendations with the Growing Michigan Together Council in October. 

Experts participating in the Higher Education field hearing include Ollie Howie, managing director of the New Community Transformation Fund; Michelle Miller-Adams, a senior researcher with the Upjohn Institute; John C. Kennedy, president and CEO of Autocam Medical; and others.

“Ensuring college is affordable and accessible in Michigan isn’t just about creating opportunities for our students; it’s about securing our state’s future,” said Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe. “We want our students to see Michigan community colleges and universities as great pathways to future success, then choose to stay in Michigan for work after graduation. Investing in higher education is an investment in our state’s talent pool, economic growth and prosperity.”

The Growing Michigan Together Council includes four workgroups: 1) Infrastructure, 2) Jobs, Talent and Economy, 3) PreK-12 Education and 4) Higher Education. The workgroup members were selected among hundreds of highly qualified candidates to represent diversity among Michiganders broadly and aim to encourage a bipartisan voice to make meaningful recommendations for the state’s future. 

The Higher Education workgroup is charged with proposing long-term, sustainable and equitable funding solutions for Michigan’s postsecondary education system, including financial aid. The workgroup will consider the need to improve college access and success, lower costs, provide education and training that meets the state’s economy’s demands, and build on existing efforts within the Office of Sixy by 30.

Ferris State University President Dr. Bill Pink and Henry Ford College President Russell Kavalhuna lead the Higher Education workgroup. A complete list of workgroup members can be found here. 

To learn more about Growing Michigan or to submit feedback, please visit growingmichigan.org.

###

# # #