LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network has awarded $150,000 in Reconnect Now Grants to 22 community colleges and workforce partners across the state. These grants will fund efforts to promote Michigan Reconnect, ensuring more adult learners are aware of and take advantage of this program and advancing Michigan’s efforts to create a skilled and resilient workforce. Grants were distributed through two unique pathways tailored to support and enhance the efforts of both community and tribal colleges, and employers, Michigan Works! Sites, and workforce and industry associations.

“Michigan Reconnect is a powerful initiative, empowering Michigan’s adult learners to revisit or seek out postsecondary education tuition-free. These students are essential to moving us closer to our Sixty by 30 goal, and it’s crucial to spread the word about Michigan Reconnect and get more adult learners on the path to and through college,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN’s executive director. “Reconnect Now! Grants provide the opportunity for community colleges to do direct outreach to qualifying students not currently enrolled in Michigan Reconnect and will support our industry partners in building a more educated workforce.”

Pathway 1 — Institutional Outreach and Support for Reconnect Eligible Students

This pathway supports community and tribal colleges as they engage and enroll students aged 21-24 who are approved for Michigan Reconnect but not currently benefiting from the program, and students aged 25 and older eligible for Michigan Reconnect but not currently participating.

Pathway 1 Awardees:

• Delta College 

• Glen Oaks Community College 

• Lake Michigan College 

• Kirtland Community College 

• Mid-Michigan College 

• Montcalm Community College 

• Mott Community College 

• Muskegon Community College 

• Schoolcraft College 

• Southwestern Michigan College 

• St. Clair County Community College

Pathway 2 — Leveraging Employers and Professional Networks to Advance Michigan Reconnect Participation and College Enrollment

This pathway aims to drive awareness, application, and enrollment in Michigan Reconnect by leveraging partnerships with employers, Michigan Works! sites, and workforce and industry associations.

Pathway 2 Awardees:

• Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation

• Detroit Regional Chamber 

• Jackson Area Manufacturer’s Association

• Southeast Michigan Works! (W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

• Michigan Health and Hospitals Association

• Northwest Michigan Works!

• Southeast Michigan Community Alliance

• St. Vincent & Sarah Fisher Center 

• TalentFirst 

• UP Michigan Works! (Upward Talent Council)

To learn more about MCAN’s grant programs, visit micollegeaccess.org/grants.

ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN)

As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. MCAN engages partners statewide who are committed to systems-level change and the reduction of barriers to increase college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color. MCAN has helped Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate increase for the 10th consecutive year. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.