LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network is proud to announce it has received a two-year, $160,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation to fund the Kent County Attainment Accelerator, a place-based initiative designed to expand and strengthen college access and success efforts already underway across the region. By leveraging over 20 current partnerships — including key collaborators Grand Rapids Community College and Kent ISD — and building new relationships in the county, MCAN seeks to align student supports and improve college completion in the Grand Rapids area, helping more students earn degrees and certificates that lead to in-demand, well-paying jobs.
“Our investment reflects Steelcase Foundation’s focus on expanding access to high-quality learning opportunities and removing the barriers that make it harder for West Michigan students and families to navigate postsecondary pathways,” said Trudy Ngo-Brown, Steelcase Foundation director of learning and grantmaking. “Through the Kent County Attainment Accelerator, MCAN is supporting students from high school through credential completion by aligning partners across K–12, higher education, and workforce systems. We’re glad to collaborate in this effort to strengthen pathways to postsecondary success and long-term economic stability.”
Through the Kent County Attainment Accelerator, MCAN will help partners develop structured, customized plans that match their organizational strengths with regional needs. Depending on the partner, plans may include FAFSA and financial aid completion efforts, curriculum offerings, structured campaign implementation or other student supports. MCAN will provide ongoing coaching and coordination support to ensure high-quality implementation and strong collaboration across the county.
“There are groups already doing incredible work in West Michigan, and we don’t need to duplicate someone else’s efforts. We want to ensure that there’s a county-wide framework to turn regional goals into coordinated action and measurable postsecondary outcomes for students,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “Giving students the guidance and resources needed to enroll and succeed in college moves us closer to the state’s Sixty by 30 goal and strengthens the region, as more students enter the workforce with skills needed in the modern economy.”
MCAN and partners will monitor early indicators and adjust as needed to most effectively support students. The two-year Kent County Attainment Accelerator plan includes the creation of an embedded, sustainable partnership team to carry forward shared coordination and implementation momentum, with MCAN serving as an ongoing partner and support.
“Educational attainment is one of the strongest predictors of long-term success for students and the communities in which they live and work. Ensuring that every student has access to high-quality education and clear pathways to postsecondary credentials requires a coordinated, community-wide effort,” said Ron Gorman, Kent ISD superintendent. “Our district looks forward to partnering with Michigan College Access Network and the Steelcase Foundation to strengthen these pathways, align community resources, and ensure even more students successfully earn degrees and certificates.”
To view college readiness, access and success data for Kent County, visit MCAN’s Impact Map at impact.micollegeaccess.org.
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.
