Through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s King-Chávez-Parks Initiative, 19 Michigan colleges and universities have been awarded more than $2.6 million in competitive grants to support improved graduation rates and paths to K-12 teaching opportunities for academically- or economically-disadvantaged students.

“Today’s grants will help more Michiganders graduate from college,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “With investments across 19 universities, the King-Chavez-Parks Initiative helps us pursue our vision to ensure anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan, chasing their dreams and landing a good-paying, in-demand job. Together, we have taken action to lower the cost of higher education for tens of thousands of Michiganders with Reconnect and Achievement Scholarship, and we will keep working with our state and local partners to create more paths to prosperity. Let’s get it done.”

The competitive grant awards will provide funding to support up to three programs – Michigan’s Select Student Support Services Program, Michigan College/University Partnership Program and/or Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program – through 2029.

“The goal of the King-Chávez-Parks Initiative is to increase the number of academically- or economically-disadvantaged Michigan students who have the opportunity to complete a college degree,” said LEO Director Susan Corbin. “The three programs supported by these grants will help postsecondary students experience career success as active participants in a knowledge-based global economy.”

Select Student Support Services Program Awards

Created by the Michigan State Legislature in 1987, the Select Student Support Services Program is designed to develop retention programs to benefit academically- or economically-disadvantaged students enrolled at four-year public and independent educational institutions throughout Michigan.

The program aims to increase graduation rates by providing funding that will stimulate more coordinated efforts within institutions to ensure measurable short- and long-term improvement in graduation rates of targeted students.

Nineteen colleges and universities received Select Student Support Services Program funding, including:

Alma College                                             $102,796.80

Central Michigan University                   $104,270.59

Eastern Michigan University                  $101,691.46

Ferris State University                             $101,323.01

Kettering University                                 $97,638.54

Lake Superior State University              $102,796.80

Lawrence Technological University       $101,323.01

Michigan State University                        $98,743.88

Michigan Technological University        $94,322.51

Northern Michigan University                $99,849.22

Olivet College                                            $92,848.71

Oakland University                                  $94,690.96

Saginaw Valley State University             $102,796.80

University of Detroit Mercy                    $107,218.17

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor      $107,218.17

University of Michigan – Dearborn       $99,480.77

University of Michigan – Flint                $100,954.56

Western Michigan University                $106,112.82

Wayne State University                          $99,849.22

“The program’s overall goal is to increase student success and retention, to help students choose an academic major that matches their personal and professional interests, and enable them to progress to timely graduation,” said Michael Zaborowski, Ferris State’s director of academic advising. “Students will also participate in enrichment activities aimed at social integration and engagement. These activities will foster a sense of belonging and community, enhancing the overall student experience.”

Michigan College/University Partnership Program Awards

The Michigan College/University Partnership Program provides State of Michigan funding to Michigan's four-year public and independent colleges and universities to increase the number of admitted academically- or economically-disadvantaged students who transfer from community colleges into baccalaureate degree programs at four-year institutions.

The program is designed to stimulate more coordinated efforts within institutions to ensure measurable short- and long-term improvement in the students' completion of baccalaureate degrees.

The eight schools receiving Michigan College/University Partnership awards are:

Alma College                                               $72,656.46

Central Michigan University                     $76,091.13

Eastern Michigan University                    $66,843.94

Lawrence Technological University         $73,449.08

Michigan Technological University          $73,449.08

Oakland University                                     $75,562.72

University of Michigan – Ann Arbor         $77,412.16

University of Michigan – Flint                    $71,335.43

“I am passionate about this initiative because I started my college career as a community college student,” said Sibrina Collins, executive director of STEM education in Lawrence Technological University’s College of Arts and Sciences. “The Lawrence Technological University Michigan College/University Partnership STEM initiative provides unique opportunities for community college students to engage in cutting-edge research with our amazing LTU faculty. These students will be able to engage in diverse research projects such as artificial intelligence, mathematical modeling, literature, and physics.” 

Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program Awards

The Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development Program is intended to increase the number of academically- or economically-disadvantaged students who enroll in and complete K-12 teacher education programs at the baccalaureate level.

The program is designed to ensure an enduring, measurable increase in the enrollment, completion, certification and placement rate of individuals who would otherwise not adequately be represented as teaching professionals in Michigan’s K-12 classrooms.

Five schools receiving Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development funding include:

Central Michigan University                     $31,780.24

Eastern Michigan University                    $28,163.86

Lake Superior State University                $28,602.21

Saginaw Valley State University              $29,150.15

University of Michigan – Flint                  $30,903.54

"Students know that they have a dedicated staff member who will support them every step of the way," said Bianca Torbert, UM-Flint’s Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development program manager. "Program staff are in place to help students with financial aid issues, communicating with professors, and overcoming many other barriers. We are here to partner with each student as they pursue their goal to become a teacher in the Flint community schools."

Students enrolled at funded schools should contact their institution’s program administrators to learn more about eligibility and how to participate.

Institutions interested in learning more or applying for a King-Chávez-Parks Initiative Competitive Grant should contact the Program Coordinator, Joseph Baynesan, at BaynesanJ@michigan.gov or 517-930-0956.

More information about Michigan’s KCP Initiative is available at Michigan.gov/KCP.