Grant Supports CMU's Mission to Provide Accessible Education for Michigan’s Workforce

CMU's Online Program Expansion to Address State's Skill Development Needs

The recent educational initiative launched by Central Michigan University (CMU) aims to provide individuals with better job opportunities, and higher earnings, and contribute to Michigan's economic development and social well-being. The Michigan Legislature has allocated $822,497 to support CMU's Innovation and Online program, which will help more working-age Michigan residents obtain post-high school credentials. This grant follows a previous $75,000 Quick Start grant awarded to CMU to assess the state’s skill development needs and evaluate student experiences in CMU's online programs.

The new grant will allow CMU to partner with Lansing Community College to create flexible educational programs that will enable students to enroll in courses at both institutions. However, online students have unique needs compared to traditional students attending the university’s main campus. These students tend to be older, with the average age of an undergraduate online student being approximately 33 years old and the average age of a graduate student around 36 years old. Most are already employed and seek additional education to enhance their professional qualifications.

Moreover, more than 80% of the over 4,000 students enrolled in CMU’s online programs reside in Michigan. These students are spread across the state, with 31% living in metro Detroit, 14% in the Lansing area, 13% in Grand Rapids, 12% in the Great Lakes Bay Region, and 11% in northern Michigan and the remainder of the students live out of state. Kaleb Patrick, the interim vice president of Innovation and Online at CMU, expressed enthusiasm about the grant, noting that it will help working-age Michiganders achieve their educational and career goals. He emphasized the expanded collaboration with Lansing Community College and the potential for future partnerships with other community colleges to provide students with the credentials they need to thrive in Michigan's knowledge-based economy.

CMU also supports Michigan's "Sixty by 30" initiative, which aims to increase the percentage of adults with a post-high school credential to 60% by 2030. Currently, 51.1% of Michiganders hold such credentials and Patrick added that the development of flexible, in-demand credentials, which build on students' professional experiences, will help them acquire new skills and achieve further professional growth. The $822,497 grant will help enhance educational opportunities for working-age Michiganders, aligning with the state's goal of increasing post-high school credentials. This initiative will provide flexible, career-focused programs that will benefit both local communities and Michigan's economy.

Editor's Note:

The recent grant awarded to Central Michigan University's Innovation and Online program marks an important step toward improving access to post-high school education for working-age Michiganders. By focusing on flexibility and career-oriented credentials, this initiative will not only improve job prospects for individuals but also contribute to the broader economic development and social well-being of Michigan. 

Skoobuzz acknowledges the significance of this initiative in providing Michiganders the opportunity to enhance their skills and advance their careers.