04 August 2011
August 4, 2011 – Lansing, MI – The Michigan College Access Network(MCAN) is pleased to announce the Greater Albion College Access Network has received a $50,000 Startup grant to begin implementation of its college access strategy.
Local college access networks coordinate programs, services and resources that lower the barriers preventing students, particularly low-income and/or first-generation, from pursuing postsecondary educational opportunities. Leaders in education, the nonprofit sector, business, government and philanthropy work together to design a local strategy to foster a college-going culture and dramatically increase the college participation and completion rates.
“This grant is a huge boost to our efforts to improve college access in our community. The funding will help network partners develop a variety of support systems and programs to ensure students and adult learners succeed,” stated Elizabeth Schultheiss, executive director of the Albion Community Foundation.
Greater Albion CAN will serve the greater Albion area, with a focus on the boundaries of the Albion Public School District. It is the Greater Albion CAN’s goal to increase the college participation and completion rate for greater Albion area residents, particularly among low-income and/or first-generation college students of all ages, by providing a comprehensive continuum of college preparation, access and awareness services.
“Local college access networks play a critical role in helping build and sustain a vibrant economy in Michigan,” said Brandy Johnson, director of the Michigan College Access Network. “By developing a local network, the community works together in identifying current assets and gaps to ensure they are building a strong and highly successful college access strategy.”
Currently, 35.6 percent of Michigan’s 25 to 64 year olds possess at least an associate’s degree, ranking Michigan 33rd among all states. Michigan’s rate lags behind the national average of 37.9 percent. It is MCAN’s goal to increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60 percent by the year 2025.
MCAN supports the creation, expansion and sustainability of 37 local college access networks. Funding from The Kresge Foundation and a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education made this round of grants possible. The next round of grants will be awarded in September 2011.
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About Michigan College Access Network
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to dramatically increase Michigan’s college participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income and first-generation college students of all ages. MCAN also supports two statewide college access initiatives: MichiganCAP, a one-stop-shop for students to plan, apply and pay for college at www.michigancap.org, and KnowHow2GOMichigan, a public awareness campaign designed to encourage and prepare low-income students and their families to take the necessary steps toward college (www.knowhow2gomichigan.org).
For more information, visit www.micollegeaccess.org. You can also find MCAN on Facebook at www.facebook.com/micollegeaccess. Greater Albion CAN_press release | [ ] |