A new report shows only about 27% of first-time community college students in Michigan go on to graduate. Business Leaders for Michigan says its research shows Michigan ranks 49th in the nation for community college completion and 48th for ten year enrollment growth. Spokesperson Randi Berris tells us students need more support services as they deal with work and family. The group is calling for a state agency focused on community colleges.
“This agency has to help identify opportunities and barriers in Michigan’s community colleges to drive more collaboration and adoption of best practices,” Berris said. “We need to ensure more data collection and transparency. One of the challenges we found when we were pulling together the data for our report is that some of it just doesn’t exist in any form that is consistent across the state. So, we think a state agency could help with that.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently announced the new Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, which Berris says will help. That office will open in December. Berris also says community colleges need to have better partnerships with employers. She notes Corewell Health works closely with community colleges in several locations around the state, adding there should also be strong transfer partnerships.
