LANSING, Mich. — Through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s King-Chevez-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 kindergarten through 12th-grade teaching opportunities for academically or economically disadvantaged students.

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.

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.

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.

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 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-Chevez-Parks Initiative Competitive Grant should contact Joseph Baynesan, the program coordinator, at BaynesanJ@michigan.gov or 517-930-0956.