Davison Index

Michigan community colleges enhancing statewide efforts to support students outside of the classroom


LANSING — Michigan’s 28 community colleges are strengthening their support for community college students’ basic needs outside of the classroom, thanks in part to new grants received by the Michigan Community College Association.

“Providing extra resources and support to ensure our students are successful is a key focus of Michigan community colleges,” said Michigan Community College President Brandy Johnson. “Addressing obstacles that students face will lead to more completed degrees and successful futures.”

To bolster their basic needs resources, MCCA has been awarded grants from the Consumers Energy Foundation (CEF) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). The $100,000 Consumers Energy Foundation grant will help develop training resources for college faculty and staff to expand awareness and understanding of how to help students struggling to complete their education. The ACCT grant will help students who are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients build their skills in order to increase their ability to secure employment and career pathways.

“We are excited to support the Michigan Community College Association’s efforts to identify and help address students’ needs who are struggling to remain in college due to financial stresses,” said Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “We know achieving academically is one of the best paths to financial independence, and a small hand up can mean the world to Michiganders facing hardships while working hard toward success in the classroom.”

These efforts are supporting the MI-BEST (Michigan – Building Economic Stability Today) basic needs initiative launched in early 2020. The initiative aims to provide support for nonacademic needs of students, which have been amplified by the pandemic. MCCA expanded its focus in this area after a survey of students showed that increased needs in the areas of stress/anxiety, housing and food insecurity and financial stability. — G.G.