The Data is Clear: College Still Matters

• Students of color and those with disabilities are among the populations most at risk of being left behind in college access and success.  
• Barriers include affordability concerns, lack of representation on campus, and systemic inequities in K-12 education. 
• Post-secondary education remains one of the most reliable paths to economic mobility, civic engagement, and community stability. 

On Aug. 8, higher education leaders and experts convened to share critical insights on college access, policy, and workforce development for Michiganders. This session included voices from community colleges, universities, and organizations dedicated to post-secondary attainment. The panel included: 

• Stephanie Beckhorn, Director, Office of Employment and Training, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity 

• Charles Cotton, Vice Provost, Enrollment Management, Wayne State University 

• Brandy Johnson, President, Michigan Community College Association 

• Cyekia Lee, Executive Director, Detroit College Access Network (DCAN) 

• And moderating the conversation, Ryan Fewins-Bliss, Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network 

Johnson highlighted the importance of local governance in community colleges and the association’s ability to interpret legislative changes and their impact. She also mentioned current initiatives, such as improving transfer pathways between community colleges and universities, and workforce-aligned training for roles like law enforcement and EMS. Specifically, this program, Local Heroes, will roll out in the next few months as a transfer pathway between community colleges and universities. 

“Our team tracks and interprets state budgets and legislative developments that affect Michigan’s community colleges and really helps to translate what the policy or proposed policy means in terms of the impact on our students,” Johnson said.  

Detroit’s college degree attainment gap is much larger compared to statewide goals. In fact, only 19% of Detroiters have a bachelor’s degree. To combat this, DCAN has adopted a two-pronged approach: supporting school counselors with up-to-date information and offering direct guidance and resources to students and families to navigate college decisions and financial aid. The organization recently launched Graduate 313, an initiative to boost college attainment rates among Detroiters, starting with middle schoolers and continuing through adult learners. 

“We also work with parents individually,” Lee said. “We want folks in this city to start to speak the same language and to share resources and tools around college access and success.”  

Cotton highlighted the institution’s commitment to social mobility and supporting students through partnerships and resources. Wayne State University’s tuition pledge programs, such as the Heart of Detroit and Wayne State Guarantee, make college affordable for Detroit and Michigan residents regardless of income. Wayne State also engages with K-12 districts during summer programs, serving as a source of excitement and showing that college is possible for all. 

“We’re an institution that doesn’t work for communities, we work with communities,” Cotton said. “The most popular question … was, I heard college is expensive, right? Or how much does it cost?”  

Beyond tuition, many barriers to higher education can come from things outside of the classroom, like transportation, child care, and housing. Beckhorn described Michigan’s Office of Employment and Training, which connects Michiganders to workforce programs and serves job seekers and employers with about 40 programs, including for youth, veterans, migrants, and the disabled. In 2024, they helped nearly 350,000 people and 8,000 employers, which helps grow Michigan’s economy and overall economic well-being. 

“We want them to enter into training that results in an industry-recognized credential or certificate they can take with them,” Beckhorn said. “It’s portable, it’s stackable, it follows them throughout their career. And we want that training to lead to employment, employment that pays a family-sustaining wage.”