The Kent County Attainment Accelerator aims to strengthen local efforts already underway to increase college enrollment, and certificate completion for in-demand, high-paying local jobs.
Jamie Jacobs, Michigan College Access Network’s Deputy Director, says the initiative focuses on maximizing existing resources.
“What this grant is about is not about creating another program. What it's about is how we can support making the programs that we already have in place in Kent County, work better on their own and work better together.”
The Michigan College Access Network works with 20 partners countywide such as school districts, colleges, and community organization to customize two-year plans, offering coaching and targeted programs to support students with tasks like enrollment or financial aid planning.
“Michigan has made more investments in state financial aid in the last handful of years than ever before. And so, it's really critical that folks understand their own individual cost.”
Backed by a two-year, $160,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation.Jacobs says the Accelerator program gives their partners breathing room to focus on long-term sustainability.
“How can we help organizations think about the urgent in a more coordinated and deeper fashion while this larger table gets set for a long-term conversation?”
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