Growing Our Communities: The Great Value of Free Community College

News

Bay College Students

By Kaylee Hubert
Published February 2, 2024

Michigan’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in her recent State of the State address, proposed expanding access to post-secondary education. This expansion would allow high school graduates to receive free community college.

As modern technologies and processes are implemented in all forms of work, be it advanced manufacturing, healthcare, or various other kinds of employment, citizens of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula require training beyond high school.

Over 75% of jobs in Michigan require a credential beyond high school. Students earning a college credential earn upwards of an extra $1 million over a lifetime.

The intention of the new proposal and current Michigan Reconnect tuition-free program for ages 21 and older is to grow Michigan’s attainment of certificates and degrees to 60% of adults having a credential beyond high school by 2030. This is critical to keeping the State of Michigan moving forward in the global economy, preparing all Michiganders for the work of today and tomorrow. Currently 50.5% of Michigan adults have such a credential.

According to Bay College’s Vice President of Student Services Travis Blume, “Bay College is very excited about the Governor’s proposal to expand educational access after high school. This program and the education that results will unlock opportunities for the Upper Peninsula and its citizens. Gaining skills expand opportunities for employment and provides a workforce that is ready to take on the ever-changing workplace.”

Blume continued, “Bay College is here to play its part in the plan to reach 60% of Michiganders with a certificate or degree and looks forward to assisting in the achievement of this goal while growing communities within the Upper Peninsula.”

Bay College is the community’s college. The college’s mission of Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success reflects the college’s work to provide for the educational needs of the Upper Peninsula, preparing the workforce for the communities served and beyond.

Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success. Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing certificates and associate degrees,  transfer credits to universities, and workforce training programs which develop skillsets and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay