About the Michigan Center for Adult College Success
Collaborate. Innovate. Transform.
Our Governing Council
Although our parent organization, TalentFirst, is a West Michigan-focused organization, our scope is statewide. Therefore, our governing council includes leaders and subject matter experts from across Michigan. They are:
Chris Baldwin, senior fellow at the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement
Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan
Todd Gustafson (Chair), president & CEO of nonprofit Kinexus
Paula Herbart, president of the Michigan Education Association
Jim Jacobs, president emeritus of Macomb Community College
Amy Lee (Vice Chair), executive dean of collaborative programs for the Michigan Community College Association
Bill Rayl, executive director of the Michigan Manufacturers Association
Kevin Stotts, president of TalentFirst
Sarah Szurpicki, director of Sixty x 30 for the state of Michigan
Our Purpose
The Center will serve as the state’s primary resource for research, support and best practices on increasing adult enrollment and completion of credentials and degrees.
Our Vision
The Center will be a national role model by making Michigan the leader in adult enrollment and completion of credentials and degrees.
Focus
Focus on all adults and their attainment of credentials and degrees by any path so they can thrive.
Goals
Establish partnerships with all interested Michigan postsecondary institutions to support their efforts to increase enrollment and completion numbers.
Provide value-added resources on best practices for increasing adult enrollment and completion with support to tailor those best practices to Michigan postsecondary institutions.
Award 75% of grant funds to institutions to implement best practices and pilot new programs aimed at increased credential completion.
Critically evaluate programs and processes designed to boost credential attainment and enrollment.
Facilitate statewide symposiums and regional conversations to share best practices and inspire innovation.
Identify and procure sustainable source of funding to continue and complete the Center’s work and fulfill its purpose.