ESCANABA — Bay College has announced that it has been awarded a $1 million College Success Go Big Grant by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential.

This funding will enable Bay College to enhance student completion rates, expand Credit for Prior Learning and Competency-Based Education (opportunities, strengthen career services, and advance Guided Pathways — an approach designed to help students navigate their educational journey with greater clarity and support

The MiLEAP College Success Go Big Grant is part of Michigan’s Sixty by 30 statewide initiative. The initiative will help the state achieve its goal of 60% of adults earning a skill certificate or college degree by 2030.

The funding will focus on providing more opportunities for adult learners, many of whom are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities while pursuing their education. The goal is to increase student success and completion rates and support Michigan’s workforce.

“The College Success Grants are part of a $45 million student success grant initiative in the State of Michigan and Bay College is thrilled to be receiving a portion of this funding to support our students, faculty and staff training, and our community,” stated Bay College President, Dr. Nerita Hughes. “We are extremely grateful for the MiLEAP grant, which will allow us to significantly enhance our services for adult learners and our college community.”

Bay College plans to use the grant to enhance several resources and services, including:

≤ Expanding Credit for Prior Learning opportunities to allow adult students to earn credit for their previous work experience, certifications, military service, and other life learning, accelerating their educational progress.

≤ Furthering development of competency-based education programs that provide students with the flexibility to progress based on their mastery of skills and knowledge, rather than traditional course timelines.

≤ Strengthening career counseling, job placement services, internships, and employer partnerships to support students as they transition from education to meaningful careers in the workforce.

≤ Expanding adult student success coaching and guided pathways.

The College will also invest grant dollars to provide professional development and training for the faculty and staff related to these efforts.

Cindy Gallagher, Vice President of Workforce Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, shared the Go Big initiatives are aimed at institutionalizing critical strategies to support the adult learner. “After review of the grant and scope of work, we felt it was in perfect alignment with Bay College’s new strategic plan and the work we have already started,” shared Gallagher. “A team began preparing the grant several months ago and went through an interview process before learning of the award in early December.”

Bay College’s new strategic plan launched this past fall with the College committed to five strategic pillars: Amplify Institutional Brand and Value, Design a Holistic Student Experience, Cultivate a Culture of Care and Well-Being, Build Industry Responsive Partnerships and Adopt Future Ready Technology. The new strategic plan along with the MiLEAP Go Big Grant are a critical step to ensuring Bay College continues to meet the needs of our communities and Michigan’s diverse workforce.