Michigan Colleges Alliance

College access and success - mca conducts a number of programs to facilitate college choice in Michigan. Examples include: 1) a unique collective promotional campaign, "we are the independents", is at the center of this work. The campaign reaches students, parents, counselors and educators to create a greater awareness of the value, affordability, and educational opportunities at mca institutions 2) targeted college fairs and college preparation programs for high school students and families 3) the kalamazoo math and science institute provides opportunities for 8th grade students to participate directly (alongside mca faculty and students) in hands-on field and lab work in algebra and biology. The program introduces students to stem fields in an engaging format and prepares them for high school and college success. Held new initiatives for targeted enrollment markets, early middle college students, Michigan hispanic collaborative and kalamazoo public schools. Conducted kalamazoo math and science institute summer program. Continued exclusive college fairs in key recruiting markets. Continued direct outreach to community college transfer students. Developed recruitment pathways and programming content for an international student access and success program.

Talent development - mca develops and manages programs to prepare and retain graduates for the Michigan workforce. Examples include: 1) a signature concierge corporate recruiting initiative provides customized access for Michigan business to possible interns and employees 2) an annual roundtable on talent is held at the grand hotel on mackinac island, bringing corporate executives together with midwest college and university presidents to collaborate on workforce development and student success 3) student/faculty project work with Michigan companies also highlights mca's talent focus 4) mca also facilitates cross-campus classroom learning opportunities for its members. Held the eleventh consecutive midwest roundtable on talent with record college president participation and attendees from twenty-three states. Maintained and expanded partnerships with signature Michigan companies though the concierge career connection program to secure employment and internship opportunities for students. Relaunched independent innovators network as mca college community challenge with a focus on community impact and social entrepreneurship. C3 challenge included design thinking training and credentialing in collaboration with the henry ford learning institute and a dedicated pitch session to statewide corporate leaders. Launched pilot of a multi-disciplinary collective-wide co-op program.

Scholarships and member services - private scholarship funds represent the area of greatest impact for our campuses, as they allow students to fulfill their education aspirations in small, teaching-oriented settings surrounded by fields of study at the center of our emerging knowledge based economy. Scholarships include Michigan scholarship fund, named scholarships, college community challenge scholarships, folds of honor scholarships, have faith haiti scholarship fund and others. Exclusive partnerships with the kalamazoo promise and the sage scholars consortium represent major college affordability initiatives. Other member services include collective purchasing and collective higher education legal services program. Mca awarded 3,985,485 to students at the 14 mca institutions studying a wide range of fields and provided additional operational and programmatic funds to member campuses. Continued work in identifying opportunities for collaboration in shared business-related services and collective purchasing to achieve substantial savings and operational efficiencies.