News
MCAN shares the latest data, research, and resources from the field so that educators, leaders, and partners are empowered with knowledge that is relevant to their work.
News
Press Releases
High School Innovation
MCAN applauds legislative changes to Michigan Merit Exam, transcripts
April 30, 2026
Earlier today, the Michigan legislature passed House Bills 4556 and 4557, which make changes to the Michigan Merit Exam and high school transcripts. The bills now head to the governor’s desk, where Gov. Whitmer is expected to sign the bills into law. Michigan College Access Network applauds the legislature for passing these bipartisan bills, which modernize the exam and remove unnecessary barriers for students.
All Areas of Work
MCAN celebrates wins for students in legislative budget bills
April 22, 2026
As Michigan lawmakers unveil competing state budget bills, early plans signal meaningful investments in students and families, while also raising important questions about long-term funding stability for higher education and college access.
Community Mobilization
MCAN awards over $26,000 in grants to support innovative college access and success projects
April 13, 2026
Michigan College Access Network is proud to announce three Innovative Program Grants to support promising college access and success projects across the state. Montcalm Community College and Alternatives for Girls each received $10,000, and Michigan Technological University received $6,333.
Blogs
All Areas of Work
15 Years Forward: When Policy Meets Purpose | Michele Strasz
April 23, 2026
As director of the Capital Area College Access Network (CapCAN) and a leader at United Way South Central Michigan, Michele has spent her career at the intersection of community impact and public policy. As we reflect on 15 years of postsecondary progress through the lens of policy, Michele's story is exactly the one we want to tell.
All Areas of Work
Q&A with Ryan Fewins-Bliss: 15 Years of Policy & Progress
April 15, 2026
As MCAN celebrates its 15th anniversary, we sat down with Ryan to talk about policy — the wins, the work, and what it takes to move a state.
Higher Education Innovation
Rewriting the Story of College Access: How Equitable Opportunities Change Trajectories
March 4, 2026
For students who have long faced systemic barriers, these ripple effects don’t happen by chance. They happen when systems are intentionally redesigned to expand opportunity — not restrict it.
In the News
All Areas of Work
Ben Frederick Talks College for All
May 15, 2026
Durand Now
For former Republican state representative Ben Frederick, the connection between policy, opportunity, and economic growth has never been partisan — it’s personal.
High School Innovation
New Michigan laws end stressful essay portion of college test
May 14, 2026
Michigan Public Radio
Starting next year, Michigan 11th graders will be relieved of the stress of the essay portion of the Michigan Merit exam and the scores of those tests won’t be shared with university and college admissions offices, under bills signed Thursday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
High School Innovation
U.S. citizen students face an agonizing choice: Affording college or protecting parents from deportation
May 1, 2026
The Hechinger Report
“I can’t look them in the eye anymore and say federal law prohibits them using your data in other ways,” Ryan Fewins-Bliss, executive director of Michigan College Access Network, said of college applicants with undocumented family members. “It also could be the pathway to getting your family detained.”