LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded a $20,000 LCAN Planning Grant to Oakland80 to implement strategies to increase postsecondary educational attainment in Oakland County.
Oakland80 is an Oakland County initiative designed to assist residents in securing a degree or credential beyond high school. It also aims to create greater economic stability and career opportunities for Oakland County residents through networks of connections and resources. This work helps Oakland County employers by building a more skilled and talented workforce.
“Oakland County and MCAN share a core conviction that a college education and training are the keys to a successful career path for our residents,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We are so grateful for the grant from MCAN, which will help us move closer to our Oakland80 goal of getting 80% of our working-age residents a college degree or certified training by 2030.”
Recently, the Oakland80 team conducted in-depth research and collected data on demographic, geographic, economic and educational indicators to best understand where it needs to focus its efforts over the next several years to achieve its goal. Using the LCAN Planning Grant, the organization will create an online, interactive asset map of related resources in the county and augment the online data dashboard so it is an interactive tool for partners to use. Additionally, using the Local College Access Network model, Oakland80 will grow its network of partners.
“Oakland80 is a great example of a community that has set an ambitious attainment goal that is informed by the needs of its residents, benefits the local economy and helps the state reach its Sixty by 30 goal,” said MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss. “As we work to make sure all students have equitable pathways to college — especially for low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color — we are proud to partner with groups like Oakland80 to align efforts and maximize the local impact of our work.”
MCAN’s LCAN Planning Grants are used to fund a strategic planning process to organize and initiate a community-based Local College Access Network (LCAN) through grants of up to $20,000. These grants are available on a rolling basis until allocated funding is depleted within the fiscal year. To learn more about MCAN’s grant programs, visit micollegeaccess.org/grants. To learn more about Oakland80, visit oakgov.com/business/workforce-development/oakland80.
Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) has awarded a $20,000 LCAN Planning Grant to Oakland80 to implement strategies to increase postsecondary educational attainment in Oakland County.