MCAN responds to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 2025 State of the State address

Lansing, Mich. — Earlier tonight, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State address to a joint session of the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate, where she outlined her policy priorities for the coming year. Michigan College Access Network is encouraged by the governor’s commitment to lowering costs, creating jobs, and delivering results for Michigan residents.

MCAN fully supports Gov. Whitmer’s announcement of an Executive Directive to help get more adult men into and through college, and into the workforce with valuable degrees and certificates.

“My message tonight goes out to all young people, but especially our young men. I know it’s hard to get ahead right now. But I promise you, no matter how hard life might get, there is always a way out and a way up,” Whitmer said in her address. “The last thing any of us wants is a generation of young men falling behind their fathers and grandfathers. […] In Michigan, men and women want to protect and provide for their families, be financially successful and be good role models. That’s why no matter who you are, we want to help you learn more and earn more.”

As noted by the governor, women participating in Michigan Reconnect outnumber men by more than a 2:1 ratio. An analysis by Bridge Michigan estimated that 69% of women in Michigan enroll in college within a year of graduating high school, while just 56% of men do. In terms of total enrollment at our 15 public universities, Michigan’s gender breakdown is 54.6% women compared to 45.4% men. This has significant implications for the job market, where men who forgo college are less likely to land good jobs with family-sustaining wages. According to the Michigan Department of Data and Analytics’ Hot 50 Job Outlook, which tracks high-growth, high-wage opportunities in the state, 45 of Michigan’s Hot 50 jobs require some formal learning past high school, and 42 of the 50 require a bachelor’s degree or more.

While recent budgets have made historic financial investments in Michigan’s K-12 system, Gov. Whitmer called on the legislature to go further in supporting our schools and students. MCAN was encouraged by the governor’s push to improve the mental, physical, and emotional health of our students. For our students to reach their full potential, they need to have a learning environment that is safe, supportive and well-funded.

Statement from MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss:

“We are eager to continue supporting Gov. Whitmer’s efforts to build a state that is known for investing in its residents through higher education. When people are asked what they think about when they think about Michigan, we hope they will say, ‘an educated workforce.’

“We appreciate the governor's use of data to prioritize populations that need more help in getting into and through college. Since day one, MCAN's mission has prioritized low-income students, students of color and first-generation college-going students, based on local and statewide data. We will continue to focus on these populations, but we will also heed the governor's call to improve college enrollment and attainment for male students. By leveraging Michigan’s state-based financial aid, we can get more men onto college campuses, where they are drastically underrepresented, and equip them for fulfilling, well-paying careers. For our state to compete in the modern knowledge-based economy, we need to make sure all residents have the opportunity and support to earn valuable postsecondary education and contribute to a flexible, future-proof workforce that attracts and retains top-tier employers.

“Michigan’s investments in postsecondary education — including the Community College Guarantee, Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect — have reduced financial barriers and opened the doors of higher education for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. As we move into budget negotiation season, MCAN is ready to work with Gov. Whitmer and the legislature to sustain and improve these programs, building momentum toward Sixty by 30 and helping to ensure every Michigander has a pathway to educational and career success.”