GRAND RAPIDS, MI – College presidents joined Mayor Rosalyn Bliss, Grand Rapids schools leaders and other community stakeholders Friday, Oct. 25, in signing a community compact recommitting to a mission of increasing the number students receiving degrees.
“Increasing the number of citizens in the Grand Rapids area who have college degrees ensures greater innovation, entrepreneurship, and a greater employee talent pool thus enhancing the overall economic growth of the region,’’ according to the compact signed during the “To College, Through College Summit” at Grand Rapids Community College.
In 2013, the “To College, Through College’’ multi-sector initiative launched with partners including, the city of Grand Rapids, higher education partners, Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), and KConnect, a network of public, private and independent organization in Kent County working to ensure all children a path to economic prosperity.
In 2016, the T2C Studio: Grand Rapids Center for College Success, opened at the Grand Rapids Public Library, another partner in the initiative.
Shayla Willis Young is the studio’s coordinator dedicated to it being the bridge from high school to college completion for the many students needing assistance.
“As a first generation college student in my family this is an important day for me because I know how valuable these resources are, and I wish when I was 18 that I had a Shayla to turn to,’’ Bliss told the audience at GRCC’s Applied Technology Center.
We come together to celebrate the many partners who truly work together every single day to change the trajectory for students in our city, and to help students get the support they need not just get into the college but to graduate from college.’’
Bliss said the compact is about a recommitting to support the initiative’s goals, not just the work being done today, but engaging in a deep dive to make sure institutions are capturing data to show the effectiveness of the program.
She said while their group wants to increase the numbers for all students receiving degrees in the community, there is a particular focus on first generation college students, minority and other historically represented populations beginning with graduates from GRPS.
The goal is for 40 percent of all GRPS graduates to receive a college degree, up from 18 in 2013. There is a sub-goal of closing the retention gap between students of color and white students from 12 percent to 28 percent degree attainment.
“We connected 1,700 students to TC2 Studio services,’’ Young said, during a summit breakfast for college presidents. “We have four ways of doing that through outreach, studio visits, events and workshops and text messages.’’
Young said their service goal is to serve six students in their space a day. She said students come in needing help with multiple things that can derail them, including financial aid issues, academic support, dealing with basic needs such as homelessness, and just navigating complex education systems.
Ferris State University President David Eisler said the community connection TC2 provides augments what FSU can do as an institution. He said sometimes Young alerts them to challenges students are facing and their staff is able to get them the help needed whether in or outside class.
Davenport University President Richard Pappas said Davenport is passionate about seeing all students’ go to college, graduate and have a great career and a great life. Over the last decade, he said Davenport has increased its graduation rate by a 158 percent and retention rate went up from 60 to 77 percent.
“It is not just enough to attend college, students have to graduate and get into a high-paying career that fulfills their ambitions,’’ Pappas said. “We are proud to be part of this initiative and hopefully, will play a larger role.’’
Other college and universities represented by their presidents or representatives included: Michigan State University, Aquinas College, Western Michigan University, Calvin College, Grand Valley State University, and GRCC.
“We are taking many college tours to provide exposure to our young men and women so that they can see their future in higher education,’’ said GRPS Interim Superintendent Ronald Gorman, noting this district is also working hard to improve student outcomes on state assessments.
GRCC President Bill Pink said GRCC he is thrilled that their staff, including Coordinator of Retention Chris Sain, work closely with TC2 Studio to make sure that their students are getting some of the best care to assist them in and outside the classroom.
Sayroan Mohamed, a second year GRCC student, said she utilizes the resources at TC2 Studio a lot since. A political science major, she said she plans to transfer to a four-year institution because she wants to become an immigration or criminal attorney.
“They welcomed me with open arms at the studio,’’ Mohamed said, noting how she received help getting an $8,000 scholarship from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation.
“As a first-generation college student, I have appreciated the continued support and encouragement and guidance. I think of the studio more like a family.''
She said Young and her staff build you up and offer emotional support sharing,"‘I am here for you, I was once in your shoes, you can do it.’’’
Under the compact, each college agrees to commit to an annual contribution to support the TC2 Studio calculated on student enrollment - $5,000 for institutions under 10,000 students and $10,000 for those serving over 10,000 students.
However, Lynn Heemstra, executive director of Our Community’s Children, which oversees the initiative, said TC2 is supported by multiple resources including the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, philanthropic and grant funding and city resources. She said also receive in-kind services such as furniture from Steelcase.
“What’s so cool about this initiative is that all these community partners have come together to make a difference,’’ Heemstra. “We are going to see an amazing return on the investment.’’
She said this is the third year of a five-year pilot with the TC2 Studio.
Audrey Hutchinson, director of education for the National League of Cities, spoke at the summit, offering a national perspective post-secondary success.
She said the compact is an example of “what a city can achieve when the table is set for multiple stakeholders to come together to achieve a city’s cradle to career agenda.’’
The TC2 Studio is located on the 3rd floor of the Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St. NE. The Studio number is (616)-988-5449.
2019-10-26 00:23:10Z
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2019/10/college-leaders-city-schools-sign-compact-to-help-more-students-gain-degrees.html
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