Enrollment at Michigan's 15 public universities has fallen 6.3%, or by more than 17,500 students, since fall 2019, the semester before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Michigan.

The Bridge in Brighton has done it again, garnering another award. The alternative high school has won the Michigan College Access Network’s Marina Award.

Longtime college advocate and former MCAN executive director Brandy Johnson is poised to become the next leader of the Michigan Community College Association.

We shouldn’t just talk about and celebrate groups of people based on what month it is. We have to address the disparities year-round and lift up the stories of individuals and their impact in the same approach.

Michigan College Access Network recently announced the Michigan Equity, Courage, Hope and Opportunity Scholarship, a tuition-free pathway for students who are not eligible for federal financial aid to pursue an associate degree or certificate.

Even with “help wanted” signs up all over the country and our region, many individuals who have less than a college degree or are considered low-skilled workers are still struggling to find work because they are not qualified.

There is still a common misconception about this career path: the notion you don’t need college to get a good job in manufacturing. The days of employees landing a high-paying factory job after high school are disappearing rapidly.

As Michiganders lost their jobs during the pandemic, there was a rise in need for skilled workers in many industries. It pains me to say it, but many who lost their jobs will find it hard to replace them at the same level.

For employers in the Greater Lansing region, the focus on attracting and retaining talent has been a priority and challenge even before the global pandemic.

There are many “hot jobs” available in our community, but do potential employees have the degree or credentials to fill them?