LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network has awarded $43,000 in Summer Melt Grants across eight organizations. The National College Attainment Network defines summer melt as the phenomenon of college-intending students who have applied to, been accepted by, and made a deposit to a college or university, but fail to enroll in the fall following their high school graduation. BEST Benzie County Local College Access Network, College & Career Access Center of Jackson, Detroit College Access Network, Hazel Park Promise Zone, Lapeer County College Access Network, Midland Area Career & College Access Network, Oceana College Access Network and Wayne SEMCA each received funding to implement and sustain summer melt prevention programming.
“MCAN applauds the commitment of our Local College Access Networks and community partners to building sustainable programming to prevent summer melt. It is essential to keep the momentum going for graduating high schoolers to successfully begin their college-going journey in the fall,” said MCAN executive director Ryan Fewins-Bliss. “To achieve Sixty by 30, we need to ensure no student falls through the cracks after high school — especially Michigan’s first-generation college-going students, low-income students and students of color, who are at higher risk of experiencing summer melt.”
“Summer Melt is the quintessential Local College Access Network activity. We are excited to bring school faculty, counselors and community partners together to make the transition to college smoother for our Benzie County students,” said Maggie Bacon, coordinator of BEST Benzie County LCAN. “Over the last year, our community has become increasingly aware of the barriers and challenges our first-generation college-going students are experiencing. This is the natural time for us to implement this project.”
“This grant will allow us to expand our summer programming and provide targeted support to recent graduates in Jackson as they navigate the critical transition from high school to college or career,” said Megan Pitts, director of operations, development and impact at College & Career Access Center of Jackson. “Our team is excited to implement proactive outreach and one-on-one advising to reduce summer melt and ensure students stay on track with their postsecondary plans.”
“This year, thanks to generous funding from the Ballmer Foundation, DCAN is able to hire five professionals to lead our Summer STEP programming in collaboration with the Detroit Regional Chamber, an initiative we've partnered on for the last five years. Additional support from MCAN has made it possible for us to bring on a sixth Summer STEP Coach,” said Cyekeia Lee, executive director of Detroit College Access Network. “Together, these investments allow us to expand our reach and ensure Detroit students receive the guidance they need as they transition into the next phase of their academic journey. We’re proud to work alongside partners who share our commitment to student success and postsecondary persistence.”
“In addition to the college access and success coaching work we do year-round with both high school and postsecondary students, we have always dedicated time and labor towards helping our students complete their onboarding steps in the summer,” said Fernando Monge, executive director of Hazel Park Promise Zone. “We recognize the importance of providing 12 months of intentional service and attention to all Promise Zone scholars. Thanks to MCAN, we'll have the opportunity to better compensate our staff and coaches, further incentivize student outreach, and program in-person events to help students with their onboarding steps.”
“Lapeer County is thrilled to offer students a supportive Summer Melt and Success coaching program this summer. This initiative is designed to help recent graduates navigate the transition from high school to their future path, ensuring they stay on track with their postsecondary plans,” said Ann Konarski, coordinator for Lapeer County College Access Network. “We look forward to empowering our students as they take the next step toward a successful future. Lapeer County CAN is committed to helping every student discover the best-fit opportunity that aligns with their goals and leads to a thriving future.”
MCAN’s Summer Melt Grants support Local College Access Networks and Community Ambassadors interested in initiating and sustaining summer melt prevention programs as part of a cohort model. The grant allows for the development, hiring, and evaluation of support programs that are meant to increase successful enrollment of transitioning high school seniors during the summer months. To learn more about MCAN’s Summer Melt Grants, visit micollegeaccess.org/grants.
Funding supports Local College Access Networks, community ambassadors interested in initiating or sustaining summer melt prevention programs