IHEP Study Says Investment in Higher Education will Boost Economy

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that a national report confirms that the administration's emphasis on helping residents get the education and training they need for the 21st century economy is the right strategy for boosting the state's economy.  The report, conducted by the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) of Washington, D.C., endorsed several key Granholm administration initiatives designed to double the number of college graduates in Michigan.  

"This national study confirms that a key component in growing our economy and creating new jobs is expanding opportunities for higher education," Granholm said.  "This is an issue that touches every community in our state whether it's urban, rural or suburban."

The IHEP study responded to the challenges outlined in the groundbreaking report from the Cherry Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth that Granholm appointed to find ways to increase the number of college graduates in Michigan.  Among the Cherry Commission's recommendations was a call for action at the community level to increase educational attainment.  The IHEP study, which was funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, focused on higher education attainment in three geographically diverse areas of Michigan: Macomb County, the city of Saginaw, and the Alpena region.  It made a series of recommendations to expand access to higher education that include:

- expanding health care and medical training programs;
- improving public transportation to improve access to post-secondary institutions, and;
- enacting "Promise Zone" legislation to increase access to higher education for low-income youth.

The governor praised the Kellogg Foundation for supporting the study, the first ever to examine higher educational opportunity at the local level in Michigan.

"Thanks to the Kellogg Foundation, we now have a better understanding of the barriers to higher education that exist at the community level," Granholm said.  "If we take down those barriers for Michigan residents no matter where they live, we'll reap big rewards in economic growth and new jobs."

The study analyzed demographic and education data, conducted interviews with community and education leaders, and compared the targeted areas to similar communities in other states.  The Institute for Higher Education Policy is an independent, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. dedicated to advancing access and success in postsecondary education.  The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established to help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations. 

To view full report go to: http://www.ihep.org/assets/files/publications/g-l/Higher_Education_in_Michigan.pdf.

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