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Mission, Values & History

Michigan Career & Technical Institute
Mission, Values & History

Our mission, vision and philosophy

  • Mission

    Meeting the demands of today’s industry and workforce, Michigan Career and Technical Institute provides individualized career development, education, training and support services for individuals with disabilities preparing for and engaging in competitive integrated employment.

  • Vision

    Employment, independence and equality for Michiganders with disabilities.

  • Philosophy

    At MCTI, we believe that our students:

    • Are the most important people at our school
    • Should be treated equally
    • Should be treated with respect

    We work to encourage and prepare our students for future jobs. We offer physical, social and cultural support to meet every student's needs. It is also our job to help students live independently.

A brief history of MCTI

  • Black and white photographs of the Michigan Veterans' Vocational School. The top image shows a man working with radio equipment under a banner that reads 'Michigan Veterans' Vocational School operated by Western Michigan College of Education for The Office of Veterans' Affairs, State of Michigan.' The lower image is an aerial view of the vocational school campus, located near a wooded area by a body of water, with multiple buildings, a water tower, and parking areas visible among trees and open lawns.
  • Woman seated at a drafting table, using a protractor and ruler to create precise lines on a technical blueprint.
1944 To1964

Founding and establishment

The Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) was founded in 1944 by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation which leased the facilities to the State of Michigan to help rehabilitate returning World War II veterans and other Michigan citizens.

The main campus property and facilities were deeded to the State of Michigan in 1947, and the institution was formally named the Michigan Veteran's Vocational School by the Michigan Board of Education in 1952. The name changed to Michigan Rehabilitation Institute in 1959, and a 350-bed dormitory was constructed in 1964.

1968 To1974

Expansion and inclusion

The name was changed again in 1968 to State Technical Institute and Rehabilitation Center (STIRC) and, in 1971, the first female student was enrolled.

A health and recreation complex was added in 1974 — this featured a library, gymnasium, Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool, weight room, archery range, and even a bowling alley.

1995 ToPresent

Rebranding and today

In 1995, the school was renamed Michigan Career and Technical Institute, as it is known today. The Pine Lake Family Center was built in 1999 providing housing and daycare for those with families attending MCTI.

Today, MCTI is the second largest comprehensive rehabilitation training center in the United States, offering a unique blend of caring human support services and state-of-the-art training for Michiganders with disabilities. The school is administered by Michigan Rehabilitation Services within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training.

  • A modern-day MCTI student working on an electrical control module, connecting wires on a blue training panel in a technical lab setting.