April 01, 2026
WHEREAS, Michigan’s 31 community and tribal colleges play a vital role in expanding access to postsecondary education and strengthening Michigan’s workforce and economy; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s community colleges enroll approximately 295,000 students each year and award more than 20,000 degrees and 10,000 certificates annually, providing pathways to family-sustaining careers and continued educational attainment; and,
WHEREAS, in 2024, we made community college tuition-free for recent high school graduates at their local community college through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship Community College Guarantee; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s community colleges also serve thousands of adult learners through programs such as Michigan Reconnect, which helps adults age 25 and older earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate and advance their careers; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan’s community colleges play a central role in the state’s education pipeline, serving more than 80 percent of Michigan’s dual enrollment and early and middle college students and helping thousands of high school students earn college credit, credentials, and associate degrees while still in high school; and,
WHEREAS, participation in dual enrollment and early and middle college programs increases college enrollment, persistence, and completion, helping more Michigan students successfully transition from high school to postsecondary education and careers; and,
WHEREAS, community colleges are leading providers of workforce education and training, preparing students for high-demand, high-wage careers in health care, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing, including electricians, dental hygienists, diagnostic medical sonographers, HVAC technicians, and industrial machinery mechanics; and,
WHEREAS, students of all ages and backgrounds who attend Michigan’s community colleges receive a high-quality and affordable education that strengthens communities and contributes to the state’s prosperity;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, and Garlin Gilchrist II, lieutenant governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Community College Month in Michigan.
