Kellogg Community College announced today it has volunteered to serve as a Michigan Reconnect Champion in support of the state’s new tuition-free degree program for eligible adults.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled the Michigan Reconnect program in early February as part of a statewide effort to help address a widening skills gap within the state’s workforce.
Hundreds of Michigan business, community and legislative leaders have said Reconnect is exactly what state employers need to alleviate the shortage of highly skilled and capable workers in multiple sectors.
“We believe Michigan Reconnect will not only help individuals and families pursue their dreams, but it will also help build a strong economy that requires a talented and modern workforce to compete for the jobs of the future,” said KCC President Dr. Adrien L. Bennings. “KCC has a long history of providing affordable workforce training and transferable degrees in our service area and the Michigan Reconnect program fits perfectly with our mission as a community college.”
As a Champion, KCC has committed to spreading the word about the Michigan Reconnect opportunity to eligible adults across the region. For more information about KCC’s Michigan Reconnect opportunities, visit Kellogg.edu/reconnect.
The program is specifically designed for Michigan residents who are 25 years or older and have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent. Michigan Reconnect will help pay the costs of tuition or training for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or technical degree. Michigan Reconnect pays the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied.
In order to be eligible for the benefit, which covers resident tuition rates, participants must meet the following criteria:
- Age 25 or older
- High school graduate or equivalent
- Michigan resident for at least one year
- Not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s)
As of 2019, only 42% of Michigan’s working-age residents had an associate degree or higher. Michiganders without a college degree or training credential often face economic challenges. A 2020 analysis by the American Association of Community Colleges reports the median earnings of full-time employees with a high school degree is $40,510 annually, while those with an associate degree make $50,079 per year, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Michigan employers’ ability to find highly skilled employees is more difficult than ever and is cited as a top concern in the most recent Michigan Future Business Index Report. Michigan Reconnect will help address the dual challenges of the state’s widening talent gap and aging workforce.
The application and additional program information are available at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.
In addition to applying for the Michigan Reconnect program through the State of Michigan, anyone interested in attending KCC also should submit an admissions application at KCC and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
In order to maintain the Michigan Reconnect scholarship for up to four years, students must remain Michigan residents, stay enrolled in at least 6 credit hours per semester and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.
KCC offers the following degrees and certificates, all of which can be explored in further detail at Kellogg.edu:
Associate Degrees
- Associate Degree in Agricultural Science
- Associate Degree in Arts
- Associate Degree in Criminal Justice
- Associate Degree in Elementary Education
- Associate Degree in General Studies
- Associate Degree in International Studies
- Associate Degree in Science
- Associate Degree in Applied Science:
- Accounting
- Administrative Assistant
- Business Management
- Computer Engineering Technology
- Computer Networking
- Computer Programming
- Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Technology
- Corrections
- Cybersecurity
- Dental Hygiene
- Early Childhood Education
- Emergency Medical Services
- Graphic Design
- Human Services
- Industrial Electricity and Electronics
- Industrial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
- Industrial Machining Technology
- Industrial Pipefitting
- Industrial Technology
- Industrial Welding
- Law Enforcement
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Neurodiagnostic Technologist
- Nursing
- Nursing – Advanced Placement
- Photography and Multimedia
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Public Safety
- Radiography
- Skilled Trades
Certificates
- Accounting Certificate
- Administrative Assistant Certificate
- Art Enrichment Certificate
- Basic Emergency Medical Technician Certificate
- Business Management Certificate
- Computed Tomography Technology Certificate
- Computer Programming Certificate
- Corrections Certificate
- English for Enrichment Certificate
- Graphic Design Certificate
- Industrial Electricity and Electronics Certificate
- Industrial Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Certificate
- Industrial Machining Technology Certificate
- Industrial Pipefitting Certificate
- Industrial Technology Certificate
- Industrial Trades Certificate
- Industrial Welding Certificate
- Medical Assistant Certificate
- Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate
- Music Enrichment Certificate
- Paramedic Certificate
- Photography and Multimedia Certificate
- Renewable Energy Certificate
- Sacred Music Certificate
- Web Design and Development Certificate
Professional Certifications
- Child Development Associate Professional Certifications
- Computer Engineering Technology Professional Certifications
- Computer Networking Professional Certifications
- Industrial Trades Professional Certifications
- Medical First Responder Professional Certification
- Nursing Assistant Professional Certification
- Phlebotomy Professional Certification
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.