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Through community-wide initiatives and key collaborative services, our Local College Access Network (LCAN), Muskegon Opportunity is driving systemic change for educational attainment, and empowering our community to take action!
Common Agenda Towards Education Attainment
Common Agenda Towards Education Attainment
Urgency for Change:
Career education provides the opportunity for students to gain the necessary skills for attaining their highest levels of economic, personal, and social fulfillment. Career development should be integrated within academic content throughout the curriculum and enhanced with business, industry, and CTE partnerships. A student's educational experience should include the opportunity to attain his or her highest level of career potential through career awareness, exploration and preparation. Development of employability skills is essential to a student’s future career success and will allow them to think critically, problem solve, and operate in a team environment.
Additionally, our global economy demands a workforce with an education beyond high school. In order to build and sustain a vibrant economy and healthy community, Muskegon Opportunity’s mission is to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue and complete a high quality post-secondary credential in an effort to compete in today’s labor market.
One of our biggest concerns in Muskegon is the lack of skilled talent for a growing jobs market. Currently 70% of job West Michigan Hot Job postings require a license/certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree or higher. Of Muskegon’s workforce (age 25-64), only 39% have these types of post high school degrees.
Under the direction of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) and support from the Muskegon Area Career Tech Center (MACTC); Muskegon Opportunity is helping to implement the statewide effort of career development & career and college readiness as a part of our long standing and overarching mission. Together, we can create a college and career ready culture for all of Muskegon.
Common Methods Leading to Results: Aspirations and Assets
Common Methods Leading to Results: Aspirations and Assets
The Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) encourages its LCAN affiliates to EMPOWER direct-service providers within their own network to adopt shared outcomes and best practices.
Our common goals for 40+ schools countywide include...
Aspirations: Building a college and career-ready culture by
Incorporating grade-appropriate instruction on career development in each grade level, grades K to 12.
Enhancing the college and career-ready culture through meaningful Educational Development Plan (EDP) experiences and activities.
Increasing participation in pre-college and career (PCC) experiences such as Early College, Dual Enrollment, Direct Credit, Advanced Placement, Career and Technical Ed, and/or Work-Based Learning.
Assets: Creating Affordability and Financial Readiness by
Increasing the use of grants, gifts or awards identified by government through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Increasing the use of affordable and FREE college options through the Muskegon Area Promise Scholarship.
Increasing the participation of students/families who are planning/saving for college and/or career training through the KickStart to Career Children's Savings Account (CSA) opportunity.
Our shared success and telling our story...
In 2020 a statewide college access Impact Map was created and Muskegon is included! This online resource for educators, administrators, legislators, and college access professionals displays student and community outcome data by ISD, county, region, legislative district and state connected to increasing attainment.
In the Summer of 2022, a geographic information system (GIS) map has been created to connect our network and highlight our assets throughout our service region. This community resource database was developed for stakeholders to find college and career readiness programs, services, and partnerships in our region. On this map you can search by location for resources in K-12, nonprofit, and postsecondary programs. To be added to the map or provide any updates for your organization, please contact Megan Byard-Karaba at mbyard@muskegonisd.org
LCAN Counselor & College Adviser Shared Resource Folder (using Google)
LCAN Counselor & College Adviser Shared Resource Folder (using Google)
Local College Access Networks (LCAN's) like Muskegon Opportunity hold a unique position within communities throughout the state – they coordinate community-wide success strategies developed with support from area leaders. Rather than providing direct services to students and families; LCAN’s work as trainers, conveners and community liaisons.
Whether its learning who's who in the county, having access to our common goals & metrics, finding pertinent college access research, or using ready made templates from our Resource Hub; access them all here!
Collaborative Resources, Links and Social Media
Collaborative Resources, Links and Social Media
Career Readiness at its Finest
MCAN's Roadmap to Opportunity: Michigan has many high-demand, high-wage jobs available that require a certificate or an associate degree to get started! These fields offer entry level and ongoing educational opportunities that could increase student potential for professional growth, promotion, and higher wages over time as well as lead to a meaningful career. Check out these hot jobs! As school counselors, college advisers and other supportive adults we can assist youth with navigating programs in our community that provide education and credentials to launch and accelerate their career!
Want a more local flavor? Check out West Michigan Hot Jobs here!
Affordability and Know-How
America's Smartest Investment... our students! Federal Student Aid Website
Student Checklists that start in Elementary School and end in Adulthood. Full Downloadable (PDF) Brochure here!
MISSG High School Counselor Portal. Access affordability data about your students; and learn about programs, policies and MISSG features!
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