Hello College Access Champions,

The challenges of this pandemic continue to show significant shifts for students, families, and the people who support them. It is no surprise to you that the pandemic has continued to further gaps in college enrollment and to students' progress toward financial and economic mobility.

Compared to fall 2020, total undergraduate enrollment declined by 3.1% or 465,300 students, for a total two-year decline during the COVID-19 pandemic of 6.6%, or 1,025,600 students since fall 2019, according to a new report released by National Student Clearinghouse. Michigan saw a 6.4% drop in enrollment from spring 2020 to spring 2021, one of the most significant drops in enrollment in the country, only before Delaware and New Mexico.

Call to Action: Continued efforts require us to lean in and ensure that our students have the information, resources and support needed to successfully graduate as well as assist with their transition to and throughout college. DCAN can help you support students on their post-secondary journey. Stay connected with us here and on social media, sign up for professional development virtual events, and keep updated on student-facing initiatives.

The College “Fit” Project is a one-page college research worksheet that will help students determine the best colleges based on needs culturally, socially, and academically.

All students can participate but schools are encouraged to sign up to be eligible for up to $1000 in funds.

Learn more about the project, share info with students, and sign up your school using the links below!

Samvid Young Leaders (SYL) is a scholarship program that launched in 2020 in partnership with the Detroit Promise to support college-bound, high achieving young women in Detroit who face financial challenges.

The main eligibility criteria are:

Join Skillman program officer Terry Whitfield as he talks with Laura Bakosh of Inner Explorer and Kiesha Jackson of Caleb’s Kids about what their organizations are doing to support youth mental health during the pandemic.

Then, hear Tykesha Boyer of Local Circles discuss the results of youth-led research on teen mental health, along with her suggestions for how adults can better support youth mental health moving forward.

Detroit Public Schools Community District is seeking qualified vendors to assist its Office of Family and Community Engagement in providing neighborhood-based positive youth development as part of its 2022 extended summer school programming.

The District may select more than one qualified vendor to deliver services to students and/or support the delivery of

services to students through multiple community partners.

Urban Alliance is seeking a program coordinator to manage a cohort of interns participating in a year-long internship program, support employer partners, and facilitate professional development trainings.