Your Resource for Boosting Adult College Enrollment & Completion | June 2025

MI-LEARN Design Lab

Our MI-LEARN Design Lab is progressing wonderfully as our participating institutions collaborate and work to create innovative system changes that bolster adult postsecondary attainment in Michigan. We’re so excited to see everyone at our next in-person convening in beautiful Traverse City later this month!

Explore all of the resources from our past convenings on our website. 

2025 Research Updates

• Adult Learner Fact Sheet: Our team partnered with TICAS to produce a fact sheet on adult learners in Michigan — it highlights demographics, access, affordability and success rates. Check it out!

Plus, we’ve got some new research and reports coming soon!

• Michigan Reconnect 21 Digital Marketing Case Study: We teamed up with CollegeAPP, 25th Hour Communications and MiLEAP to operate a digital marketing campaign promoting the Michigan Reconnect Age Expansion Scholarship with some impressive results and fascinating insights into this population. 
• Michigan Reconnect Survey: We partnered with the MiLEAP team to analyze the data from their survey of Michigan Reconnect applicants in order to better understand the needs of this population. Insights include educational backgrounds, employment histories, anticipated challenges and more.

Tapping In: Free Resources to Elevate Institutional Readiness for Adult Learners

One of the most powerful tools in supporting adult learners? Knowing what resources are already available—and putting them to work.

Through the Michigan Center for Adult College Success, institutions have access to a range of no-cost supports designed to strengthen capacity, elevate readiness, and boost outcomes for returning adult students. Whether it’s data insights, implementation coaching, or best-practice sharing, these resources are built to meet institutions where they are—and help them go further.

Our team is here to help colleges and universities tap into every opportunity available, especially as momentum builds around Reconnect 21 and new state investments in student success. From building stronger advising systems to addressing barriers like childcare and transportation, we’re ready to partner with institutions to create solutions that work for today’s adult learners.

There’s never been a better time to plug in. Let’s raise the bar for adult student success—together.

From the Blog

Interested in learning how you can support adult learner attainment through debt forgiveness strategies on your campus?

Michelle's got you covered in her most recent blog post! She outlines all of the lessons learned and the key insights needed to be able to implement a similar program at your institution.

Lansing Legislative Update: Executive Directive Targets Male Enrollment in Higher Education

In a significant move to address gender disparities in postsecondary education, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive on April 10, 2025, aimed at increasing college and skills training enrollment among Michigan men. The directive instructs the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to enhance outreach efforts, ensuring more men are informed about tuition-free opportunities such as Michigan Reconnect and the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.

This initiative builds upon Governor Whitmer's State of the State address, where she emphasized the importance of supporting young men in achieving educational and economic success. Currently, women outnumber men in programs like Michigan Reconnect by more than a 2:1 ratio, highlighting the need for targeted efforts to close this gap.

The directive aligns with Michigan's Sixty by 30 goal, aiming to have 60% of working-age adults with a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030. By focusing on increasing male participation in higher education and skills training, the state seeks to ensure a more inclusive and robust workforce for the future.

Read more in Jeremy's recent op-ed.

Innovation Investment Award: The Journey of Serving Adult Learners at Muskegon Community College

In this edition, we highlight Muskegon Community College's (MCC) innovative initiatives under Dr. Steve Sanocki aimed at transforming the experience for adult learners aged 25 and older. With grants focused on enhancing support and engagement, MCC is redefining success through improved completion rates, recruitment efforts, and post-graduate support. Discover how actionable research and feedback are shaping programs to better serve these students. Don't miss the full article for insights into MCC’s exciting developments and early successes!

Building Momentum for Adult Student Success on Mackinac Island

Last month’s Detroit Regional Chamber Policy Conference (DPC) on Mackinac Island gave Michigan’s adult learner advocates a powerful platform—and we made the most of it.

With a strong on-island presence, our team highlighted the critical role of Reconnect and adult-serving institutions in helping more Michiganders complete their degrees and credentials. From roundtable conversations to one-on-one meetings, we emphasized the growing momentum behind Reconnect 21 legislation and the urgent need for sustained investments in student success.

Support is building for key budget provisions that strengthen institutional capacity to meet adult learner needs—from expanded wraparound services to targeted Student Success Grants. These investments are essential to keeping adult learners on track, and we were encouraged to hear so many legislative and institutional partners echo that message.

As the state finalizes its higher education budget, we’re proud to stand with institutions and allies across Michigan to ensure adult students aren’t left behind. The energy and engagement on the Island show that the future of adult learning is bright—and we’re ready to build on this momentum.

New Reconnect Transparency & Reporting Hub Now Live

MiLEAP has officially launched a new transparency and reporting website for Michigan Reconnect, providing easier access to data.

The site features:

• The latest Reconnect-related reports from MiLEAP
• Annual compliance reports from participating colleges
• CEPI data on each institution’s progress toward credential completion growth targets

Whether you're a policy partner, institutional leader, or just data-curious, this new resource brings timely insights to the forefront of Michigan’s Reconnect efforts.

Explore the new Reconnect reporting site.

The Center Connection: Partner Perspectives

Adult Basic Needs Task Force

MiLEAP contracted with the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University for a yearlong review of who is struggling to complete a degree in Michigan, why they’re struggling, and how policymakers can remove financial insecurity as a barrier to students’ pursuit of educational goals.

3 key findings:

• 47% of Michigan undergraduates had unmet financial need after aid
• 44% of Michigan students experienced housing insecurity in the past 12 months
• 20% of Michigan undergraduates experienced low or very low food security 

Read the research and 12-point plan for improvement.

Gallup Survey Highlights Urgent Need to Support Adult Learners in Higher Education

The 2025 Lumina Foundation-Gallup State of Higher Education Study reveals a strong desire among U.S. adults to pursue higher education, with 57% of unenrolled adults considering enrollment in the past two years. However, significant barriers such as cost, mental health challenges, and emotional stress continue to impede progress. 

Notably, adults who have previously enrolled but did not complete their programs are nearly twice as likely to consider reenrollment compared to those who have never enrolled. This indicates a substantial opportunity to reengage these individuals through targeted support.  

Despite the high value placed on degrees and credentials, many adults face obstacles that prevent them from enrolling or completing their education. Financial constraints, mental health issues, and the need for flexible learning options are among the top challenges cited.  

These findings underscore the importance of initiatives like Michigan Reconnect, which aim to provide financial assistance and support services to adult learners. By addressing these barriers, such programs can help more adults achieve their educational goals and contribute to the state's workforce development.

As policymakers and educational institutions consider strategies to support adult learners, investing in mental health resources, flexible scheduling, and financial aid will be crucial. These efforts can help bridge the gap between the desire for higher education and the ability to attain it, ultimately benefiting individuals and the broader economy.

We can help with that!

Don’t know where to start when it comes to boosting support for adult learners? You’re not alone—and we’ve got you covered.

Here are just a few ways we can help your institution move forward:

• Labor Market Data – Need to know what careers are growing in your region? Curious how many adult learners could benefit from your programs? We can pull localized labor market data tailored to your service area—and break it down so it’s easy to understand and use.
• One-on-One Support – Want to talk through a specific idea or challenge in serving adult learners? Need assistance with a grant or funding proposal? Want to know more about our research activities? Join our virtual office hours every Tuesday from 9–10 a.m. and Thursday from 3–4 p.m. to connect directly with our team. No prep required—just bring your questions!

Helping adult learners succeed is a team effort, and we’re here to be part of yours. Reach out anytime—your next step starts here.

Know someone who would find this valuable? Forward this email and share the insights!

We collaborate to drive postsecondary innovation, transforming Michigan into a place where more adult learners enroll, complete and thrive.