October 2, 2024
Oakland University is proud to announce that it has been awarded $482,000 from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) through its newly launched College Success Grant program.
As part of a new $45 million state effort to improve student success at Michigan colleges and universities, this grant will be used to enhance support systems for first-generation students at Oakland University, with the goal of boosting their degree completion rates.
This initiative was developed in partnership with the Diploma Equity Project, which has provided valuable insights and support in shaping the university’s grant proposal.
“This grant is a vital investment in the future of our students, particularly those who are the first in their families to pursue higher education,” said Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., president of Oakland University. “By enhancing our support systems and strengthening pathways for success, Oakland University is committed to ensuring that more first-generation students not only start but finish their academic journey with a degree. This funding will help students overcome barriers, thrive in their studies, and ultimately contribute to Michigan's economy.”
Oakland University aims to increase the six-year bachelor’s degree completion rate for first-generation students from 47% to 65%, aligning with Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal to have 60% of working-age adults obtain a college degree or skill certificate by 2030.
Key initiatives supported by the grant include:
• Establishing a new position to scale and redesign student support systems, with a goal of having systems fully operational within 18-24 months.
• Investing in the early-alert system to identify and address challenges faced by first-generation students before they impact academic performance.
• Providing additional training for faculty and staff to better support first-year and first-generation students.
“As first-generation students now make up approximately 37% of Oakland University's incoming freshman class, closing the achievement gap for this group presents a significant opportunity to boost graduation rates while supporting many of our low-income and historically marginalized students,” said Dawn Aubry, vice president of Enrollment Management. “The State of Michigan is making a substantial investment in higher education, and Oakland University is committed to leveraging that funding to create meaningful change. We are eager to scale initiatives that equip our students with the tools they need for success, ensuring they can not only pursue their degrees but also achieve their academic and professional aspirations.”
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP, emphasized the importance of these grants, saying, “MiLEAP is proud to partner with our state’s institutions of higher education to support innovative programs that improve student success and postsecondary credential attainment, as we work together to meet Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal. Grant recipients have demonstrated their commitment to helping students on their path to prosperity, and we look forward to seeing the impact these initiatives will have on campuses across the state.”
The College Success Grant program is part of a broader state strategy to fund opportunities for public colleges and universities to transform institutional practices and increase student graduation rates. Oakland University is one of several institutions across Michigan to receive this funding, which supports innovative programs designed to empower student success.
For more information on Oakland University’s initiatives and resources, visit www.oakland.edu.
About Oakland University
At Oakland University, students learn and grow in the epicenter of opportunity in Greater Metro Detroit. OU is a public doctoral research institution that promotes a global perspective amid an inclusive, close-knit community. Nearly 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students benefit from an experience-based education, with a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio enhancing student-centered, personalized instruction.
OU offers flexible class schedules, state-of-the-art facilities and supportive student services. On a campus infused with arts, academics and Division I athletics, the Golden Grizzlies set the pulse of our community.
About MiLEAP
Established by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from preschool to postsecondary so anyone can “make it in Michigan” with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, visit Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.