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NCAN Annual Conference, St. LouisSeptember 14, 2011
Facilitator: Brandy Johnson, MCAN
Nanette Reynolds, Ed.D.Co-founder, The Imagine
FundConsultant, MCAN
Chuck WilburSenior Policy
Consultant, PPAPromise Zone Project
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Brandy, Chuck & Nanette
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Brandy JohnsonExecutive Director
Michigan College Access Network
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2010 Michigan Total State Population by Race: 9,883,640
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Michigan Data
•5.3 million working age adults (25-64)
•More than 35% have at least a 2 year degree
•Closing the attainment gap between first generation, low income and students of color will require “concerted and strategic efforts over many years”
A Stronger Nation Through Higher Education, Lumina Foundation for Education (Sept. 2010), pg. 54
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If all racial/ethnic groups in Michigan had the same educational attainment and earnings as whites, total annual personal income in the state would be about $12 billion higher. (Measuring Up, 2008)
04/21/23micollegeaccess.orgSource: ACT Profile Report - Michigan, 2011
04/21/23micollegeaccess.orgSource: ACT Profile Report - Michigan, 2011
04/21/23micollegeaccess.orgSource: Tom Mortenson, Postsecondary Education Opportunity, Updated 2011
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Source: NCHEMS, 2009
04/21/23micollegeaccess.orgSource: NCEMS, 2009
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Nanette Reynolds, Ed.DCo-founder, The Imagine Fund
Consultant, MCAN
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Chuck WilburSenior Policy Consultant, PPA
Promise Zone Project
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How could Michigan, given its challenged fiscal environment, spark
the creation of local promises in communities struggling with high
rates of poverty and unemployment?
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Each Promise Zone funds its scholarships through three sources
Students must file the FAFSA and accept Pell grants and other needs based aid--Promise Zones are able to capture half the future growth in a state property tax within their boundaries--Promise Zones raise funds from foundations, businesses, individuals and community organizations
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Three Promise Zones—Baldwin, Benton Harbor and Pontiac are already providing scholarships to students in their communities
Six Promise Zones—Battle Creek, Detroit, Hazel Park, Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw plan to begin providing scholarships to the Class of 2012
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1. Develop a culture of learning in high poverty areas
2. Increase the number of Michigan residents with college degrees
3. Create stronger economies in our core cities and other distressed areas
4. Strengthen cities by attracting and retaining families that place a premium on education
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Promise Zones are limited to communities that have above average poverty rates
The Promise Zone communities have high levels of unemployment and high concentrations of low income families
The Promise Zone communities also have low levels of educational attainment that make them less attractive to knowledge-based businesses
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16 percent of the state’s children live in Promise Zones… but 35 percent of those children receiving public assistance
Almost 60 percent of the state’s African-American children and a quarter of the state’s Latino children live in Promise Zones.
Only 23% of the adults in the Promise Zones have an Associate Degree or higher, compared to 36% statewide.
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Nanette Reynolds, Ed.D.Co-founder, The Imagine Fund
Consultant, MCAN
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A Stronger Nation Through Higher Education, Lumina Foundation for Education, pg. 54
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We’re flying the plane while building it, but are pleased to share our vision and hopes, activities to date, and next steps with you today!
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1. Planning
2. Initial integration of equity into
practice
3. MCAN Board education and
action
4. Implementation, measurement
and accountability
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1. Planning• MCAN director articulated
importance of a diversity focus
• Presented workshop at MCAN
conference
• Formed MCAN team of three
• Appointed Ad Hoc Group on Equity
• Conferred with others; engaged in
research
• Drafted vision statement
• Decided to focus initially on LCANs
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Equal access and opportunities to education are the foundation of a just and equitable society. Attainment of a college degree or valuable credential enhances one’s quality of life. There is a compelling sense of urgency to increase college enrollment, retention and graduation for students of color in Michigan and achieving this objective requires collective impact.
As an inclusive organization, the Michigan College Access Network recognizes the importance of closing college attainment gaps as our state aspires to reach its big goal of 60% college attainment by 2025.
Accordingly, MCAN is committed to infusing and imbedding diversity into its comprehensive college access strategy. Only in this way can Michigan be assured of the educated, competitive and diverse work force requisite for our state’s economic resurgence and long term vitality.
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Picking up steam…
•Chose 7 LCANs to participate in pilot
•Administered demographic survey
•Developed and administered equity scans
to pilots
•Conducted site visits to pilot LCANs•Conferred with our MI College Advising Corps teams
•Shared updates in MCAN newsletter
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Advisory Council or Staff or Volunteers or Students, etc.: Number of advisory council/leadership team members (actual count): ____
Gender: Number of Males ____
Number of Females ____
Race & Ethnicity: Ethnicity: ____ Hispanic or Latino Race: ____ American Indian or Alaskan Native ____ Asian
____ Black or African American ____ Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander ____ White
Total ____
Please use this space if explanation is necessary:
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St. Clair County
Bay County
Battle Creek
Muskegon Holland/Zeeland
Benton Harbor
Baldwin
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Chosen for varying characteristics, including:
Demographics
Geographic location
Philanthropic support in community
Size
Socio-economic measures
Stage of development
Affiliation with Promise Zone (4 of 7)
…to ensure applicability of future MCAN equity expectations and strategies
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2. Initial Integration of Equity into Practice – LCAN
Focused •Developing graphic model
•Identifying information and resources to support equity work •Conceptualizing specific equity goals, action steps and evaluation plan
•Aligning RFPs and reports to equity concept
•Collaborating with MCAN’s evaluator, again for alignment
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3. Board Education and Action
•Ownership and leadership
•Broaden the mission to students of color
•Support of MCAN’s gap reduction strategies and accountability measures with LCANs and MCAN Partners
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Applying equity lens to MCAN Partners:
• Share commitment to closing equity gaps
• As appropriate, expand outreach to college students involved in programs which interface with LCAN students
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• Policy & advocacy: Advocate for disaggregation of data in executive and legislative reforms aimed at raising college participation and graduation rates
• Professional development & TA: Comprehensive resources are available to support increasing the number of students of color attending and graduating from college
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• K-12 education achievement gaps
• Autonomy of Michigan public institutions of higher education
• Mindset: “we serve everyone
equally”
Challenges/Opportunities
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Proposed Impacts
•Commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion reflected in practice and day-to-day operations
•More students of color attending and graduating from college
•Reduction of postsecondary equity gaps
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Brandy Johnson
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