OPtimizing EDucation

In Accountability, by Mia Murphy July 26, 2018

When last we checked in on our friends at the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS, the federal government’s higher education data center), their graduation rate data was, uh, not very good. As I said at the time, if you don’t count a significant…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley July 20, 2018

Boosting the proportion of Michigan residents who obtain a college degree or other postsecondary credential is vital to the state’s future economic competitiveness, both domestically and globally. Ultimately, it is talent, not tax policy, geography, or demographics, that is…

In Higher Ed Finance, by Mia Murphy May 17, 2018

The leaders of Michigan’s 15 public universities, joined by the staff of the Michigan Association of State Universities, have long touted the personal return on investment a student earns with a four-year college degree. We’ve also long talked about the benefits that accrue to…

In Workforce Alignment, by Will Emerson April 27, 2018

General Motors (GM) is investing $1 billion to expand the Warren Tech Center outside Detroit, Michigan. This expansion will create 2,600 jobs, but GM’s main challenge will be staffing it! “We have to meet or beat the talent levels in Silicon Valley and other technology hubs…

In Student Success, by Will Emerson March 23, 2018

The 2017-2018 academic year has been marked by forward progress on student success at the state universities of Michigan; efforts spearheaded by the institutions in partnership with the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU). Since receiving a student success…

In Student Success, by Will Emerson March 20, 2018

Each year the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency conducts a survey of higher education institutions in the state to assess the quality of their veteran programs. The survey, “The Veteran Friendly School Application,” uses seven criteria to determine the level of support provided to…

In Student Success, by Will Emerson February 23, 2018

Student Success Coaching programs have grown in popularity in recent years and are represented at nearly all Michigan public universities. This is in part because they are a collaborative effort between universities and their students designed to nurture holistic student…

In Diversity & Inclusion, by MASU Guest February 12, 2018

[Note: Today’s guest blog is provided by Melissa Peraino, member of MASU’s Extended Education and Professional Development Directors Committee.] America’s got talent. Does Michigan? Many cite the lack of access to a talented workforce as one of the reasons for Amazon’s recent…

In Higher Ed Finance, by Mia Murphy January 19, 2018

One thing that’s always perplexed me is how drivers occasionally get hit by trains. Trains don’t veer off course. Trains don’t suddenly make a right turn in front of you on your way to the grocery store. Trains just lumber steadily down the track, unable to slow down or speed up…

In Workforce Alignment, by MASU Guest December 15, 2017

[Note: Today’s guest post is provided by four members of MASU’s Career Services Directors Committee.] There is a lot of talk today about internships. Parents want to know, “What should my student major in to get the best internships?” Students ask, “I heard that I should be…

In Talent, by MASU Guest December 8, 2017

[Note: Today’s guest post is provided by the chairperson of MASU’s Extended Education and Professional Development Directors Committee, Gerald Rhead.] It may be hard to fathom that innovation can be found in something that has existed since the 19th century, but inventive higher…

In Talent, by MASU Guest September 28, 2017

[Note: Today’s guest post is provided by four members of MASU’s Extended Education and Professional Development Committee.] University-based continuing education is well into its second century. On record is Cornell University’s faculty-led “Tour of the Great Lakes” program for…

In Talent, by Dan Hurley September 21, 2017

A recently released report produced by Michigan’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) provides insight on the extent to which foreign talent is contributing to Michigan’s economy. At a time of low unemployment, and in light of the steep forthcoming drop in high…

In Workforce Alignment, by MASU Guest September 14, 2017

[Note: MASU is pleased to offer OPtimizing EDucation as a platform for our various committees to share their insight in their fields. Our first guest post is written by Kerin Borland and Steve Patchin, the career services directors at the University of Michigan and Michigan…

In Educational Attainment, by Dan Hurley June 14, 2017

A report recently provided to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has added fuel to the narrative that talent will be the primary factor in the state’s ability to survive and thrive economically in the years ahead. The report, Building Michigan’s 21st Century Economy,…