New Executive Directive by Governor Whitmer Promotes Skills Training and College Enrollment for Young Men in Michigan
On April 10, 2025, Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan revealed a significant executive directive aimed at enhancing access to skills training and higher education specifically for young men. This directive was signed at a convening hosted by the College Promise at Oakland Community College, emphasizing the state's commitment to educational access and economic opportunities, as highlighted in the Governor's recent State of the State speech.
This directive empowers the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) along with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to conduct outreach geared towards men across Michigan, informing them about available programs and resources to support their journeys toward skills training and higher education. Recent studies indicate that educational disparities impacting boys and men might start as early as preschool and persist throughout their educational experience. With resources tailored to meet the specific needs of this demographic, the initiative aims to provide pathways toward long-term economic success for individuals and their families throughout the state.
Rosye Cloud, the interim CEO of the College Promise, expressed her support for the directive, calling attention to the vital role that young men play within the economy. Cloud remarked, "Michiganders are taking proactive steps to ensure that employers are connected with skilled talent, which strengthens families and communities. This involves providing young men with access to affordable and high-quality education and workforce training—supported through initiatives like College Promise—so they can acquire essential skills, credentials, and support needed to thrive in today’s economy and beyond."
This initiative is reflective of a broader bipartisan movement where various governors are advocating for increased economic opportunities and addressing the rising demand for skilled talent. The directive is designed to activate cooperative efforts between state government, educational entities, and workforce development groups. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging data to better coordinate government resources for male students, including provisions for fathers, ensuring their basic needs are met, while simultaneously supporting their mental health, education, and workforce development objectives.
Governor Whitmer stated, "In Michigan, we have been diligently working to reduce financial barriers and facilitate achievement. However, far too many men lack the necessary resources for success. That is why I am proud to sign this executive order, ensuring that more Michiganders are informed about and can access vital programs that will minimize educational costs, enabling more men to secure well-paying jobs and enhance their financial situations." She committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in Michigan, boldly declaring, "Together, let's get it done."
This executive order builds upon Michigan's established statewide Promise program, called the Community College Guarantee, which stands among a network of 38 similar initiatives across the United States. These programs aim to provide students with little to no-cost access to community colleges and specialized training programs, thereby boosting student success while broadening economic prospects.
In a significant announcement earlier this week, College Promise introduced a new endeavor to develop evidence-based guidelines inspired by similar programs throughout the nation. This initiative will utilize data gathered from six states that have established legislative mandates for collecting student parent data—Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, and California.
College Promise aims to bolster economic opportunities for all Americans by increasing access to valuable credentials, sought-after training, and affordable degree pathways. The organization emphasizes the necessity of support systems for students' success. Cloud noted, "We partner with states, employers, institutions of higher education, and industry leaders to promote alignment between educational pathways and the skills and credentials essential for the workforce of the future. Today’s directive by Governor Whitmer helps ensure Michigan is well-positioned to provide such opportunities. This initiative is one of the pioneering efforts intended to change lives for individuals and communities across the nation, with hopes to inspire similar initiatives throughout the country."
About College Promise: Founded in 2015, College Promise has evolved into a national, non-partisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student in the United States can access the education and training necessary to fulfill their academic and economic hopes. With over 450 Promise Programs established nationwide, College Promise is partnered with more than 1,700 colleges and universities, facilitating scholarships that cover tuition and fees, along with essential support services aimed at facilitating students' success throughout their educational and career endeavors. For more on College Promise and its mission, please visit collegepromise.org.
This directive empowers the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) along with the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to conduct outreach geared towards men across Michigan, informing them about available programs and resources to support their journeys toward skills training and higher education. Recent studies indicate that educational disparities impacting boys and men might start as early as preschool and persist throughout their educational experience. With resources tailored to meet the specific needs of this demographic, the initiative aims to provide pathways toward long-term economic success for individuals and their families throughout the state.
Rosye Cloud, the interim CEO of the College Promise, expressed her support for the directive, calling attention to the vital role that young men play within the economy. Cloud remarked, "Michiganders are taking proactive steps to ensure that employers are connected with skilled talent, which strengthens families and communities. This involves providing young men with access to affordable and high-quality education and workforce training—supported through initiatives like College Promise—so they can acquire essential skills, credentials, and support needed to thrive in today’s economy and beyond."
This initiative is reflective of a broader bipartisan movement where various governors are advocating for increased economic opportunities and addressing the rising demand for skilled talent. The directive is designed to activate cooperative efforts between state government, educational entities, and workforce development groups. It emphasizes the importance of leveraging data to better coordinate government resources for male students, including provisions for fathers, ensuring their basic needs are met, while simultaneously supporting their mental health, education, and workforce development objectives.
Governor Whitmer stated, "In Michigan, we have been diligently working to reduce financial barriers and facilitate achievement. However, far too many men lack the necessary resources for success. That is why I am proud to sign this executive order, ensuring that more Michiganders are informed about and can access vital programs that will minimize educational costs, enabling more men to secure well-paying jobs and enhance their financial situations." She committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to thrive in Michigan, boldly declaring, "Together, let's get it done."
This executive order builds upon Michigan's established statewide Promise program, called the Community College Guarantee, which stands among a network of 38 similar initiatives across the United States. These programs aim to provide students with little to no-cost access to community colleges and specialized training programs, thereby boosting student success while broadening economic prospects.
In a significant announcement earlier this week, College Promise introduced a new endeavor to develop evidence-based guidelines inspired by similar programs throughout the nation. This initiative will utilize data gathered from six states that have established legislative mandates for collecting student parent data—Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Oregon, Texas, and California.
College Promise aims to bolster economic opportunities for all Americans by increasing access to valuable credentials, sought-after training, and affordable degree pathways. The organization emphasizes the necessity of support systems for students' success. Cloud noted, "We partner with states, employers, institutions of higher education, and industry leaders to promote alignment between educational pathways and the skills and credentials essential for the workforce of the future. Today’s directive by Governor Whitmer helps ensure Michigan is well-positioned to provide such opportunities. This initiative is one of the pioneering efforts intended to change lives for individuals and communities across the nation, with hopes to inspire similar initiatives throughout the country."
About College Promise: Founded in 2015, College Promise has evolved into a national, non-partisan, and non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every student in the United States can access the education and training necessary to fulfill their academic and economic hopes. With over 450 Promise Programs established nationwide, College Promise is partnered with more than 1,700 colleges and universities, facilitating scholarships that cover tuition and fees, along with essential support services aimed at facilitating students' success throughout their educational and career endeavors. For more on College Promise and its mission, please visit collegepromise.org.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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