Muskegon Opportunity LCAN

Mission and Philosophy

Local College Access Networks (LCAN) like Muskegon Opportunity hold a unique position within communities throughout the state – they work as trainers, conveners and community liaisons. Through vetted programs, community-wide initiatives and key collaborative services; our network is driving local change for educational attainment in Muskegon. While striving to create a college and career-ready culture, Muskegon Opportunity is empowering our community, local schools and programs to take action.

Urgency for Change

Our global economy demands a workforce with an education beyond high school. In the past, the West Michigan job market offered a good living without college or even a full high school education. Today we live in a globally-oriented, knowledge-driven world where the majority of job postings require a certificate, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.* By 2025, this number is projected to rise to 64%.** Of Muskegon’s current workforce, only 39% have these types of post high school degrees.***

* W.E. Upjohn Institute 2014, **TalentFirst, ***Stronger Nation 2022

Goals

Muskegon Opportunity and its LCAN collaborative partners/members strive to: 

1) Increase assets, affordability and financial readiness through FAFSA completion efforts, Muskegon Area Promise scholarship awards, and participation in college savings accounts like KickStart to Career Muskegon.

2) Increase college/career ready culture and aspirations through implementing Michigan’s K-12 Career Development Model, purposeful and meaningful EDP activities, and exposure to quality pre-college and career programming like Early College, Dual Enrollment, Direct Credit, Advanced Placement, Career and Tech Ed, and Work-Based Learning.

As a result, we are creating a college and career-ready culture.