New grant dollars will be used to expand and strengthen outreach and workforce alignment with Oakland County's Oakland80 Navigator community services.
Oakland Community College (OCC) has been awarded a Reconnect Community Action Grant by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) to expand postsecondary access for adult learners and strengthen regional collaboration in support of economic growth. The funding is part of an $8.1 million statewide investment to increase educational attainment and workforce readiness in communities across Michigan.
"These investments reflect our deep commitment to adult learners and the communities that support them," said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Director of MiLEAP. "By working with local colleges and community leaders, we are removing barriers to education and helping more Michiganders earn the credentials they need to thrive in today’s economy."
With the grant, OCC will expand and strengthen outreach and workforce alignment with Oakland County's Oakland80 Navigator services within the community.
"Oakland Community College will continue its partnership with Oakland County and leverage the Reconnect Community Action grant to enhance community support services and expand career pathways for local residents," said Peter Provenzano, Jr., OCC Chancellor. "We’re proud to partner with our community to ensure more adults can pursue a degree or skill credential and advance their futures."
"Our Oakland80 initiative is successful because of the collaboration we have with institutions that ensure our residents have access to the education and training they need to succeed," added David Coulter, Oakland County executive. "Oakland Community College’s decision to use a Michigan Reconnect grant to support Oakland80 navigators will help us achieve our goal of having 80 percent of our residents earning a college degree or certified training by 2030."
Reconnect Community Action Grants are part of a larger effort by MiLEAP to meet the state’s Sixty by 30 goal: ensuring that 60% of working-age Michiganders earn a postsecondary credential by 2030. The grants are one of five categories of new competitive funding made available in 2024 to support student success, totaling more than $45 million in investments across Michigan’s community and tribal colleges and universities.
For more information about the Reconnect Community Action Grants and other Sixty by 30 grants, visit Michigan.gov/Sixtyby30grants.
###
About MiLEAP
Established by Governor Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from birth 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, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
About OCC
Celebrating 60 years, Oakland Community College (OCC) has educated over one million students since 1965. OCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs and is committed to student success with affordable tuition, support services, flexible class options and top transfer opportunities. The College serves more than 20,000 students annually while advancing our community through education, training and career support. OCC is nationally recognized as Michigan’s top online college, and seventh in the U.S., by Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges 2025. Learn more at oaklandcc.edu.
###
Media Contact: Marketing & Communications | (248) 341-2020 | contactus@oaklandcc.edu