Tales from Schoolcraft College commencement

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Schoolcraft College Graduation Commencement Program, where over 500 students received degrees or certificates. It was great to be part of celebrating the students’ achievements.

SEMCOG’s economic forecast and economic development strategy tell us that retooling our existing workforce and educating our future workforce are critical to the region’s prosperity.

Dr. M. Roy Wilson, President of Wayne State University, delivers the keynote speech to Schoolcraft graduates

Schoolcraft President Dr. Conway Jeffress and keynote speaker Wayne State University President Dr. M. Roy Wilson each told stories that demonstrated the ways Schoolcraft College serves students, the community, and the region. Schoolcraft College is addressing both through their degree and certificate programs.

Dr. Conway Jeffress, President of Schoolcraft College, with Kathleen Lomako, Executive Director of SEMCOG

These stories, shared during the graduation festivities, brought some of the evolving trends of our region to life:

• Schoolcraft celebrated its first student to receive a BS, an evolving role for what used to be a community college;
• A recent immigrant and honor student graduated with an associate’s degree and headed to U of M with a scholarship;
• A number of students graduated from high school while also receiving a computer certificate from Schoolcraft;
• A female student earned her welding certificate after discovering her four-year degree in English did not yield the hands-on work she enjoys; and
• The largest group of nurses ever graduated from Schoolcraft, helping address the shortage in our region’s health care systems.

In Southeast Michigan, community colleges are successful for many of the same reasons that many of our cities, townships, and villages have been successful. They share strengths in adapting to shifts in the local and global economies as well as changes in the services and opportunities people want and need. Just as the diverse array of communities in our region ensure that there is a place for everyone to live, our colleges educate students of all kinds, helping them build the skills required for prosperous future.