Copyright M Live Michigan
SAGINAW COUNTY, MI - Hemlock Public School District and the Lockwood STEM Center have announced a new partnership with Saginaw Valley State University aimed at strengthening STEM education, robotics opportunities, and college pathways for students across the Great Lakes Bay Region. The collaboration seeks to connect K–12 education with higher education and workforce development through programs that expand robotics access, promote STEM careers, and provide new scholarship opportunities. As part of the agreement, SVSU will offer an annual $3,000 scholarship to students who complete the robotics program at the Lockwood STEM Center and enroll as first-year undergraduates at the university. The award is renewable for up to five years for students maintaining full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress. Beyond the scholarship, the partnership outlines several initiatives, including promoting SVSU’s programs and events to Hemlock students, exploring partnerships with local employers, and expanding dual-enrollment options to help students earn college credit before graduation. “This partnership represents another step forward in creating real, connected opportunities for our students,” Hemlock Superintendent Don Killingbeck said in a statement. “By aligning K–12 education with higher education and industry, we’re helping prepare students not only for the next step in their education, but also for meaningful careers in our region.” The Lockwood STEM Center, operated in collaboration with Hemlock Public Schools, serves as a regional hub for hands-on STEM education. The partnership with SVSU is expected to further extend those efforts, providing students with clear pathways from the classroom to college and beyond. “Hemlock Public School District continues to build on a strong foundation of STEM education that prepares our students for the future,” said Board of Education President Matt Wesener in a statement. “Partnerships like this one with SVSU and the Lockwood STEM Center reinforce that momentum—ensuring our students have access to the tools, experiences, and opportunities needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.” The five-year agreement commits all three institutions to collaborate within their respective guidelines to ensure programs provide both educational and economic benefit to the region.
