Copyright M Live Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Davenport University announced this month it received a $10 million federal grant - “the largest in school history” - to expand college access programming in three areas across the state. The grant funds will cover programs in Lansing, Muskegon and Ypsilanti school districts, giving students access to seven years of after-school activities, college and career readiness initiatives, campus visits and financial literacy workshops. The grant from the U.S. Department of Education came through Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). It’s a discretionary grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in higher education. Davenport is one of only 32 recipients nationwide, according to university leaders, and one of just two institutions in Michigan to secure funding this year out of 146 applicants. Western Michigan University also received a $13.7 million grant. Davenport is a private, nonprofit university with six locations across Michigan. It serves around 5,000 students in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Midland, Traverse City, Warren and online. “Davenport University is honored to lead this transformative initiative that will open doors for more than 1,700 Michigan students,” said President Richard J. Pappas. “This grant is a direct reflection of the strength of our partnerships across the state, particularly our K-12 school partners and more than 20 dedicated organizations and community colleges.” GEAR UP provides six-or seven-year grants to groups providing services at high-poverty schools. The funds allow programs to work with specific groups of students throughout their K-12 career, following them all the way through middle and high school into college. Funds are also used to provide college scholarships. Davenport received a seven-year federal partnership award through its own Mid-Michigan GEAR UP Project. The grant funding will serve students in the Lansing School District, Ypsilanti Community Schools and Muskegon Heights Public School Academy system. Students in those schools will have access to a support system from sixth-grade through their first year of college. Programming includes after-school robotics and AI learning clubs, college and career readiness initiatives, campus visits and family workshops focused on higher education access, financial aid and financial literacy. Dr. Alena Zachery-Ross, superintendent of Ypsilanti Community Schools, said the grant is an outstanding opportunity for the district and its students. “Truly, the sky’s the limit for our scholars with this kind of sustained support,” she said. University leaders said when determining the grant winners, the federal government saw a record number of perfect scores among applicants, with final selections based on the level of need among proposed school partners. “Davenport was selected due to its commitment to underserved student populations and its strong partnerships with schools in areas of concentrated need,” a Davenport press release read. The university’s project unites 23 partners, including the Henry Ford Museum, the Grand Rapids Art Museum and Capital Area Michigan Works!, an employment agency in Lansing. Davenport will also collaborate with Grand Rapids Community College, Monroe County Community College, Muskegon Community College and the University of Olivet to guide students toward postsecondary success. GRCC Interim President Steven Triezenberg said the college plans to assist with the program through campus visits and engagement with faculty and staff. “We are excited to introduce young learners to what ‘college’ looks like,” he said, “and to help them see themselves in this setting.” Davenport will begin working with partners soon, to be ready for student participation sometime in 2026.
