Tuition-free education is now available thru Michigan Reconnect

After she suffered several major medical problems, the loss of her infant son and mounting educational debt, Kai Washington needed a fresh start. Which she found with the help of Michigan Reconnect, a state of Michigan program that provides free or reduced community college tuition for adults 25 and older to earn an associate degree or skill certificate. Since the program launched in February 2021, more than 100,000 people statewide — including Washington — have taken the first step toward completing their higher education through Reconnect. Washington wasn’t even considering college when the Reconnect opportunity arose. But today, the 27-year-old is just months away from earning a culinary arts degree from Mott Community College in Flint. Overcoming obstacles “My journey in culinary is nontraditional, just like my life,” Washington said. Washington earned high marks in high school and was enrolled and ready to succeed in college when an assault landed her in the hospital. Her injuries and a battle with posttraumatic stress disorder left her unable to finish school. Her life was further complicated by a divorce and the death of an infant son she had with a boyfriend. She and her boyfriend grieved their son’s death separately and eventually split up. All the stress took its toll. Washington suffered a stroke that temporarily left her vision impaired and limited her ability to speak or work. While Washington was recovering in the hospital and contemplating her future — one that she didn’t think would include college — a friend suggested she consider Michigan Reconnect. The opportunity to return to school and receive a tuitionfree education wasn’t the only positive turn in her life. She and her boyfriend got back together and now have a healthy baby boy. “I am back on track thanks to Michigan Reconnect and Mott Community College,” Washington said. Her Reconnect success will also benefit the greater community. She plans to open a soup kitchen focusing on food justice and insecurity after she graduates. Building Michigan’s workforce Michigan Reconnect is the largest effort in state history to ensure that Michiganders who are 25 or older and do not have a college degree have an opportunity to earn an associate degree or skills certificate with free or deeply discounted tuition. Michigan Reconnect pays the cost of in-district tuition for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree or skills certificate at any of Michigan’s public community colleges, including its tribal colleges. Eligible residents can attend community college tuition-free at a community college where they are considered in-district. For those who are not considered in-district by a community college, Michigan Reconnect will still cover up to the indistrict portion of tuition. In addition, grants of up to $550 per student may be available to help cover other costs that often keep adult learners from returning to college or enrolling for the first time. The new grants, which will be distributed by the state’s public community colleges, including its tribal colleges, directly to students, can be used for books, child care, internet access and transportation to help students pursue associate degrees or skills certificates. To be eligible for the grants, students must: • Be a Michigan Reconnect or Futures for Frontliners scholarship participant. • Have completed at least one semester within the respective scholarship program they are participating in. • Be enrolled already or be in the process of enrolling for a qualifying semester. With over 18,000 students enrolled at a community college, the state is making progress toward meeting Gov. Whitmer’s Sixty by 30 goal of having 60% of Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or skills certificate by 2030. More information is available at Michigan.gov/Reconnect.

If you ever said “Maybe someday I’ll get my college degree,” we have great news for you — in-district community college is now tuitionfree for eligible adults 25+ through Michigan Reconnect. Deep tuition discounts are available for out-of-district community colleges. Which means you can get the education you’ve always wanted, and you’ll have the chance to pursue the rewarding career you deserve. So, come on — you’ve waited long enough.

Reconnect to your future today at michigan.gov/reconnect

She Did That: Women Take the Lead in Male-Dominated Fields

By: Sherri Kolade Black women rule the workforce and have the highest labor force participation in comparison to all women, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In other words, a higher number of Black women are employed or unemployed and searching for work. Breaking down the numbers reveals that Black women make up 60.5 percent of the workforce in comparison with 56.8 percent for white women – the pandemic didn’t stop Black women (even during the Great Resignation) as their labor force participation rate slightly spiked to 58.8 percent in comparison to 56.2 percent of white women. In other words, Black women, among others, rule on and off the job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that women’s labor force participation was up in the last few years, which means there is even more opportunity for women to work in positions that are not traditionally female-led. According to learnhowtobecome.org, what defines traditional versus non-traditional careers for women is based on “perception and reality, by the cultural norms that inform a woman’s decision to favor certain jobs over others, and by structural barriers to entry in distinct fields.” The website added that non-traditional female careers include physicians and surgeons, computer programmers, firefighters, chefs and head cooks, sheet metal workers and aircraft pilots and flight engineers. Live Career noted that in the “fourth wave of feminism,” many employers are making a more notable effort in hiring an equal number of women and men, especially in jobs and industries that have been “dominated by one gender in the past.” “These occupations with lopsided representation are deemed nontraditional occupations by the Department of Labor if its workforce comprises less than 25 percent of one gender, and they could be interesting avenues of employment to explore as employers try to achieve gender parity,” according to Live Career. One such field where women are knocking down gender barriers at work is glass blowing, according to careerexplorer.com. Described as an ancient art form that produces delicate and functional glass pieces, glass blowing is also a non-traditional job where 33 percent of glass blowers are female and 67 percent are male, according to careerexplorers.com. Master Glassblower April Wagner, owner of Epiphany Studios, Michigan’s premier state-of-the-art glassblowing studio and gallery, told the Michigan Chronicle that her “definitely non-traditional role” is one. “I always knew from a young age I would always be an artist, just was unsure of what that would be like,” Wagner, who took a glass-blowing college class and fell in love with it, said. “There were not a lot of women working with glass back when I was working with it. It’s a very responsive material and reacts to what you’re doing to it and it has a thing it wants to do. Constantly challenged by it and ... very fortunate to have found that thing that makes me want to jump out of bed in the morning.” She added that along her 30-year career course as an artist she’s had plenty of naysayers but is “stubborn” and ambitious. “I would go ahead and do it anyway,” she said when others told her “no.” “The only limitations you have in life are ones you put on yourself. ... Following your dream ultimately makes you happy in life. If it was easy everyone would do it and more people should try that.” Wagner’s 4,000-square-foot studio in Pontiac will create large-scale works of art. Wagner, 49, has run and operated her hot glass studio and gallery from this spot since 1997. Along with creating glass arts and gift items, the studio also trains apprentices and hosts classes and do-it-yourself workshops for the public. “Most people are familiar with the beautiful glass pieces we offer at Epiphany, like our birds of beauty, sleeping kitties, rocks glasses, pumpkins, paperweights and ornaments,” Wagner said. “However, we also create larger-

Master Glassblower April Wagner is the owner of Epiphany Studios, Michigan’s premier state-of-the-art glassblowing studio and gallery in Pontiac. than-life, iconic and place-making sculptures installed all over the country, and these larger projects require a lot of space to create them. Our new addition will provide us with the perfect amount of space.” Wagner added that women who work in any space they’re in bring a much-needed vibrancy. “We [add] a unique voice to this medium and material and ... women shouldn’t ever shortchange their power to speak to what inspires them and having a voice at the table or in the room I think means you have to put yourself out there and be proud of what you’re doing,” she said. “Epiphany Studios has been a valued and integral part of Pontiac’s cultural and economic fabric for 25 years, and we are thrilled by this exciting addition to their facility,” said Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel. “I really want our studio to become a destination,” said Wagner. “Epiphany is an important component to the budding arts scene in Pontiac and throughout southeast Michigan.” An Epiphany Studios glass Wagner has created glass art for a range of local and blowing masterpiece national clients. Her large-scale installations have found permanent homes at Huntington Place (formerly Cobo Hall) in Detroit, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, the Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts in Pontiac, and most recently at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. For more information on Epiphany Studios, visit their website at epiphanyglass.com.

The healthcare industry is forecasted to grow continuously into the year 2030 and beyond. There will always be a need for persons in this industry. Healthcare occupations are numerous and there is a shortage in some areas. This might allow you to be selective or bargain for a higher wage. Some positions offer a signing bonus. Positions in the healthcare industry that you might consider: Physician Nurse Phlebotomist X-Ray Technician Dentist Dental Hygienist Dental Assistant Physical Therapist Home-health care aide Our society will always need: Social Workers Police Officers Plumbers Electricians Maybe you have not considered: Elevator Installer or repair person Commercial pilot Air traffic controller Aircraft Avionics Equipment Mechanic and Technician Building inspector Radiology technician Welder

If you are creative, you might consider Artist Graphic designer Video producer You want the job... When applying for a position, be sure you are prepared. Indeed.com says you should: • Research the company (so you know something about the company you are asking to hire you) • Show some interest and share your knowledge with a comment or two. • Practice answers to common interview questions Review how you might answer a question you feel might be asked. • Study the job description. Be sure you understand the requirements even if you do not meet all of them. • Be prepared to provide examples of your work. Some interviewers might want to see samples of your writing or awards. • Dress properly. Plan your interview attire the night before. Do not over or under dress for the occasion. • Remember, you are there to sell yourself and convince the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job. • Put your best foot ---and face forward. • Follow up the interview with a thank you note.

OAKLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK

OAKLAND COUNTY’S PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Oakland Community Health Network provides excellent employment opportunities with competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. The positive work environment encourages innovation and accountability while providing many opportunities for professional development.

Please visit oaklandchn.org for more career information.

SERVING INDIVIDUALS WITH: • Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities • Mental Health Challenges • Substance Use Disorders

www.oaklandchn.org Non-emergency ACCESS 248-464-6363

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“Education means emancipation. It means light and liberty. It means the uplifting of the soul of man into the glorious light of truth, the light by which men can only be made free.” - Frederick Douglass, Blessings of Liberty and Education. Speech. 1894

Inside: Tips on Enrollment, Money and College Life! Preparation Awaits Opportunity

Open the Door to Your Career

2015

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character- that is the goal of true education” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2018

Inside: Tips on Enrollment, Money and College Life!

2014

Inside: Tips on Enrollment, Money and College Life!

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.

- Malcolm X

2019 FOLLOW YOUR DREAM…PURSUE YOUR INTERESTS… IN OUR WORLD THERE IS DIVERSITY 2020 The Quad is published in February and September to share information about career choices, job opportunities and inspirational stories to encourage you and guide you. Your future is in front of you. You have to take the

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UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE PROGRAMS TO PREPARE YOU… TO PROPELL YOU…

IN OUR SCHOOLS | ON OUR JOBS | IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Look inside for helpful information to help you prepare for your career.

Diversity and inclusion says everyone is welcome; everyone is important; everyone contributes. With diversity, our experiences in school and at work lead to better dialogue, better decisions and better development to exist in a multi-cultural, multi-plistic society.

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