Wayne State

The brand-new Michigan Community College Guarantee opens a whole new pathway for Schoolcraft College students seeking to transfer to Wayne State University for their bachelor’s degree.

The partnership between Schoolcraft College and Wayne State University provides students with a seamless pathway to transfer up to three years’ worth of credits from Schoolcraft toward a bachelor’s degree. This collaboration not only offers significant cost savings but also includes the added benefit of the Community College Guarantee, making it an even more attractive option. Students can save both time and money while benefiting from dedicated support and advising to help them achieve their academic and career goals. Add the fact that students can also take several Wayne State University classes right on Schoolcraft College’s campus makes this partnership between the two institutions more valuable than ever.

Students not receiving a Pell Grant taking 15 credits/semester their first two years can have their tuition and fees – which total more than $5,200/year at current rates – completely covered by the state under the new Community College Guarantee. That program covers in-district tuition and fees for recent high school graduates at their local community college.

Once students complete an associate degree or their Michigan Transfer Agreement endorsement, several Wayne State programs allow students to continue taking courses at Schoolcraft College before transferring. If students can remain at Schoolcraft College, they can continue applying the Community College Guarantee, allowing them to remain taking classes under the program.

“Never has there been a better time for students seeking a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University through the transfer pathway via Schoolcraft College. With the funds from the State of Michigan available at various points during their academic career, our students are truly set up for success,” said Lisa Brooker, Director of Financial Aid for Schoolcraft College. “With our strong partnership, students can even take Wayne State classes right here on our campus.”

Once students transfer to Wayne State, they can apply for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides up to $5,500 towards tuition. Furthermore, students may be eligible for a Wayne State merit scholarship, which can further improve affordability. Overall, non-Pell Grant students can save more than $21,000 over four years by taking advantage of the transfer pathway to Wayne State.

Students eligible for Pell Grants can save even more: students can receive refunds from their Pell Grant during each of their first two semesters while they earn an associate degree, as well as an additional $1,000 as a part of the Community College Guarantee. Some types of aid, including Pell Grants, will only pay for courses in a student’s current academic program. The Community College Guarantee will allow students to take other courses that will transfer and apply toward a bachelor’s degree.

From there, students can utilize the Community College Guarantee and Michigan Achievement Scholarship for their third and four years.

“We have valued our partnership with Schoolcraft College over the years. Having students take classes in Livonia and making it as easy as possible to transfer to earn their bachelor’s degree is an important relationship between our two institutions,” said Charles Cotton III, Ed.D., Vice Provost of Enrollment Management for Wayne State. “We look forward to seeing students explore their options with these new opportunities and continue their education here at Wayne State University.”

For more information on the Schoolcraft-Wayne State partnership and transfer opportunities, visit https://wayne.edu/transfer/community-college/schoolcraft.

She wants to use plants to reduce overall carbon footprint

When Katelynn Haygood talks about making a positive impact on the environment through science, it’s not just a lot of hot air.

“I am passionate about reducing the overall carbon footprint of urban cities through fauna (plants),” said Haygood, a Schoolcraft College graduate who is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies at Wayne State University.

“I hope that I can use my degree to go into conservation research and become a conservation scientist. I want to accomplish a way to lower the CO2 amount humans produce and improve the overall air quality through bio-engineering plants.”

Katelynn Haygood was selected for a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) Fellowship at the University of Michigan. UROP is a year-long academic experience that engages students in research, scholarly and creative inquiry.

This impressive goal had its start at Schoolcraft College. Haygood, who was born in Detroit and grew up in Livonia, wanted to earn an Associate Degree before transferring to a four-year school.

“(Going to Schoolcraft College) also gave me time to figure out what I want to study and do in the future,” she said. “Having the freedom to take classes that aren’t on a linear path is very encouraging when I was a teenager. I didn’t know what I wanted to do and taking a class that interested me helped me figure it out.”

Haygood was careful to balance her job with her studies. She started at Schoolcraft College in the fall of 2016 and graduated in the winter of 2020 with her Associate in Science Degree.

“When I was going to Schoolcraft, I only went part time to balance it,” she said. “I always put school first to not let my grades slip, so if that meant I had to work less hours then I would. Now that I go to school full time at Wayne State, I only work weekends. I still will request time off near midterms in order to study hard. My family is very supportive of my education and help any way they can.”

In addition to her family’s support, Haygood appreciated the support she received at Schoolcraft College.

“There is a huge support staff at Schoolcraft,” she said. “The professors were always there to talk to me when I needed help and lead me to opportunities that later would help me end up where I am today.”

One of those opportunities included the UROP Fellowship at the University of Michigan. UROP stands for Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. It’s a year-long academic experience that engages students in research, scholarly and creative inquiry.

English Professor Helen Ditouras helped Haygood make the connection.

“I hope more people take advantage of the opportunities at Schoolcraft, whether it’s trying a new interest or taking advantage of all the programs the institution has to offer.”
Katelynn Haygood

“UROP is a wonderful opportunity for students to work in a prestigious setting like U of M to advance their research goals,” Professor Ditouras said. “Several of my students have completed the fellowship over the years and have had overwhelmingly positive experiences.”

Haygood agrees. She attended during the summer of 2019.

“It was a great experience; I am so grateful for professor Ditouras for telling me about it and writing me a letter of recommendation,” Haygood said. “Due to the pandemic everything was virtual so it was a little isolating, but U of M tried hard to make everyone feel welcome with Zoom meetings and weekly activity.

“The program helps transition students from a community college to a university. It also gets them experience in the career path they might want. All the professors there made a huge impact by guiding me and being great mentors.

“I even came back that winter just as a mentor to help other UROP students adjust to the virtual experience. It was that experience that led me to my grant now with Wayne State doing research.”

And it all started with her hometown college.

“I hope more people take advantage of the opportunities at Schoolcraft, whether it’s trying a new interest or taking advantage of all the programs the institution has to offer,” Haygood said. “It can open more paths than you are aware of at the time. Schoolcraft is a great place to get out of your comfort zone and find yourself and have so much support behind you.”