Newswise — While some college students are flipping burgers to earn money or playing the summer away, 24 community college students whose ethnicity, family background or economic status puts them at risk for not being able to continue on to a four-year degree are on the campus of Michigan Technological University, learning ways to make sure they can get that degree. And they’re getting paid to do so.
MiCUP, the Michigan College and University Partnership, is designed to address the challenges that first-generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented minority students may face in the transition from community college to a four-year university. It gives these students a hands-on experience at a university level. They receive a scholarships for a three credit course and stipends as part of their research internship. Their room and board is also covered.
This year’s class--from Wayne County Community College, Grand Rapids Community College and Delta Community College--are doing research and taking classes in 17 different areas, including engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, business, psychology, archeology and media broadcasting. They take a 3-credit course in their specialty and spend 20 hours a week doing research.
The group also meets weekly to discuss academic resources, admissions, financial aid and other issues they may confront as they transfer to a four-year institution. And it’s not all work. On the weekends, the MiCUP students make the most of Michigan Tech’s spectacular natural surroundings on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, enjoying activities such as a high ropes challenge course and canoeing with the University’s Outdoor Adventures Program.
MiCUP has been working since 1996 to help community college students succeed at the university. Over the past decade, 18 MiCUP students have graduated from Michigan Tech with bachelor’s degrees, and another 16 MiCUP alumni are currently enrolled at the university.
MiCUP is sponsored by the King-Chávez-Parks Initiative of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, which named Michigan Tech’s MiCUP program the Best Practice Model in the state in 2008.
For more information, see http://www.diversitycenter.mtu.edu/outreach/micup/outreach-micup-about.php and http://www.mtu.edu/umc/services/pr-news/magazine/winter0910/stories/bridging-gap/
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