Kettering University Joins Michigan Colleges Alliance, Strengthening Workforce Development

Kettering University has been welcomed as the newest member of the Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA), a consortium of independent colleges and universities committed to producing graduates who drive Michigan’s economy forward. This milestone is especially notable: Kettering is the second institution to be admitted to MCA in the past 50 years, and the first member to be admitted in over 15 years. 

The MCA is recognized for achieving some of the strongest student outcomes in the state, through initiatives such as the Kalamazoo Promise, high graduation rates and exceptional talent retention within Michigan. With Kettering’s nationally renowned Co-op education program and industry partnerships, this membership reinforces the Alliance’s position as a powerful engine for workforce and economic development.

“At Kettering University, our students do not merely graduate with a degree—they graduate with years of professional, industry-immersive experience, real-world problem-solving skills and demonstrated leadership,” said Dr. Robert K. McMahan, President of Kettering University. “Joining the Michigan Colleges Alliance affirms our shared commitment to innovation in education and to measurable student success. The Alliance’s work, from expanding access through the Kalamazoo Promise to pioneering scholarship initiatives such as the Bearcat Advantage, resonates with our mission to prepare students for lives of extraordinary leadership and service. Together, we will enhance educational opportunity across the state and advance Michigan’s leadership in technology, talent development and economic growth.”

Driving Workforce Readiness and Economic Impact

The Michigan Colleges Alliance facilitates programs that directly connect students with career opportunities and skill development. For example, the Cooperative Learning Collaborative (CLC) is a multi-disciplinary student cooperative education program that unites MCA institutions, signature employers, non-profit organizations, faculty and students to promote career readiness. Through a scaffolded approach over two academic sessions, students gain real-world work experience, leadership development and professional mentoring, while participating employers benefit from early access to top talent and faculty-guided projects that support their organizational needs.

“Kettering University is an ideal complement to our network,” Dr. Robert Bartlett, MCA President, added. “Its national leadership in post-graduate success is legendary. Kettering will strengthen immeasurably MCA’s work over many years in this space. I can think of no better partner institution to have in our group, as MCA members continue to innovate in producing career-ready college graduates for our state and beyond.”

Another key initiative, the Center for Advancing Student Outcomes (CASO), serves as an innovation incubator for out-of-classroom career learning. Launched in 2017, CASO has earned broad campus support as it spurs new programs to enhance student achievement. Programs launched with CASO’s support include a digital badging pilot in critical thinking, a Google Course Share Pilot connecting classrooms across multiple campuses and a collaboration with Harvard Business School Online to broaden business education opportunities. These collaborative initiatives reflect the Alliance’s commitment to educational innovation and high-impact student experiences that prepare graduates for success.

The Mackinac Roundtable on Talent, now in its 14th year, is a nationally acclaimed annual gathering hosted by MCA that brings together higher education leaders and employer executives in a talent development partnership. This unique gathering fosters cross-sector dialogue and collaboration in preparing today’s college students for successful career outcomes. More than 100 college and university presidents, as well as numerous C-Suite business leaders from over 35 states and Canada, regularly participate. The event takes place each summer at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

Collectively, MCA institutions represent a significant Michigan college student population and are distinguished by:

• High ROI outcomes: Students at MCA member schools graduate faster and more consistently than peers at other institutions, supported by four-year graduation rates that lead the state. They also achieve strong early-career earnings and long-term career growth, reflecting the value of an MCA education.
• Career readiness: Graduates are among the most employable in the region, benefiting from programs that emphasize real-world application and professional preparation (for example, mandatory Co-op terms and industry-sponsored projects).
• Workforce retention: Many MCA graduates remain in Michigan after graduation, fueling local industries and communities statewide. This retention of talent helps ensure that Michigan’s investment in education returns dividends to the state’s economy.

Kettering University enhances these collective strengths with its hallmark 50/50 Co-op education model, which requires every undergraduate to alternate between rigorous academic coursework and full-time employment in their field. This approach ensures that Kettering graduates enter the workforce not only with deep academic knowledge but also with substantial professional experience, a combination that accelerates careers from day one. By integrating this proven model with MCA’s network, Kettering will help broaden experiential learning opportunities for students across Michigan.

A Commitment to Michigan’s Future

Through this partnership, Kettering will collaborate with MCA to:

• Expand talent pipelines in high-demand industries, including advanced manufacturing, automotive and mobility technology, health sciences and business, by connecting skilled students and graduates with leading employers in these sectors.
• Elevate Michigan’s competitive advantage by graduating leaders who are both technically skilled and strategically minded, ready to drive innovation and growth in the state’s economy.
• Strengthen community and economic vitality by increasing the number of graduates who remain in-state after graduation, applying their expertise locally and contributing to Michigan’s ongoing development and quality of life.

“We are excited to partner with the Michigan Colleges Alliance to open new pathways for students across Michigan,” said Matt Fortescue, Director of Enrollment at Kettering University. “As one of the state’s top private universities, Kettering delivers a powerful education that combines personal attention with nationally recognized outcomes. Our Co-op model aligns perfectly with MCA’s programming. With strong Co-op partnerships across Michigan, nationally and internationally, this collaboration expands access, supports affordability and connects students to top career opportunities.”

About Michigan Colleges Alliance: Michigan Colleges Alliance is a collective of nine leading independent colleges and universities located throughout the state. Established in 1949, MCA focuses on broadening college access and choice, enhancing affordability through scholarships, and connecting students to fulfilling careers via statewide corporate partnerships. The vast majority of students attending MCA member institutions are from Michigan and typically remain in the state after graduation. By uniting the strengths of its member schools, MCA serves as a powerful engine for talent development, workforce readiness, and economic vitality across the state.