Community
About Mid
Mid Michigan College Helps Students Find Their Path and Move Forward
Community Impact Series
A college education is about more than earning a credential. It is about opening doors, building confidence, discovering possibilities, and creating a future that once may have felt out of reach.
Every student who comes to Mid Michigan College arrives with a different story. Some are beginning their educational journey for the first time. Some are returning after years away. Some are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities while pursuing a goal they have carried for years.
No matter where students begin, Mid helps them move forward.
“Mid has opened doors, shaped my future, and helped me gain confidence in my calling,” said Meradith Anderson, a Mid student. “I’ll graduate with my associate degree and still have connections with the people who helped me get here.”
More than 2,000 students attend Mid each year from the Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison, and Mt. Pleasant school districts. They come to Mid seeking opportunities to start careers, continue their education, build new skills, and achieve goals that matter to them and their families.
For many students, access and flexibility make those goals possible.
“With the College close to home, flexible online options, and smaller class sizes, I’m able to manage my responsibilities while continuing my education,” said Ryan Cutler, a Mid student.
Through programs such as Michigan Reconnect and the Community College Guarantee, Mid helps make higher education more accessible for eligible students. More than 800 students are currently using Michigan Reconnect, which provides tuition-free community college opportunities for eligible Michigan residents age 21 and older. More than 480 students are also using the Community College Guarantee, a scholarship opportunity for eligible recent high school graduates.
For students beginning their college journey early, Dual Enrollment provides an opportunity to explore career pathways, earn college credit, and build confidence before graduating from high school. More than 400 students from Mid’s in-district service area participate in Dual Enrollment each year.
But access alone is not enough. Students also need support, encouragement, and people who help them navigate challenges along the way.
“Mid is more than just a college for many of us,” said Liv Lumbert, a Mid student. “It’s a second home, a place of love and support, and a place where we know we belong.”
Through mentoring, advising, academic support, counseling, wellness resources, accommodations, and other services, Mid provides students with connections and resources that help them continue making progress toward their goals.
“Students come to Mid with dreams and goals, but they also come with responsibilities, questions, and challenges,” said Kati Sellers, Director of Mentoring & Advising at Mid Michigan College. “Our role is to help students identify what they need, connect them with resources, and remind them they don’t have to navigate their journey alone.”
For some students, unexpected challenges can create barriers that make continuing their education difficult. Through resources such as the Student Emergency Fund and campus food pantry, Mid helps students navigate difficult moments and stay focused on completing their education.
“Students bring their whole selves to college. They are balancing academics with work, family, finances, and personal challenges,” said Amy Campbell, Director of Counseling & Wellness at Mid Michigan College. “Providing support, connection, and a place where students feel seen and valued can make all the difference in helping them continue moving toward their goals.”
Mid also provides dedicated support for veterans through the Veterans Resource Center, helping those who have served successfully transition into higher education and pursue their next goals.
For students like Shane Horton, education represents possibility at any age.
“I wanted to share my story to remind others that education is never out of reach,” said Horton. “With the right support and a willingness to show up, progress is possible at any stage of life.”
These stories represent just a few of the thousands of students who choose Mid each year. Behind every student is a unique journey—and behind every journey is a community of faculty, staff, and supporters committed to helping students succeed.
Understanding the Headlee Override
This November, Mid Michigan College is asking voters to consider restoring its originally voter-approved millage rate of 1.5 mills. Over time, the Headlee Amendment has reduced the College's millage rate to 1.2071 mills. Restoring the millage would add 0.2929 mills, or approximately $0.29 per $1,000 of taxable property value, resulting in more than $1.3 million in annual funding to support the College's mission and the communities it serves.
The proposal will appear on ballots in the Beaverton, Clare, Farwell, Gladwin, Harrison, and Mt. Pleasant school districts, which together make up Mid Michigan College's in-district service area. Residents of the district benefit from Mid's lower in-district tuition rate and are eligible to serve on the College's Board of Trustees.
This funding supports educational programs and student services—including supports for students who are finding their way to a brighter future.
Without this vital funding, program growth, service expansion, and the College's long-term stability are at risk. For most homeowners, the Headlee Override would cost approximately $2 per month and provide funding that supports the education of thousands of students, workforce training for regional employers, and programs and services that strengthen the communities Mid serves.
