Michigan Higher Education Attainment Roundtable Total Talent Report

In 2005, the Cherry Commission report set an agenda for Michigan higher education attainment. In 2014, after a 10-year hiatus, stakeholders in Michigan’s decentralized higher education policy community voluntarily rejoined with the Governor, Key Cabinet Agencies, and the Michigan Department of Education to take stock of progress and lay out a blueprint for continued action. The Postsecondary Credential Attainment Workgroup released its 2015 report Reaching for Opportunity, and went to work to implement the report’s recommendations. In recent years, the Workgroup has continued its collaboration under the sponsorship of the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) as the Michigan Higher Education Attainment Roundtable (MIHEART).

One of the goals of the group is to continue to drive attention and action to this vital talent attainment agenda. To periodically take stock of progress, consider how best to advance current efforts, as well as new work—all dedicated to helping Michigan realize a goal of 60% of its people earning valuable postsecondary education credentials by 2025, and make Michigan a

talent leader.

This report lays out the progress and accomplishments to date, reflects on Michigan’s Talent Attainment performance, looks ahead and offers a call to action and a “total talent” state agenda for ensuring all our citizens get the education and skills to succeed in the economy of today and tomorrow.