Two local colleges are working to bring affordable nursing programs to southwest Michigan students with the help of a $2 million grant from the state's Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential.

Using the grant, Southwestern Michigan College will partner with Andrews University to support bachelor’s students at SMC’s Dowagiac campus. The grant will help make career advancements more affordable for nursing graduates, said Dr. Melissa Kennedy, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Services.

Funding for the grant comes from the department’s Office of Sixty by 30, whose goal is to increase the number of working-age adults with a college degree or skill certificate from 50.5% to 60% by 2030, according to its website.

Over the next three years, SMC will put the money toward recruitment into the nursing program, improving student support services, hiring an advisor to help students with the RN-to-BSN path and updating technology and classrooms. Students should start seeing these efforts by the fall 2024 semester.

Incoming or current students wanting to apply for the SMC School of Nursing and Health Services can click here to learn more.