MACKINAC ISLAND – For years state
policymakers, business executives and political observers have worried about
the out-migration of young people from Michigan. A study released by Michigan’s
three research university suggests one answer to the issue may be to have young
people graduate from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan or
Wayne State University.
The study released by the University
Research Corridor group showed that a student who graduated from a Michigan
college, particularly one of the three research universities, was far more
likely to stay in Michigan after graduation.
The study showed that some 60
percent of graduates of Michigan universities, especially state natives, were
still living in Michigan 10 years after they graduated.
Patrick Anderson, president of the
Anderson Economic Group (which conducted the study) said a student from
Michigan who attends university here is three times more likely to stay in the
state than if they attend university in another state.
He also said the study – which
compared the three state research universities to schools like Harvard,
Stanford, the University of Florida, and others – showed the three research
schools were tops in enrollment, tops in total degrees given and tops in
medical degrees.
Those facts are critical to helping
the state build the talent pool a variety of individuals, including Governor
Rick Snyder, have said at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Conference,
said U-M President Mark Schlissel, WSU President Roy Wilson and MSU President
Lou Anna Simon.
Schlissel said the overall quality
of education, the research opportunities and the “engaged learning”
helps attract students to the three schools.
Simon said it is also critical to
attract students from out-of-state. While most students at the three schools
are from Michigan, demographics indicate the in-state population of 18 to 25
years old over the next 10 years will decline. The three universities’ image
helps attract talented students from many different locales.
Wilson and Schlissel also said the
universities attract students with active social consciences. “They are
really into volunteerism,” Wilson said, and when engaged in similar
volunteering activities work well together.
And Simon said parents and students
want to have a value experience while at college, and look at that as an
attraction to attend the universities.
Those facts need to show legislators
and state policymakers to ensure they make long-term investments in higher
education. “We have a great system of higher education in Michigan,” Wilson said.
This story was published by Gongwer News Service. To
subscribe, click on www.gongwer.com
