It is a real honor to be part of Oakland80, helping lead the team of Career and Education Navigators as they support people throughout the County who want to earn a college degree or skills certificate. I know from experience how hard this pursuit can be, but the rewards are life changing. 

I began my college career at Oakland Community College and completed it, at least for now, at Rochester University, both of which are Oakland80 partners. I have earned both Bachelor and Master’s Degrees and my desire is to go back to school for post-graduate studies at some point. I believe learning never ends. Regardless of the challenges, I have always enjoyed the process of pursuing and accomplishing something that will ultimately change my life.

While I was fortunate to grow up with both parents in the home, we did not have the means to afford a college education. So, after I exhausted my federal Pell grants and additional funds that came from the state, I had no other choice but to take out student loans. I did not want to incur an enormous amount of debt, but I was determined to get my education. I knew the opportunities to make a good living would increase if I graduated from college.

My oldest sister was the first person in my family to graduate from college. A few years later, my second oldest sister did the same. After she graduated, she was offered job opportunities that afforded her independence and would later have companies vying for her to work for them. She was able to choose the job she wanted that would offer the best pathway to success in her field. Seeing both my sisters thrive encouraged me to also attend and finish college.

I cannot say that the road to post-secondary education attainment has been easy, but it has definitely been worth it, and I wouldn’t be with the Oakland80 team had I not persevered through some of life’s most challenging times. Coincidentally, we are fortunate to be in the position to assist other adult learners while they are experiencing some of the most challenging times of their lives. When they come to us, they have already decided that something needs to change. They’re just unsure of how to get there, or maybe need a little extra support to reach the finish line.

I worked in the field of human and social services for a number of years, but joining the Oakland80 initiative was my foray into workforce development. In past positions, I assisted individuals with essential services, such as utility and eviction prevention assistance. In this position I assist them with obtaining a college education or skilled trade certification, which puts them in a position to no longer need outside assistance.

I have to pinch myself when I am talking to people about the educational opportunities and the supportive and barrier-removing services that are available to them. I actually get to make a living helping individuals remove some of the same barriers I had when I decided to pursue post-secondary education. The difference now is that there is a plethora of resources available to anyone who wants to pursue higher education, including those offered through Oakland80, Michigan Works!, and our partners. I am proof that this accomplishment pays off, opening a world of possibilities.

Recognizing an educated community is a thriving community, the City of Hazel Park partnered with its schools a decade ago to launch the Hazel Park Promise. 

Open to all students, the program awards resident graduates of high schools within the Hazel Park School District boundaries, by providing financial assistance to obtain a two-year degree or its equivalent at an eligible postsecondary school.

The Hazel Park Promise has been huge success from the start, with thousands of graduates taking advantage of the opportunity – more than 70 percent of each high school graduation class. The program provides students with up to $1,500 in tuition per semester or $6,000 over six years.  According to Moussa Traore, the program’s executive director, $100,000 in tuition scholarships are awarded annually.

The Hazel Park Promise also offers SAT prep classes to help prepare high school juniors for taking the college entrance exam; college advisors to help seniors with the college application process and applying for financial aid; postsecondary success coaches to provide academic,  social-emotional and personal support to graduates of Hazel Park High School during their time in college; and mentors from the community to help with the college transition and successful completion.

Funding for the program comes from the state, local fundraising efforts and private grants. In Michigan, Promise Zones are tax increment financing districts that can use a share of the growth of Michigan’s state property tax to pay for scholarships.

“Our mission is to help transform Hazel Park into a more college-going community – one that is an attractive destination for families,” Traore said.  “The scholarship program and other services we offer through the Hazel Park Promise are accomplishing that.”  

This year, program leaders have partnered with Oakland80 to expand the services provided to young people.  An Oakland80 career and education navigator works with approximately 100 seniors at the school district’s Advantage alternative high school to advise and provide college access support, such as assistance with the college application process and financial aid, arranging campus visits and other wraparound supports. 

The Oakland80 navigator also works with the 300+ older Hazel Park graduates who qualify for the Michigan Reconnect scholarship, designed to help young people ages 21 or older with finishing their Associates Degree or earning a skills certificate.  In addition to helping them enroll in classes, the Oakland80 team can provide students with an introduction to Oakland County Michigan Works!, where they can get help in obtaining books, equipment, transportation, childcare and other related needs not covered by the Reconnect funding or other tuition scholarships. 

“We’re very excited to be partnering with Oakland80,” Traore said.  “The career and education navigator helps even more students, both those in high school and many who graduated but did not take advantage of the scholarship, or started their post-secondary education, but then got sidetracked.  The Oakland80 team can help them finish.”

For those Hazel Park graduates who continue on to a four-year university, the program offers a junior and senior scholarship of an extra $500 toward their tuition.   It also covers the cost of up to four credit hours at Oakland Community College for students who want to take summer classes. 

Oakland80 Helps Resident Overcome Barriers in Pursuit of Education and Career Aspirations