Davenport University joined private colleges and universities from across the state Wednesday to encourage legislators to continue to support of the Michigan Tuition Grant as part of the Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities (MICU) Advocacy Day in Lansing.

Staff and students met with several state senators, representatives and Gov. Snyder to showcase the value of nonprofit private colleges and universities, share student success stories and discuss the impact of the grant. Also, DU President Richard Pappas, Ed.D., shared his perspective on the impact of nonprofit private higher education in a column published in the Detroit News yesterday. Dr. Pappas serves as the chair of the executive committee of MICU.

“Our student-centered approach to education with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-1 provides personalized attention and assistance that other institutions cannot, both in and out of the classroom,” Pappas wrote. “This is especially important for students who come from lower income families or who may lack a strong support system at home.”

The Michigan Tuition Grant was established to provide state residents increased access to higher education. The grant is available to undergraduate students at nonprofit private institutions based on financial need. Across Michigan, more than 114,000 students are enrolled in a MICU institution and approximately one in four undergraduate students receive the Michigan Tuition Grant.