About Michigan Colleges Alliance

Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) works to strengthen the shared capacity of 14 leading independent, four-year colleges and universities grounded in a liberal arts and sciences tradition, to broaden college choice and access in Michigan, and foster career outcomes for MCA graduates.

A Distinctive Brand of Education

MCA members provide a high quality, values-guided education in the liberal arts and sciences tradition. Our member campuses represent smaller, nurturing environments that encourage self-discovery, leadership, ethical values, critical thinking, global intelligence, and civic engagement.

While individually our campuses are smaller, collectively, MCA is the “third largest university” in the state. MCA campuses currently enroll more than 41,000 students, studying in virtually every field and discipline. As a group, MCA institutions lead the state in both four-year graduation rates and minority student enrollment. Over 70 percent of our students are Michigan residents, and the majority remains in Michigan after graduation.

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Focus of Our Work

The work of Michigan Colleges Alliance focuses on three areas: building awareness among students and other stakeholders about educational options offered within the collective, enhancing affordability for students attending our campuses, and connecting students to fulfilling Michigan career opportunities, both during their education and after graduation.

Marketing and Enrollment

MCA develops programs to create greater awareness and facilitate “best fit” options for students, based on the distinctive advantages of our member colleges and universities.

Programs include: We Are The Independents collective marketing campaign, Google Course Sharing Pilot, Smaller Colleges, Big Opportunities College Fair, Third 90 Network, SAGE Scholars Tuition Rewards partnership, collective on-the-ground and virtual college fairs, student and parent receptions, campus roadtrips, among others.

Scholarship and Investment

MCA has raised more than $80 million in scholarship and operating support from business and individual donors who are passionate about our schools. We have awarded more than 5,000 scholarships to help students and families with the cost of a college education, while raising significant investment for other mission critical activities of our members.

Programs include: Michigan Scholarship Fund, Independent Innovators Network, Kalamazoo Promise, Folds of Honor Scholarships, Affinity Scholarships, Corporate Partners Program, sponsored proprietary research.

Learn More About Our Current Scholarships

Talent and Corporate Relations

MCA connects young talent to major Michigan employers to retain graduates and provide a talent acquisition service to our investment partners. MCA also convenes member presidents and talent leaders to discuss talent development and workforce readiness strategies to ensure MCA students are prepared to meet the needs of Michigan employers.

Programs include: Concierge Career Connection, Mackinac Roundtable on Talent, Center for Advancing Student Outcomes, project collaboration with Michigan businesses, signature MCA research, and other special programs.

Our Team

Meet the MCA Board of Trustees, Presidents Council and Staff.

Meet the Board of Trustees

Meet the Presidents Council

Meet the MCA Staff

Help Strengthen Michigan Private Higher Education And Its Impact On Our State

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MCA Partners

Partners in affordability, access and student success