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Perkins Postsecondary Career & Technical Education

Perkins Postsecondary Career & Technical Education

Overview

Workforce Development provides administrative oversight for the Perkins Postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program while the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education administers the Secondary (K-12) Perkins Career and Technical Education Program.

What is the goal of the postsecondary program?

The primary goal is to improve postsecondary CTE programs, which lead to the academic and technical skill competencies necessary for individuals to work in a technologically advanced society.

  • Provide technical assistance to develop new occupational programs.
  • Improve career guidance and counseling activities.
  • Upgrade skills and competencies of occupational education faculty and staff.
  • Improve accountability measures.
  • Improve the transition of students between secondary, community colleges, four-year educational institutions and the workplace.

More about the program

What benefits does the program provide?

The Perkins Postsecondary CTE program benefits students on many levels:

  • Promotes and supports student access, retention and completion of a postsecondary career and technical education program.
  • Prepares students to obtain a high-skill, high-wage, in-demand career.
  • Prepares students for employment in current or emerging occupations requiring less than a bachelor's degree.

How is the program administered?

This program is a partnership between the State of Michigan and community colleges and universities, offering two-year occupational degrees. The program provides resources and technical assistance to community colleges and universities receiving Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education annual awards in order to meet the occupational career goals of students and the needs of industry.

How is this program funded?

Funding is provided to the 28 community colleges, three (3) public universities and one (1) tribal college to improve career and technical education programs by supporting professional development, program improvement, curriculum development, evaluation/assessment and support services. A list of colleges that are Perkins Award recipients is listed in the Perkins Postsecondary Career & Technical Education program overview.

CTE resources

  • Logo for the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), showing the acronym “ACTE” in large blue letters with a sweeping green curved line around the right side.

    Michigan ACTE Online Learning Center

    Visit the MI CTE Learn portal for a collection of free resources, professional development courses, and more, designed to support CTE administrators, educators, and staff across Michigan.

  • Close-up of a teacher guiding a student as they examine and assemble a small wheeled robot, pointing out electronic components while another student works in the background at a desk with tools.

    CTE student videos

    View and share CTE student videos designed to recruit students into CTE programs.

  • Graphic for CTE Month featuring a shield-shaped emblem with the letters “CTE” and the word “Month,” above the text “Career & Technical Education Month” on a blue geometric background.

    CTE Month

    Learn more about CTE Month and listen to the CTE Podcast competition winning submissions!

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Perkins students may be eligible to receive food assistance benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Information on this opportunity is available through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.

 

Visit the Food Assistance page on the MDHHS website

Postsecondary policy resources

Postsecondary data resources

Perkins Postsecondary staff

Contact person Title Phone number Email address
Keenan Wade State Administrative Manager 517-243-0161 WadeK@michigan.gov
Nolan Lienhart Departmental Specialist 517-647-9441 LienhartN@michigan.gov
Virginia Zimmerman Departmental Specialist 517-449-8900 ZimmermanV@michigan.gov
Chelsey Goodrich Reporting Specialist 989-721-9168 GoodrichC4@michigan.gov
Judy Becker Departmental Analyst 517-526-5781 BeckerJ@michigan.gov
Neco Jackson Departmental Analyst 517-599-0795 JacksonN13@michigan.gov
Anita Scott Administrative Support 517-927-4356 ScottA23@michigan.gov

Contact us

If you have questions, please send them to LEO-MiCC@michigan.gov.

CTE Equity Statement: All students, regardless of race, gender, culture/ethnicity, language, disability, sexual orientation, family background, and socioeconomic status, have fair, impartial, and accessible, high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE Programs. Programs will be aligned to rigorous academic and technical standards, and career-ready practices through access to CTE educational resources, support services at the right moment in their education, to accomplish their individual, educational, and career goals.