MiLEAP Announces $56 Million in ADN-to-BSN Completion Grants Awarded to Empower Students to Advance Nursing Careers

27 Michigan Community Colleges Funded to Partner with Universities and Expand Pathways to the Nursing Profession, Respond to Nursing Demand

LANSING, Mich. – Today, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is announcing recipients of $56 million in grants to help more students complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after receiving their associate degree in nursing (ADN). Grants were awarded to 27 Michigan community colleges to launch and grow programs that empower students to advance their careers in nursing through collaborative partnerships with four-year institutions.

“MiLEAP is committed to helping Michiganders as they pursue rewarding careers in high-demand fields and helping employers by building the talent pipeline for hard-to-fill jobs,” said Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “This investment creates more opportunities for individuals to join the nursing profession while addressing the critical nursing shortages facing our communities.”

Grant funds are accelerating the formation of strategic partnerships with Michigan four-year colleges and universities so that students can earn a bachelor’s in nursing from the four-year institution while attending classes on campus at their local community college. To be eligible, students must have already completed an associate degree in nursing or be currently enrolled and express a commitment to enrolling afterwards – or concurrently – in a bachelor’s in nursing program.

“This is a powerful example of how community colleges and universities are stepping up to meet the urgent workforce and healthcare needs of our communities,” said Michelle Richard, MiLEAP’s deputy director of Higher Education. “At MiLEAP, we are thrilled to support these kinds of collaborative partnerships that set up more students to achieve their educational and career goals and help strengthen our state’s workforce.”

“The ADN-to-BSN grant is helping LCC better prepare students for the nursing profession by providing funding to enhance lab and simulation equipment, strengthen curricula, and develop a new Simulation Center,” said Elizabeth Burger, dean of the Health and Human Services Division at Lansing Community College. “LCC has also partnered with the University of Michigan Flint to offer tuition scholarships to students who are concurrently enrolled in LCC’s ADN program and UM-Flint's BSN program, as well as for LCC ADN alumni.”

“SVSU is extremely proud to have developed partnerships with five community colleges – Alpena, Bay, Delta, Kirtland and Montcalm – on an ADN-to-BSN completion program,” said Dr. Marcia Ditmyer, dean of the College of Health & Human Services at Saginaw Valley State University. “We believe these strong partnerships provide easy access and affordability to a high-quality RN to BSN completion program, allowing them the convenience to continue their education along with balancing their home and work, in the communities they call ‘home.’ SVSU is strongly invested in developing these great partnerships and commits to making them successful and sustainable. SVSU promises to continue to explore future collaborative pathways for community college students as a means to serve and advance the profession by increasing the talent pipeline to address Michigan’s nursing shortage.”

“At Davenport University, we are committed to expanding access to nursing education and addressing the growing demand for highly skilled nurses,” said Dr. Amy Stahley, dean of the College of Health Professions at Davenport University. “This ADN-to-BSN grant plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers for Davenport students seeking to advance their careers, providing them with the resources and support necessary to transition seamlessly into a baccalaureate program. By investing in these students, we not only strengthen the nursing workforce but also improve patient care outcomes in the communities we serve.”

Full list of ADN-to-BSN grantees and four-year partners:

The ADN-to-BSN program is already beginning to make an impact across the state, with an increase in enrollment since its launch in 2023. As of Q4 2024, 674 students were enrolled in a BSN Completion program.