TCAPS, Michigan Tech Ink Partnership

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) announced on Tuesday that it had signed new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Michigan Tech University (MTU). The MOU formalizes a partnership between the two institutions, as well as a shared commitment “to explore and develop collaborative opportunities, deepen engagement in areas of mutual expertise, and promote educational opportunities and career exploration for students enrolled in the TCAPS SCI-MA-TECH Program.” Additionally, the MOU will provide SCI-MA-TECH students with a $1,000 renewable scholarship if they choose to attend MTU after graduating from TCAPS.

In a press release announcing the partnership, John Lehman – vice president of university relations and enrollment for MTU – praised the SCI-MA-TECH program as “unique in both its real-world relevance and rigor.” SCI-MA-TECH is the name for TCAPS’ enhanced science, math, and technology program, described by the district as “a rigorous curriculum that engages students through participation in exciting and innovative explorations designed to fully prepare them for success in post-secondary education and beyond.”

Lehman added: “These are incredibly talented, dedicated students and the establishment of this scholarship pathway is in recognition of both their academic achievements to date as well as their capacity to succeed at MTU. Formalizing our partnership with TCAPS is another demonstration of MTU’s commitment to educational collaboration with the Grand Traverse Area and all of the new energy and momentum that has been building in recent years.”

MTU has previously displayed its growing interest and investment in the Grand Traverse region by entering into MOUs with other entities and organizations in the area. Last March, the university entered into an MOU with Traverse Bay Intermediate School District (TBAISD), specifically aimed at forging a connection between MTU and the Manufacturing Tech program at TBAISD’s Career-Tech Center.

The year before, MTU formalized a partnership with the Grand Traverse area that connected the university with Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), NMC’s Great Lakes Maritime Academy and Great Lakes Water Studies Institute programs, and 20Fathoms – among other local organizations and businesses. Also in 2019, NMC signed seven articulation agreements with MTU, with a goal of creating a pathway for NMC engineering students to transfer to MTU and complete their degrees there.