The Oceana Community Foundation (OCF) and Muskegon Community College (MCC) formally signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. at MCC, reaffirming their shared commitment to helping Oceana County adults pursue the education and training needed to move forward in their careers and lives.
The updated MOU formalizes the organizations’ continued collaboration on the OCF’s Complete Your Degree (CYD) program, which helps adult students overcome financial and life challenges that can make it difficult to stay on track and complete a certificate or associate degree.
MCC President Dr. John Selmon and OCF CEO Tammy Carey signed the updated MOU and offered remarks about the program and its impact on Oceana County adults.
CYD goes beyond tuition assistance. Participants may receive financial assistance but also access to a success coach and help addressing life needs that may otherwise interrupt their education. The program is designed for adult learners balancing work, family and other responsibilities while pursuing a certificate or associate degree.
In its fourth year, the CYD program is currently supporting 16 students across three local institutions. To date, 12 students have graduated, earning degrees in nursing, machining, business administration and other high-demand fields.
“Education can change the trajectory of a person’s life, but sometimes life gets in the way of education,” Carey said. “The Complete Your Degree program is about recognizing those barriers and helping remove them. It’s not just about paying tuition. It’s about surrounding students with the resources, guidance and support they need to stay on their path and reach the finish line.”
Selmon said the partnership demonstrates the value of helping adult learners overcome challenges that extend beyond the classroom.
“MCC and OCF share a simple but important belief: adults in our communities deserve the opportunity to continue their education,” Selmon said. “Partnerships like this remind us that when we invest in people and give them a chance to finish what they started, we help create opportunities that can have a lasting impact on Oceana County for years to come.”
The renewed MOU represents an investment in Oceana County residents, educational attainment and workforce development, helping more local adults earn credentials that can lead to expanded career opportunities and greater economic stability.
