The annual Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach Conference (PCC) brings together leaders in education, workforce development, and government from around the state to cast a spotlight on the important role postsecondary institutions and community partners play in promoting college access.

The theme this year is Inclusion and Innovation in College Access: Cultivating Michigan Youth. We are inviting scholars, researchers and practitioners to examine the challenges to postsecondary attainment and success, explore opportunities to address these issues, and share the impact of promising approaches.

The Keynote speaker this year will be Dr. Kedra Ishop, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. She is a nationally recognized expert, speaker, and advisor on issues in higher education related to diversity, affordability, assessment, admissions, and enrollment.

This annual one day conference rotates among colleges and universities across the state. Representatives from many colleges and universities, as well as other community partners, contribute to its planning.

Postsecondary education remains the best way for youth to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in our evolving global landscape. While 70% of jobs in Michigan now require training beyond high school, the state lags behind the nation’s average for college attainment and fewer than a quarter of the state’s high school graduates are college-ready.