Starting with the Kalamazoo Promise, Michigan has played a key role in bringing higher education to students who could not otherwise afford it, helping them and enriching their communities.
John Austin
A guest author for Bridge Magazine.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | We need to rebuild our civic foundation: our education system
A crisis isn’t a time to think small. Michigan should revamp its education system, from child care to universities.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Why COVID-19 hit Michigan so hard
Michigan has the nation’s fifth-highest death toll, and more than three-quarters of coronavirus-related deaths have taken place in metro Detroit—the lifeblood of economic opportunity for many people of color.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Coronavirus exposes Midwest's economic perch; well-paying jobs are cure
“Should our life and politics ever return to ‘normal’, it must be a newly urgent undertaking for our leaders to focus squarely on tangible plans to create more better- paying, new jobs” in our communities.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Wanted: A winning message on immigration
President Trump cut off one of Michigan’s only sources of population growth — resettlement — but pure outrage and righteousness directed at his stance on immigrants can be polarizing.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Outgoing Michigan lawmakers should keep hands off our schools
Michigan voters elected Gretchen Whitmer, and she shouldn’t have her hands tied by outgoing Republicans, says the former president of the State Board of Education.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | November election critical for future of public education in Michigan
Candidates for governor have laid out plans for turning around Michigan’s failing schools. But only one has a plan that could succeed, argues the former Democratic president of the Michigan State Board of Education.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Freshwater coast is key to Michigan and ‘Rust Belt’ revival
The magic of the Great Lakes and freshwater coast may be one of the few things more powerful than today’s polarized politics
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan infrastructure rebuild can’t be borne by local communities
The Trump infrastructure plan reminds Michigan that many local governments can’t self-finance their own renewal
Posted inGuest Commentary
Robots don’t have to win: Michigan has what it takes to create jobs
In every fast growing sector linked to solving the world’s big challenges, Michigan has the expertise to show the way.