U‑M Flint cites enrollment growth, HRSA nursing grant and requests support for student success hub

Lawrence Alexander, chancellor of the University of Michigan Flint, updated the appropriations subcommittee on enrollment gains, federal grant awards and campus priorities, and asked the legislature to support a proposed student success hub.

Alexander said U‑M Flint saw the largest percentage enrollment increase among state universities last fall, reporting just over 6,500 students and enrollment increases continuing into winter. He highlighted a nearly $4 million Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to address nursing shortages in Michigan’s Thumb region (Huron, Lapeer, Sanilac and Tuscola counties) and described the campus’s expanded Go Blue Guarantee eligibility, which the campus reported will cover families with incomes up to $125,000 beginning fall 2025.

The chancellor noted the university awarded about $10.7 million in scholarships last year, including roughly $3.3 million from the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. He said state support also enables on‑campus affordability and maintenance of facilities; Alexander requested legislative funding for a proposed renovation of the library into a consolidated student success hub to centralize academic and student services.

A U‑M Flint student, Diane Tupper, addressed the committee about her experience, describing classroom research opportunities, practicum work with a Latinx center and how the university’s supports helped her pursue a master’s degree.

Ending: Alexander thanked the committee, asked for continued support for enrollment growth and student success investments, and agreed to provide detailed follow‑up on any federal grant impacts if requested.