Five university leaders tell House panel sustained state funding, scholarships and research support are critical to workforce and enrollment goals

Lansing — Presidents and student representatives from five public universities told the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee for Higher Education and Community Colleges on April 23, 2025, that continued state support — especially for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and operating increases — is essential to sustain enrollment growth, workforce training and university research capacity.

The testimony, delivered by Northern Michigan University, Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, Oakland University and Lake Superior State University, emphasized how state and federal investments help recruit and retain students, support transfer pathways and place graduates into in-state jobs. Speakers also warned that federal proposals to cap indirect research costs could reduce research activity and its economic returns.

Northern Michigan University students and President Brock Tessman said state programs have directly expanded access and supported student retention. Bennett Klosner, a junior in NMU’s Mechanical Engineering Technology program, described a straightforward transfer experience and close faculty mentoring. “If I have a question in the middle of the night, it’s to the point where I can shoot them a text, and they’ll…