We’re working together to help more adults in Northern Michigan earn the skills and credentials they need to succeed. Thanks to a Sixty by 30 grant secured by Northwestern Michigan College and Northwest Michigan Works!, our goal is to raise educational attainment in our region from 49% to 60% by 2030.
The grant funds new staff and marketing support to help showcase career pathways for students and employees across the region.
Grant Leadership Team
Laura Stevens, Director of Extended Education, Northwestern Michigan College
Lisa vonReichbauer, Director of Admissions, Northwestern Michigan College
Lisa Schut, Regional Director of Policy & Resource Management, Northwest Michigan Works!
Grant Program Team
Elizabeth Sonnabend, Program Manager, Northwestern Michigan College
Heather VanStratt, Grant Manager & Community Coordinator, Northwestern Michigan College & Northwest Michigan Works!
Shirl Martin, Student Navigator, Northwestern Michigan College
Amy Shamroe, Industry Navigator, Northwestern Michigan College & Northwest Michigan Works!
Krista McCarty, Marketing Coordinator, Northwestern Michigan College
Sixty by 30 in the News
There are a number of people and partners that helped make the grant happen and work toward the shared goal of elevating Michigan’s workforce:
- Getting the word out about Sixty by 30 (October 2025, Record Eagle)
- Training Fair Open House (October 2025, Record Eagle)
- State grants to fund personalized skill and degree attainment pathways (May 2025, Northwestern Michigan College)
- Michigan’s Sixty by 30 Goal