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Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives

The Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives provides students with academic support, leadership development, and community engagement opportunities in an inclusive environment to promote academic success. It offers high-quality programming and a holistic approach to student development for various populations of students from Flint and the broader community.

All programs are student-centered and designed to facilitate exposure and prepare youth for post-secondary education. 

  • GEAR UP works with Beecher and Hamady High Schools and Flint Community Schools to prepare students for the transition to high school and raise early awareness about college opportunities.
  • Michigan College/University Partnership Program works with students with academic and/or economic disadvantages who transfer from a community college.
  • Mpowering My Success provides a comprehensive support system to students who have experienced time in foster care.
  • Morris Hood, Jr. Educator Development works with students with academic and/or economic disadvantages studying to become a K-12 teacher.
  • KCP 4S Program works with students who encounter academic and economic barriers while pursuing a college degree. We support many first-generation college students and students from the local Flint community.

King-Chávez-Parks Programs

King-Chavez-Parks logo


In 1986, State Representative Morris Hood, Jr. garnered support for Public Act 219, legislation that would become the King-Chavez-Parks initiative. The KCP programs are inspired by the Civil Rights era and named to honor Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and César Chávez. UM-Flint has offered students the opportunity to participate in KCP programs since 1995. These programs were designed to benefit academically- or economically disadvantaged students enrolled at four-year public and independent educational institutions throughout Michigan. UM-Flint administers the KCP Visiting Professors Program, hosting visiting instructors and speakers to serve as role models for academically or economically disadvantaged students. For all of these programs, the State of Michigan funds the program and UM-Flint shares the costs. Mpowering My Success is funded through the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.

Available Scholarships

You must submit an application to be considered for one of the scholarships below. The Office of Educational Opportunity Initiatives will be accepting applications on a rolling basis. The priority deadline is May 31 each year for the upcoming fall semester. Please read the criteria on each of the Google Forms and complete them in their entirety to the best of your ability. If you run into any issues or have any questions, please email us at [email protected].

Intranet

This is the gateway to the UM-Flint Intranet for all faculty, staff, and students. The Intranet is where you can visit additional department websites to get more information, forms, and resources that will be of assistance to you.