The OH-MI Pathways Together: Advancing Student Success through Basic Needs initiative is a multi-year partnership between the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) and the OACC. The project supports twelve community colleges (six in Michigan and six in Ohio) in implementing an evidence-based Ideal Model for addressing student basic needs in ways that measurably improve student success outcomes.
The participating colleges will receive a stipend and structured support from subject-matter experts, peer coaches, and cross-state learning networks. Through this initiative, colleges will design centralized basic needs hubs, strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations, integrate state and federal benefit programs, and use data to understand which supports most effectively remove barriers to student success.
Timeline & Goals
Starting in June 2026 and running through Fall 2028, the objective of this project is to increase college completion and career success among community college graduates by offering evidence-based basic needs services at scale that lead to increased student success.
Learn & Plan
Kickoff Convening
Introduce the initiative, build relationships, and align on goals and expectations.
8-Part Webinar Series
Build knowledge and skills across the five components of the Ideal Model.
Planning & Advisory Boards
Develop implementation plans and form advisory boards to guide the work.
Data & Assessment Foundation
Assess current systems and identify services and outcomes to track.
Implement
Implement the Ideal Model
Execute all five components to strengthen the student basic needs supports.
Coaching & Technical Assistance
Receive ongoing support from coaching colleges and Sova.
Build & Strengthen Partnerships
Deepen collaboration with community-based organizations and public agencies.
Track & Use Data
Monitor service usage and link data to DFW rates, retention, and student success.
Evaluate, Share, & Scale
Evaluate Impact
Analyze outcomes and refine strategies to improve results.
Share & Celebrate
Develop the Basic Needs Playbook, college spotlights, and share successes.
Disseminate & Scale
Share lessons and tools across Ohio, Michigan, and the broader field.
Sustain the Work
Embed practices and partnerships to ensure long-term impact.
Partners
In partnership with the Michigan Community College Association and Sova, generously funded by the ECMC Foundation.
Ohio Colleges
- Columbus State Community College
- Northwest State Community College
- Rhodes State College
- Sinclair Community College
- Stark State College
- Washington State College of Ohio
Michigan Colleges
- Bay College
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Lake Michigan College
- Monroe County Community College
- Oakland Community College
Coaching Colleges
- Lorain County Community College
- Owens Community College
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Muskegon Community College
The Ideal Model for Student Basic Needs
Proactively Identify Students
Use institutional data and intentional communication strategies to identify and connect students with resources before basic needs challenges become barriers to success.
Build Community Partnerships
Develop sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations that expand access to housing, transportation, mental health, childcare, food assistance, and other essential supports.
Integrate Public Benefits
Connect students with federal and state benefit programs, including SNAP and other public assistance resources, through coordinated campus processes.
Create a Basic Needs Center
Establish a centralized hub that brings together campus services, community partners, and public benefits into one coordinated student support system.
Use Data to Drive Continuous Improvement
Track student utilization of services and connect those data to student success outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and guide future improvements.