Kirtland Community College Announces New Partnership with Central Michigan University to Expand Transfer Opportunities
By Kirtland Community College Communication and Marketing Department
GRAYLING, Michigan (March 4, 2026) – Kirtland Community College students planning to transfer to Central Michigan University (CMU) will benefit from a new partnership making the path to a bachelor’s degree clearer and more affordable.
Through CMU’s expanded Central Bound program, Kirtland students access coordinated academic advising and aligned course offerings that help them build a stronger academic foundation in their intended CMU major while completing Kirtland coursework. The partnership supports students from day one, keeping them on track and minimizing common transfer barriers.
Building on this foundation, John Thiel, Kirtland’s Vice President of Academic Affairs, noted, “This partnership reinforces the fact that a student can start their postsecondary journey at Kirtland Community College and transfer on to Central Michigan University to continue their studies towards a limitless future.”
A $650,000 Accelerate Grant from the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) supports the initiative. The funding enables CMU to expand Central Bound partnerships to several community colleges across the state.
Kirtland serves communities that lack access to a four-year university, where many post-traditional students remain place-bound due to work, family, or financial commitments. With Central Bound, Kirtland students enroll at both institutions simultaneously, allowing them to schedule flexibly, share academic planning, and move smoothly to CMU.
“Too many students lose time or momentum while trying to balance coursework across institutions,” said Kaleb Patrick, vice president of CMU Online. “By expanding Central Bound, we are building a more student-centered experience that supports persistence, keeps credits moving, and helps learners across Michigan stay on track for degrees with both institutions.”
CMU’s designation as an Opportunity College under the Carnegie Classification reflects the university’s commitment to expanding educational access and supporting strong career outcomes. Kirtland students begin close to home and confidently progress toward a CMU bachelor’s degree with fewer obstacles and less transfer friction.
MiLEAP includes the Accelerate Grant as part of its broader Student Success Grants portfolio, supporting evidence-based strategies that improve student persistence, clarify academic pathways, and advance Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal of increasing postsecondary credential attainment among working-age adults.
Additional details about the Kirtland–CMU Central Bound partnership, including enrollment information and advising opportunities, will be shared as implementation moves forward.
For more information about Central Bound, visit online.cmich.edu/CentralBound.
About Kirtland Community College
Kirtland Community College has been inspiring excellence for over 50 years and offers courses in Grayling, Gaylord, and online. Our mission at Kirtland is to provide innovative educational opportunities to enhance student lives and build stronger communities. Through our offered educational programs, we believe Kirtland will be the first choice for learner-centered education guiding students and communities toward success. For more information about Kirtland Community College, visit Kirtland.edu, or call (989) 275-5000.
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