In 2019, Michigan Tech entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Grand Traverse area outlining a "mutual commitment to communicating and coordinating on collaborative educational and research projects." The MOU contains five areas of interest: K-12/pre-college engagement, higher education, industry, economic development, and community development.
On October 4, 2021, Michigan Tech officially opened a new hub in Traverse City on the second floor of the Traverse Connect building at 202 Grandview Parkway, with Jay Meldrum as the Liaison to the Grand Traverse Area.
"By establishing a physical presence in partnership with the community, we’re amplifying opportunities for research, talent development and educational outreach, both at the K-12 and post-secondary levels."
Focus Areas
One focus of the Grand Traverse initiative is growing the Northwestern Michigan College (NMC)/Michigan Tech "2+2 program", which allows students to start their engineering studies at NMC for two years and then transfer their credits to Michigan Tech toward completion of a bachelor's degree program. Another initiative is the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) educational program which will teach various lessons to the local high schoolers of Traverse City. Additionally, Grand Traverse area students can take Tech MBA® classes at the Traverse City Research Workspace, located in the Traverse Connect building. Working professionals can earn a master's of business administration on their own schedule (referred to as synchronously learning) along with peers.