Michigan State University is teaming up with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to create new pathways for individuals with disabilities — particularly those from underrepresented racial groups — to pursue high-demand careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine, known as STEMM. 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the partnership through a $15.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated far-reaching issues and disparities experienced by individuals with disabilities and other marginalized groups,” Whitmer said. “By addressing these disparities head-on and developing demand-driven career pathways, we can ensure access to good, promising and inclusive opportunities for all Michiganders. Together, we can usher in a new era of prosperity for our families, communities, and small businesses.” 

Faculty members from the MSU Rehabilitation Counseling programs received the grant in collaboration with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, or MRS, which is part of Michigan’s labor department and serves individuals eligible for vocational rehabilitation throughout the state. Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, and Southern University and A&M College, an historically Black institution in Baton Rouge, will also co-develop and implement approaches to better prepare individuals with disabilities from marginalized groups for today’s changing job market. 

Together, the two states expect to train 10 specialized career pathway coordinators who will serve 850 individuals with disabilities. 

“This project is going to create an innovative model for other state vocational rehabilitation agencies and universities that train counselors across the country,” said Connie Sung, principal investigator and associate professor in rehabilitation counseling at MSU.  

“We should not only focus on how we serve individuals with disabilities and help them enter into the workplace, but we should also change how the world thinks about them as untapped talents and their potential to contribute, especially in high-demand fields. This is very timely since October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.” 

MSU’s Rehabilitation Counseling programs, ranked No. 1 for high-quality graduate degrees and research efforts, have a long-standing partnership with Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Through Project Excellence, for example, MSU researchers work closely with MRS to evaluate programs and address new research questions. 

Read full story at MSU Today.