Bay Mills, MI – Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) is proud to announce its latest initiative, STEM Reinvigorate, a project funded by a $450,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF: 2324979). This transformative effort aims to enhance BMCC’s General Science Associate of Science (AS) degree, making it more applicable for students transferring to four-year institutions in STEM fields.

The STEM Reinvigorate program will introduce key foundational science courses essential for STEM degree pathways, including a two-semester series of General Biology I and II and General Chemistry I and II. By offering these courses, BMCC ensures that students can complete crucial prerequisites before transferring, ultimately saving them time and financial resources.

A key feature of the program is its accessibility. Students will have the option to take courses on-campus or earn their degree fully online. BMCC has long been a leader in online education, incorporating innovative hands-on lab activities that students can complete in their own homes, at their own pace. Additionally, members of U.S. federally recognized tribes are eligible for the Board of Regents Scholarship, covering 100% of tuition.

This initiative was sparked by direct feedback from students and alumni. Cort Dumas, a BMCC alumnus and current Northern Michigan University (NMU) student, highlighted the impact this expansion will have: “Although I feel prepared for my current courses, it would have been a huge benefit to me in regard to time and finances if I had been able to transfer more STEM major courses to NMU. If BMCC was able to offer General Chemistry I and II and two Biology courses (like cell and diversity), I think that would really benefit future students who plan to transfer into a 4-year science program.”

By responding to student needs and strengthening its STEM curriculum, BMCC continues to empower students with high-quality, culturally relevant education. The STEM Reinvigorate initiative represents BMCC’s ongoing commitment to fostering academic success and advancing opportunities in STEM fields for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students alike.

 

Find our STEM programs here. View our aritculation agreements here.