TICAS Michigan Playbook - Playbook 2026 Theme - Building Bridges to Better Systems

Oct 15, 2026

TICAS Michigan Playbook outlines the strategy guiding The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) Michigan team’s 2026 policy and advocacy efforts. It frames the organization’s mission and student-centered vision for higher education reform, emphasizing protecting college access and financial aid under budget pressures. The playbook sets a 2026 theme, “Building Bridges to Better Systems,” building on prior pipeline efforts. It highlights research insights on low awareness of Michigan aid programs, underused grant funding, and resource gaps affecting student completion and credential attainment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

TICAS Mission, Vision, and Strategic Themes

TICAS Michigan Team Focus

2026 Theme: Building Bridges to Better Systems

Key Research and Policy Drivers

Playbook ~~ ~~ 1 TICAS Michigan 2026 Playbook 2025-26 Advocacy Theme, Research Focuses, and FY27 Policy Priorities TICAS Michigan Playbook Executive Summary This document outlines the strategy guiding The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) Michigan team's 2026 policy and advocacy efforts, including policy priorities, watch lists, and research focuses. The “Playbook” also includes information on TICAS’ organizational mission, vision, and strategic themes, which guide TICAS Michigan’s development and approach to the work. It is a new year with new focuses but the same priority: students The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) TICAS is a non-profit, nonpartisan policy and research organization that advocates for every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, or family wealth, to have access to a quality higher education program without the need to incur debt to realize their dreams of earning a college credential. Our vision is to reimagine a national higher education system where students can successfully complete a college credential with confidence that their education will afford them a pathway toward economic mobility and financial sustainability. To achieve this, TICAS’ strategic themes provide a student-centered framework for higher education reform that serves as our compass as advocates in Michigan. “In a rapidly evolving policy environment and with looming budgetary pressures, it is more important than ever that states and colleges work to protect college access and investments in financial aid, including increasing student access to those resources. Ensuring access to an affordable and high-quality postsecondary education for all students who want to pursue one is one of the best investments we can make to ensure a thriving society and economy.” ‒ Jessica Thompson, TICAS Executive Vice President/Interim President TICAS Michigan The TICAS Michigan team (TICAS MI) strives to be a resource provider, educator, and advocate for higher education policy in the state of Michigan. We seek to uplift and elevate community-based education, student support leaders, and student voices in the policy decision-making process to ensure students’ and families’ needs are met in their pursuit of postsecondary credentials. To understand what we accomplished last year, or in previous years, please review our 2024 – 25 Impact Report. 2026 Theme: Building Bridges to Better Systems Last year, TICAS MI’s theme was from “Pipe Parts to Pipeline,” focusing on how the disjointed nature of the state’s K-12, higher education, and workforce sectors impacts the culture of higher education in the state and students’ ability to access, afford, and be successful in postsecondary programs. This year, we would like to build on that theme by considering how strategic policies, programs, and investments can help close the gaps in the pipeline, creating a more streamlined experience for students and families. 2 TICAS Michigan Playbook This work will add to a growing body of research and resources created by us and our partners, indicating the increasing importance of addressing these issues for meeting our long-term goals. 􀃂 􀃂 􀃂 􀃂 In 2023, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce found in their State of Education and Talent Report that only 23 percent of Michigan voters had heard of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and 15 percent had heard of Michigan Reconnect. This means that most voters had not heard of the two largest state financial aid programs, which offer free community college and up to $5,500 towards a four-year degree for many Michiganders. Students can easily access the supports they need to help them graduate and advance their careers; states and systems have the data and resources to monitor and close opportunity gaps. Millions of dollars in state and federal grant aid are going unused every year, meaning eligible students are leaving the opportunity for a more affordable—or

FAQs

What is the purpose of the TICAS Michigan Playbook for 2026?

It guides the TICAS Michigan team’s 2026 policy and advocacy work by outlining priorities, watch lists, and research focuses tied to higher education access and affordability.

What vision and framework does TICAS use to support higher education reform in Michigan?

TICAS aims to reimagine the higher education system so students can complete credentials with confidence in education affordability, using strategic themes as a student-centered compass for advocacy.

Why does the playbook emphasize protecting college access and financial aid?

It argues that rising budget pressures and a rapidly changing policy environment make it crucial for states and colleges to safeguard investments in aid, ensuring students can access affordable, high-quality postsecondary education.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Maya Linwood