Eighth‑grade trip to Ferris State touted as hands‑on career pathway opportunity

Board members heard a detailed recap of a recent eighth‑grade visit to Ferris State University intended to expose students to college‑level labs, tutoring services and career programs.

The trip organizer described a multi‑building tour that included the library, tutoring center, manufacturing labs and the College of Pharmacy, and said students participated in hands‑on activities such as making frisbees in a plastics lab and touring sterile labs used for simulation. The delegation also had a brief, impromptu meeting with Ferris State’s president, who personally encouraged students to consider returning for college.

The presenter said the visit was designed to give students tangible exposure to career pathways and that partners on campus provided concrete demonstrations and outreach. Ferris staff discussed first‑generation supports, financial aid steps, and connections with the district’s CareerTech Center to create smoother transitions from local CTC programs (welding, HVAC) into college programs.

Board members praised the experience and discussed expanding the visits to younger grades, exploring dual‑enrollment options, and pursuing Promise‑zone or community outreach grants to strengthen partnerships. The board did not take a formal vote but asked administration to explore scaling the program and potential funding or transportation logistics for broader participation.

Why it matters: The visit is part of an effort to create visible career pathways for students—linking middle school exposure, CareerTech training and potential college credits to increase postsecondary enrollment and career readiness.