Adrian, MI – High school students in Lenawee County now have an exciting new pathway to launch careers in education—tuition-free and ahead of schedule—thanks to a collaborative initiative between the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD), Jackson College, and Adrian College.
The new Education Careers Early Middle College (EMC) program at the LISD TECH Center allows students to begin taking college courses in 11th grade, blending high school with post-secondary education and hands-on work-based learning. Over the course of three years—including a 13th year spent full-time on a college campus—students can earn up to 60 college credits, a Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA) endorsement, and the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) Certificate.
“We’re excited to launch the Education Careers Early Middle College program with Jackson College and Adrian College,” said Jenny Heath, Executive Director of CTE and Secondary Programs at LISD. “This innovative pathway gives students a strong start in education through a blend of high school, college, and hands-on learning. It’s a powerful opportunity to inspire future educators while they’re still in high school.”
Students will complete general education requirements through Jackson College before continuing to Adrian College for specialized coursework in education. All tuition is covered through the EMC program.
“Jackson College is thrilled to play a key role in this new Lenawee County program,” said Zakary McNitt, Registrar and Director of Jackson College Lenawee. “Partnering with the LISD to provide such an opportunity to Lenawee County students is something that we are honored to be a part of. Preparing these future educators with a strong educational foundation is a major priority for us.”
“The Adrian College Teacher Education program is excited to collaborate with the Lenawee Intermediate School District's TECH Center to support high school students in the Early Middle College Education Careers program as they navigate their college coursework,” said Dr. Kyle Griffith, Director of the Institute for Education at Adrian College. “This partnership empowers future educators by providing them with valuable experience and a strong academic foundation as they embark on their journey to shape the next generation.”
Through this partnership, students remain active in their home school districts—participating in sports, extracurriculars, and walking with their graduating class—while gaining the experience and credentials of full-time college students. The program is tuition-free and provides real-world learning experiences such as internships, job shadowing, and clinical placements.
The Education Careers Early Middle College program will officially launch in Fall 2025, beginning with juniors enrolled in the Education Careers program at the LISD TECH Center.
For more information on the Education Careers Early Middle College program, contact Sue Ritchey at sue.ritchey@lisd.us or by phone (517) 265-1672.