HFC Detroit Promise student shares future plans on FOX 2
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted higher education across the nation, the Detroit Promise – a program that provides a tuition-free associate degree or technical certificate for graduates of Detroit Public Schools – is still going strong, especially at HFC. The program is administered by the Detroit Regional Chamber
Roop Raj of FOX 2 interviewed HFC student Kalani Olatunji, a Cass Technical High School alumna who’s currently attending Henry Ford College through the Detroit Promise program. Olatunji’s interview aired May 27.
“A great experience”
Olatunji, who will graduate from HFC late this year, earning her associate degree in general studies, admitted that being on TV was a “little nerve-wracking, but also a great experience.” Mark Yancy, her success coach navigator at Detroit Promise, recommended that Raj interview her.
"The Detroit Promise is a great opportunity to go to College and get the education you need and not jump into a four-year school and maybe regret doing this or taking that major. You get to walk through the process with a coach and a mentor to help you and guide you," Olatunji said in the interview.
66% of all Detroit Promise students attend HFC
To date, the Chamber and the (Detroit) Mayor’s Office have assisted approximately 4,000 Detroit-based high school students attend college tuition-free. And two-thirds of all Detroit Promise students choose to attend Henry Ford College.
Once Olatunji has finished her associate degree at HFC, she plans to transfer to Wayne State University – which she’ll attend on a scholarship through the Detroit Promise – and major in creative writing.
"The Detroit Promise offers two pathways, one in the community college where a student can earn an associate degree, or enroll in programs and get a skilled certificate or skilled trade credential,” said Greg Handel of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “One of the things that Kalani mentioned is for students who go to community colleges, we have success coaches. Each success coach works with about 100 enrolled students, and the coach's job is to do anything necessary to help those students successfully complete college.”
Learn more about the Detroit Promise, the coaching model, and how to enroll at HFC here.