Michigan Council for Internships & Cooperative Education
HISTORICAL RECORD
Getting started
1983-1984
The concept of a state council for the promotion of cooperative education was born out of an early 1983 meeting of the National Commission for Cooperative Education's Employer Advisory Council in Boston, Massachusetts. Reviewing the objectives of the National Commission, and in light of the possibility of a National Advertising Campaign, some strategies to expand cooperative education were explored.
It was recognized that the increased support from both employer and government sectors could be best amassed from efforts on a local level. Additionally, a stronger employer base locally could more effectively ensure the success of the proposed National Ad Campaign.
Michigan was chosen as the first state to establish a formal council for cooperative education. Initially, the organization was intended to be employer-driven in its quest for expansion of the cooperative education and support was sought from the business community. Additionally, the Michigan model would serve as a prototype for the other states to learn from as they too organized task forces to expand co-op within their boundaries.
The National Commission expended nearly $15,000 in start-up costs and the organizational work necessary to establish the council was begun. Dr. Ralph Porter, Director of the National Commission, spearheaded the movement with the assistance of Dennis McGinnity, an executive-on-loan to the Commission from IBM Corporation. The Burroughs Corporation supplied the full-time services of Mr. James Chambers, a Michigan-based executive, past president of both Cooperative Education Association and the Midwest Cooperative Education Association, for one year through the end of 1983.
The President of Oakland Community College, Dr. Robert Roeloffs, donated office space and secretarial help to house the director's office of the Michigan Council for Internships & Cooperative Education.
The Michigan Council formally convened on November 11, 1983 at a meeting in Detroit, Michigan hosted by the Burroughs Corporation. Decision-makers from many of Michigan's major corporations as well as many influential leaders in the state government and local educational institutions were in attendance. The Michigan Council for Internships & Cooperative Education was formally introduced at this time.
On December 16, 1983, an informational meeting occurred with Senator Lana Pollack in the State Capitol attended by Frank Macher, Ford Motor Company executive, and James Chambers, Michigan Council Director. This meeting garnered significant legislative support for the project. Subsequent visits with the Governor's Job Training Advisor and State Superintendent of Public Institutions, among others, ensued. The consequences of this governmental outreach continue to be a positive force in the movement.
A meeting of the Steering Committee occurred at Wayne State University on December 22, 1983. The council's main objective: "To expand cooperative education throughout the state, gaining aggressive support of Michigan's leadership from business and industry, the academic community, as well as state government," was established at that time. At this meeting, Mr. Chambers' tenure came to an end and Mr. Phillip Lavender, Manager of Corporate Sponsorship at GMI Engineering & Management Institute, assumed the directorship of the Michigan Council. Mr. Lavender, at the time President of the Midwest Cooperative Education Association, was able to take on this responsibility due to the generosity of his institution. Phil was granted release time by his president, Dr. William Cottingham, to devote initially one-half his time to the project.
New Leadership and New Funding
1984-1985
On January 30, 1984, a proposal for funding was submitted to the C.S. Mott Foundation, a philantropical organization based in Flint, Michigan. This proposal was supported by the National Commission and delivered by Ralph Porter. On May 25, 1984, a $49, 450 grant was awarded for the period from July 1, 1984 to June 30, 1985 with a possibility of renewal at that time. The Mott Grant was extremely beneficial to the Michigan Council, supporting one-half of the Director's salary, secretarial and office support. In addition to this financial assistance, GMI released Phil Lavender on a full-time basis effective February 1, 1985 to devote his full energy to the Michigan Council.
Four meetings of the Steering Committee occurred during the first half of 1984, hosted by Oakland Community College and Ford Motor Company. It was decided that a three-pronged approach would be developed to gain additional support from industry, education and government in keeping with the objectives of the Council. These efforts would culminate in a Fall Executive Luncheon which would take place on November 13, 1984, featuring Governor James Blanchard as the keynote speaker and Dr. Runkel, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, a representative from the National Commission for Cooperative Education , and CEOs from American Natural Resources, Ford Motor Company, General Motors Corporation, and Burroughs Corporation speaking on the behalf of the Michigan Council. Invited to this luncheon would be executives from Michigan area businesses and industry. All of the Council's resources were amassed to work toward the successful completion of this program.
In mid-October, a last minute conflict developed causing Governor Blanchard to withdraw from the luncheon and resulting in the cancellation of the Fall Executive Luncheon. This forced the Michigan Council to shift directions and re-evaluate its plans for a major public relations event.
On November 13, 1984, a general meeting of the Michigan Council membership took place at Macomb Community College. This meeting was significant because the group which was presented with information about the National Advertising Campaign which would promise to play an important role in the Council's future (see below). Also at this meeting, committees were formed and specific tasks assigned in light of the cancellation of the Executive Luncheon concept.
Thanks to the support of dedicated people in the business, educational and governmental sectors, the Michigan Council for Internships & Cooperative Education has developed into a viable community working toward the strengthening expansion of cooperative education in the state of Michigan. Many on-going projects significantly assisted the Council in meeting its objectives. One such project was the marketing and distribution for the National Ad Council Campaign. Matt Trupiano, CEO Enterprises, Inc., and Phil Lavender, GMI Engineering & Management Institute, were the key individuals in this effort.
In the Fall of 1984, the National Commission received word that cooperative education had been chosen by the Advertising Council as the recipient of a free national advertising campaign. The Michigan Council pledged its full support to this campaign and formed a committee to develop a marketing strategy and training plan to effectively convince the local media to air, print and display the resultant advertising. Preliminary meetings resulted in the analysis of the campaign marketing strategy by Eastern Michigan University marketing students.
In May 1985, the initial media campaign in Michigan began with a very successful breakfast meeting held in Flint. This meeting attracted television, radio and print media representatives who pledged their support for the National Advertising Campaign.
Nationally, the Ad Campaign has helped to increase co-op participation by 30-35% and increased awareness has also contributed to co-op involvements in Michigan.
Other Important Projects
1985-1989
The Michigan Council for Internships & Cooperative Education "Marketing" Brochure committee was chaired by William Cottingham, GMI Engineering & Management Institute. Committee members were Ralph Porter, National Commission, Phil Lavender, GMI Engineering & Management Institute, and Jim Varty and Suzanne Joelson, Macomb Community College. A first class resource manual was developed for use as a marketing tool in recruiting co-op employers. Testimonials were received from Governor Blanchard and CEOs of major Michigan corporations. This project was funded by ANR Pipeline, Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys), Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation.
The committee to survey the secondary and post-secondary co-op programs in Michigan was chaired by Carl Woloszyk, Michigan Department of Education. Committee members were Jim Vick, Eastern Michigan University, Jim Varty, Macomb Community College, and Phil Lavender, GMI Engineering & Management Institute. They set out to determine the extent of co-op program offerings, number of students involved in co-op programs, total enrollments and employers involved. The data was utilized to determine the current levels of co-op involvement by schools, colleges and employers, to develop a manual of co-op schools to supply to employers interested in co-op. A primary goal was to develop a comprehensive list of employers currently utilizing co-op throughout the state.
A Minority Conference/Minority Development Committee was formed with co-chairs Deltrinee Moore, University of Detroit, and Jameson Teamor, ANR Pipeline. The committee was developed to enhance employer and student awareness about cooperative education. The committee's primary mission is to increase awareness, and to promote the benefits of cooperative education to minority students, and to support the business community's affirmative action commitment through this evolving process.
The Minority Development Committee's specific goal are to:
- Create an earlier awareness among middle, junior,
and high school students about the
benefits of college and high school co-op programs.
- Increase the participation of minorities currently enrolled in
Michigan colleges in cooperative education programs.
- Promote the hiring of technical and non-technical minority
co-ops by the Michigan business community.
- Increase the proportion of non-technical opportunities
available to students.
- Facilitate communication among the business/education community,
professional associations, and other civic/social groups.
A specific program was established to foster a better awareness, understanding, appreciation and participation in cooperative education. The event was the first annual Minority Cooperative Education Awareness Program which was held in April, 1989 at Wayne State University. Many employers were present to explain how co-op worked at their particular facilities and the target audience attending was made up of guidance counselors, students, and parents from Detroit Public Schools. Although participation was less than expected, many believed this initial conference was very successful.
Change in Leadership Structure and New By-laws
1989-1990
We determine that the Council could not sustain the expenses of even part-time "executive director." Matt Trupiano of CEO Enterprises, Inc., had assumed this role from the end of 1987 until June 1989. At this time the Council decided to become a volunteer group, to elect officers and determine its future course at the annual meeting. A new set of by-laws was developed and implemented.
The make-up of the original council was initially designed to be employer-driven. What resulted was a membership composed more equally of representatives from the co-op community in business, education and state government. The membership is convinced that we will be successful in our mission to effectively promote cooperative education across the state in the years ahead.
A positive effect has already been realized in the working relationship established among Michigan colleges and the dialogue ensuing with the state Department of Education and local co-op directors in the name of cooperative education in our state. Through this liaison a comprehensive co-op employer base can be identified and tapped for the National Ad Campaign and other projects.
Numerous efforts were made by the MC-ICE executive board to provide a bRd.er base of MC-ICE participation by more Michigan employers and educators. Representatives across the state were elected to serve one-year terms.
Continuing Efforts
1990-1991
The mission of promoting cooperative education across our state remains our primary focus. New MC-ICE brochures were developed and printed for use in our promotional efforts. The brochures were sent to cooperative education practitioners across the state and have been distributed at several professional conferences including the Michigan Manufacturer's Association of Counseling and Development Conferences. The Council was a co-sponsor at the 1990 Annual Conference of the Midwest Cooperative Education Association. We provided a display table and distributed Council information.
At the request of the Council, Governor Engler issued a proclamation declaring February 1991 as Cooperative Education Month in Michigan. Copies of the proclamation were distributed to all members and to high school counselors throughout the state. The Council has obtained such proclamations for the past seven years.
The Council has funded a research project entitled, "Career Outcomes for Cooperative Education Participants." The research was conducted by Phil Gardner and Garth Motschenbacher at Michigan State University.
The 1991 annual meeting location and agenda were panned and conducted with Oakland University, the Midwest Training Center for Cooperative Education, and the Midwest Cooperative Education Association. The attendance was outstanding with good representation from employers and educators alike.
1991-1992
The 1992 annual meeting was held at Bay Valley Hotel and Resort and hosted by Dow Chemical Company. IN addition to keynote speakers, round-table discussions also involving timely co-op topics were a key element of he program. This conference also introduced two new awards sponsored by the Council, MC-ICE Student Essay Contest and the MC-ICE Don Hunt Service Award.
The annual meeting continues to be a valuable vehicle, bringing together all of our efforts of promoting cooperative education throughout Michigan.
Current goals include strengthening minority co-op development; strengthening regional participation, especially new employer involvement; surveying MC-ICE members and others in the co-op community about the issue of contact hiring.
Learning from the past and focusing on the future, the Michigan Council looks forward to the completion of projects now in progress and the increasing role of cooperative education in Michigan.
1992-1993
In November of 1992, fifty ideas for Council activities were generated in Managing Total Quality nominal group technique exercise. After prioritizing and voting on those ideas, the following were selected for the action:
- Provide public relations, marketing and informational materials;
- Plan drive-in workshops;
- Influence state legislature;
- Become a member of associations to increase small business membership;
- Create a job bank for employers;
- Increase co-op awareness in the high schools.
By the end of the 1992/93 year, the Council had active committees working to meet those goals.
In addition, the Council conducted a survey of co-op school about Contract Co-op, fulfilling one of goals from 1991/92. The results wee made available at the annual meeting. Another report distribute at the annual meeting was: "More Alike than Different: Early Work Experiences of Co-op and Non Co-op Engineers," the results of research that the Council sponsored. Also, the Council sponsored Wayne State University's co-op salary survey again this year.
To make external communities more aware of co-op and MC-ICE , the Council participated in the MACRO College Fair at the University of Detroit Mercy. Detroit Public Schools' seniors had the opportunity to learn about college co-op and which colleges/universities offer co-op. New brochures were also created this year, updating the benefits of co-op to students, employers, and institutions.
The Council sponsored on Early Bird Breakfast Forum and made a presentation to the Mid-Michigan Chamber of Commerce. Following that model, next we co-sponsored the "Employer/Educator Cooperation" luncheon for the Flint/Genesee Co-op Consortium.
Two drive-in workshops were held this year. "Legal Issues: Unemployment Compensation for Co-ops" was held in November and "The Americans with Disabilities Act: The Effect on Student Programs and Recruiting" was in May.
As in years past, the Council distributed materials to members in October for National Co-op Month. Also following tradition, the Council initiated making February Co-op Month in the state and Governor Engler proclaimed it as such. Copies of the executive declaration and tips on getting the maximum exposure and key high school personnel throughout the state.
1993-1994
MC-ICE participated in the MACRO College Fair, which was held at Wayne State University in October. Three thousand Detroit area high school students attended the event, where MC-ICE members distributed co-op information.
Three drive-in workshops were held this year: "Intercultural Communication," "Job Development in a Transitional Economy," (co-sponsored with the Midwest Training Center for Cooperative Education), and "Reforming Education Through Cooperation" (co-sponsored with Mid-Michigan Human Resource Association). A total of 93 people attended these workshops.
The student essay contest was renamed the "Carol Quandt Student Essay Contese." The first place winner this year was Arthur Martin from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, co-op student at Steelcase.
The Council assisted Michigan State University in funding the printing and distribution of
More Alike than Different: Early Work Experiences of Co-op and Non Co-op Engineers, the research project that MC-ICE do-sponsored last year. Also, MC-ICE co-sponsored the
Cooperative Education Employee Salary and Benefits Survey that was conducted by Wayne State University again this year.
Lastly, the Council co-sponsored Michigan's first Workforce Readiness Conference with the Midwest Training Center. The conference was held the day before the MC-ICE Annual Meeting in Frankenmuth. The conference was attended by approximately 150 people and it included programs on the federal school-to-work initiative and diversity in education.
1994-1995
February was again declared Co-op Month in Michigan. Copies of Governor Engler's proclamation were sent to MC-ICE members and high school co-op coordinators throughout the state.
Les Leone, Michigan State University, chaired a committee that conducted a survey of post-secondary co-op programs in the state. The final report was completed in Fall 1995.
Michigan Co-op At A Glance, the flyer which lists co-op programs offered at Michigan colleges and universities, was updated and distributed to MC-ICE members.
The MC-ICE Annual Meeting was held on June 7-8 at Mission Point Resort on Makinac Island. Eighty people attended. Keynote speakers were Gary Olson, Director of the State's Senates Fiscal Agency; and Sandy McClurg, Director, Training Projects, Human Resource Development, Oakland University. Gary's presentation was "The Senate Fiscal Agency: It's Role and Mission in the State Budget Process." Sandy spoke on "The Ten Best Ways to Help Prepare for Careers."
During the annual meeting, The don Hunt Award was presented to Sveller, College Relations Manager, Ford Motor Company, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the co-op community.
Debra Gardner, first place winner (among 79 entries) of the "Carol Quandt Student Essay Contest," read her paper at the annual meeting awards luncheon. Debra, a mechanical engineering major at GMI, co-oped at Delco Electronics.
1995-1996
The council sponsored a break at the MCEA Conference in Dayton, Ohio.
MC-ICE volunteers staffed a booth at the MACRO College Fair, which was held at Wayne State University. Co-op literature was distributed to an audience comprised of approximately 3,000 Detroit high school students.
MC-ICE had an exhibit at the Michigan Small Business Day Conference. Representatives served on a panel discussion.
MC-ICE members participated in a panel at the Governor's School-to-Work Conference.
Governor John Engler again declared February as Co-op Month in Michigan. Copies of the proclamation were distributed to MC-ICE members and high school co-op coordinators throughout the state.
A new membership structure was developed to encourage greater participation in the Council. MC-ICE By-Laws were revised in an effort to enhance the focus and direction of the organization.
Traverse City was selected as the site of the 1998 MCEA Conference, to be chaired by Dale Monson of Ferris State University.
The Campus Inn, located on the University of Michigan Campus in Ann Arbor was the site of the MC-ICE annual Meeting, June 5-6, 1996. Eighty people were in attendance. Keynote speakers were: Cal Williams, Dean of Students, Washtenaw Community College; Phil Gardner, Collegiate Employment Research Institute, Michigan State University; and Karen Simpkins, Director of Eastern Michigan University's Career Center.
The Carol Quandt Student Essay Contest winner was Samuel Swartz, a Civil and Environmental Engineering major at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Samuel, selected from 52 entries, is employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Deltrinee Moore, University of Detroit Mercy, received the Don Hunt Award.
The first MC-ICE Employer of the Year was presented to EDS. Kris Lehman accepted the award.
