Central Bound dual-admission partnership simplifies transfer, helps students stay on track toward bachelor’s degree

North Central Michigan College students will soon have a clearer path to earning a bachelor’s degree through Central Bound, a new partnership with Central Michigan University designed to simplify transfer and help students move efficiently from an associate degree to a four-year program.

The Central Bound program allows students to be admitted to both North Central and CMU at the same time. Students begin their studies at North Central while receiving coordinated advising and academic planning from both institutions, ensuring that coursework applies directly toward a CMU bachelor’s degree.

By aligning advising and academic planning early, the program helps students avoid lost credits, reduce time to graduation, and make informed course decisions from the start.

“Central Bound gives our students greater clarity and confidence as they plan their educational future,” said Corey Lansing, North Central’s dean of student success. “With coordinated advising and coursework, students can begin at North Central knowing how their credits apply toward a bachelor’s degree and how to stay on track to finish.”

The program is especially beneficial for Northern Michigan students who want to begin their education close to home while keeping their long-term academic options open. It also connects students with advising and support from both institutions while they complete their coursework at North Central, said NCMC academic advisor Shana Kingma.

“Many of our students choose North Central for its affordability, small classes, and strong support systems,” Kingma said. “Central Bound builds on that foundation by creating a coordinated pathway where students not only know how their credits will transfer, but also gain early access to CMU advising, resources, and support while they are still studying at North Central.”

Students begin their college journey at North Central while planning ahead with CMU advisers, helping them stay on schedule to complete their bachelor’s degree while benefiting from North Central’s personalized learning environment.

“Too many students lose time or momentum while trying to balance coursework across institutions,” said Kaleb Patrick, vice president of CMU Online. “By expanding Central Bound, we are building a more student-centered experience that supports persistence, keeps credits moving, and helps learners across Michigan stay on track for degrees with both institutions.” 

North Central is among several Michigan community colleges participating in the next phase of Central Bound’s expansion. The initiative is supported by a $650,000 Accelerate Grant awarded to CMU by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential as part of its Student Success Grants program.

The partnership reflects a broader statewide effort to strengthen transfer pathways and increase the number of Michigan residents who earn college credentials, supporting the state’s Sixty by 30 goal of having 60 percent of working-age adults hold a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030.

Additional information about Central Bound opportunities for North Central students will be shared as the partnership is implemented.

For more information about Central Bound, visit online.cmich.edu/CentralBound.