ANN ARBOR, MI (April 1, 2025) – United Way for Southeastern Michigan has announced a $300,000 grant from the Deloitte Foundation to support education and STEM in Washtenaw County. The grant will provide the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) with the majority of these funds over the next three years. The grant will support the implementation of the STEM Connection Academy, an innovative program focused on targeted mathematics education, professional development for educators, and experiential learning activities for students in Ypsilanti Community Schools and Lincoln Consolidated Schools.
United Way for Southeastern Michigan will collaborate with WISD to assist in the implementation of the program, which aligns with its mission to improve educational outcomes for students.
“We believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president & chief executive officer of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “The Deloitte Foundation’s support allows us to help students build stronger foundations in STEM education while also equipping educators with the tools and resources they need to help foster long-term success. Through collaborations like this, we are strengthening academic outcomes.”
“We are thrilled to continue expanding applied and experiential learning opportunities to students in Ypsilanti and Lincoln thanks to the Deloitte Foundation’s support,” shared Dr. Jennifer Banks, director of Instruction at the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. “We want these students to know that STEM is for them. When students have hands-on, real-world experiences, they can become more invested in their learning and in charting their own paths to success.”
“Programs like the STEM Connection Academy are helping to build a brighter future for students in our community. This initiative not only provides critical resources for students but also empowers educators to deliver high-quality STEM education, ultimately helping to prepare the next generation for success in a rapidly evolving world,” said David Parent, Michigan managing principal, Deloitte LLP*.
Supporting Student Success in STEM
The STEM Connection Academy will focus on Student Success, Educator Success, and School Success—key pillars of the Deloitte Foundation’s mission to help develop the talent of the future and their influencers and promote excellence in teaching, research, and curriculum innovation. Programming will provide targeted mathematics support for current 9th and 10th grade students through 6–8-week sessions throughout the school year, as well as afterschool and summer program offerings. These efforts are designed to help students apply mathematical concepts in real-world contexts, preparing them for careers in STEM fields.
Professional Learning for Educators
A key component of the STEM Connection Academy is the focus on Educator Success. Professional learning opportunities will be provided to educators, expanding their knowledge in mathematics pedagogy, content, and career and college readiness. This training will empower educators with the tools and expertise necessary to prepare students for postsecondary success in STEM-related fields.
Building a Sustainable Model for Future Success
United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Washtenaw Intermediate School District are committed to long-term success and sustainability for the STEM Connection Academy. The program will not only benefit participating students but also create a model for collaboration across academic and social service sectors. United Way will continue to bring together organizations, share lessons learned, and seek additional funding opportunities to scale and sustain these efforts in the future.
About Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) is the educational service agency for Washtenaw County, Michigan, serving nine public school districts and the 13 public school academies in the greater Ann Arbor region since 1962. WISD provides special education student programs and early childhood programs from birth through age 26, plus an array of services to the community and local schools. For more information, visit www.washtenawisd.org.
About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, a member of the United Way Worldwide network and an independently governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is dedicated to helping households achieve stability and ensuring that children have the resources they need to thrive. For over 100 years, United Way has been a leader in creating positive, measurable, and sustainable change in communities throughout Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties The organization collaborates with donors, agencies, corporations, and municipal partners to support essential services such as housing, food security, healthcare, and education. To give, advocate, volunteer, or learn more, visit UnitedWaySEM.org.
About the Deloitte Foundation
The Deloitte Foundation, founded in 1928, is a not-for-profit organization that supports education in the U.S. through a variety of initiatives that help develop the next generation of business leaders, and their influencers, and promote excellence in teaching, research and curriculum innovation. The Foundation sponsors an array of national programs relevant to a variety of professional services, benefiting high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and educators. Learn more about the Deloitte Foundation.
* Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of its legal structure.
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