University Center Gaylord
In 1985 a group of citizens, business professionals, and elected officials gathered in Gaylord to explore the feasibility of enhancing post-high school educational opportunities in Northern lower Michigan, for both college bound and technical trade students from throughout the region.
A new collaborative model was incorporated, the Alpine Regional Education Center (AREC), and two colleges began to offer classes on campus to 22 students. Within ten years, 4 more college/university partners were providing courses toward degree completion.
With such proven success, and the need to expand instructional resources, taxpayers in Otsego County voted their support with a 20 year millage to build and operate a new state of the art facility, newly named the University Center at Gaylord. Currently, over 2000 students are served by 2 community colleges and 6 universities through the UC partnership.
Students currently can earn Associate, Bachelor and Master degrees, or receive advanced technical training in a variety of trades, at the University Center at Gaylord. Programs are based on both student academic goals and employer requests from area businesses. Because of the University Center’s central location, students do not have far to travel to achieve their degrees and training
The University Center partners include North Central Michigan College, Lake Superior State University, Spring Arbor University, Madonna University, Davenport University, Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University. Technical training, provided through MTEC-Kirtland Community College, offers hands-on learning experiences for vocational trades.
With access to the University Center’s advanced computer labs, interactive television, instructional technology, and spacious classrooms, students can excel in their learning. Businesses can also arrange meeting space at the University Center to take advantage of the superior classroom resources.
Community education classes are also available and cover a wide area of interest areas, such as photography, gardening, art, foreign language, computer science, cooking, and other requested topics.
With such success across a broad educational spectrum, the University Center Gaylord is well positioned to continue to offer students the resources they need, and the variety of academic programs that fit their interest.
