Everyone talks about making college more affordable—and that matters. But the truth is, affordability alone won’t help Michigan lead in innovation if students don’t make it to graduation.
I moved to Michigan to attend MSU as an international student in 2019. I’d grown up around science and engineering, but nothing prepared me for the isolation I felt on day one. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know how to ask for help. And like many students—especially first-generation, low-income, or those far from home—I learned quickly that college is about much more than classes.
What kept me going was a chance encounter with a professor who offered me work and mentorship. That one connection gave me stability, and eventually led to projects, leadership opportunities, and a startup that still operates today. But not every student gets that kind of break.
In Michigan alone, more than a million people have completed some college and have not returned to finish. Many didn’t leave because they weren’t smart enough—they left because they didn’t have a support system.
If we want students to stay, succeed, and contribute to our economy, we need to invest not just in scholarships, but in the services that keep students afloat: community spaces, academic guidance, mental health care, and mentorship. Michigan can’t afford to leave talent behind.
Hemkesh Agrawal
East Lansing, MI
