NMC VP chosen for state transfer success council
Stephen Siciliano (download high-resolution photo)TRAVERSE CITY — Stephen Siciliano, NMC's vice president for Educational Services, has been selected to serve as a member of the newly launched statewide Advisory Council on Transfer Success (ACTS).
Convened by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP), ACTS will guide statewide efforts to expand pathways to degree completion, strengthen collaboration across Michigan’s colleges and universities, and prepare more students for in-demand careers.
NMC President Nick Nissley stated: “Dr. Siciliano’s participation reflects NMC’s deep commitment to the strong and effective transfer of our students to their choice of university.” About half of NMC students enroll seeking to transfer to a four-year college or university where they will complete a bachelor's and/or other advanced degree.
“The ability to transfer should be a bridge, not a barrier,” said Beverly Walker-Griffea, director of MiLEAP. “The Advisory Council on Transfer Success brings together leaders from across Michigan’s education institutions to drive bold, student-centered change, simplify pathways, and create a system where every student has the opportunity to finish their degree and access meaningful, in-demand jobs.”
Through their service, ACTS will help advance ongoing efforts to reach Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal, which seeks to increase the number of working-age adults with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by 2030.
The council’s 16 members will play guide and oversee the state’s Transfer Success Project while also supporting MiLEAP’s efforts to navigate the transfer landscape, engage partners and advocate for productive change. Together, they will help streamline credit transfers, expand pathways in high-demand fields and make the process more transparent for students.
“Streamlined transfer pathways are critical to helping students stay on track and complete their degrees,” said Katie Giardello, Transfer Success Project Manager within MiLEAP’s Office of Higher Education. “With the Advisory Council’s leadership, we can make transfer simpler and more predictable so that more students can achieve their educational and career goals.”
About MiLEAP:
Established by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, MiLEAP’s mission is to improve outcomes from preschool to postsecondary so anyone can ‘make it in Michigan’ with a solid education and a path to a good-paying job. To learn more about MiLEAP, go to Michigan.gov/MiLEAP.
Release date: OCTOBER 28, 2025
For more information:
Cari Noga
NMC Communications Director
cnoga@nmc.edu
(231) 392-1800 (Call or text)