$300,000 Grant to Boost STEM Education in Washtenaw County

A transformative investment is headed to Washtenaw County, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Deloitte Foundation to United Way for Southeastern Michigan. Most of this funding will support the Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) over the next three years to implement the STEM Connection Academy—an innovative initiative focused on strengthening STEM education for students and educators alike.

The program will launch in Ypsilanti Community Schools and Lincoln Consolidated Schools. Its goal is to improve math proficiency, expand real-world learning opportunities, and equip educators with tools to support long-term student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“We believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president and CEO 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.”

Empowering Students Through Real-World Learning

At the heart of the STEM Connection Academy is a focus on experiential learning. For current 9th and 10th-grade students, the program will offer targeted math instruction through 6–8-week sessions during the school year, along with after-school and summer programs. The aim is to help students better understand how math and STEM apply in real life, setting them up for success in school and in future careers.

“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 paths to success.”

Supporting and Strengthening Educators

In addition to student programming, the grant strongly emphasizes professional learning for educators. Teachers participating in the program will receive training to deepen their understanding of mathematics content, pedagogy, and college and career readiness strategies. This professional development is designed to empower educators with tools and insights they can immediately apply in the classroom.

A Shared Commitment to Future 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.

The STEM Connection Academy is aligned with three key pillars—Student Success, Educator Success, and School Success—all of which support the Deloitte Foundation’s broader mission to develop the talent of the future and their influencers and promote excellence in teaching, research, and curriculum innovation.

Sustaining and Scaling the Impact

Both United Way for Southeastern Michigan and WISD are focused on long-term impact. The STEM Connection Academy is being built not just as a one-time program but as a model for how districts and community partners can collaborate to tackle learning gaps and drive innovation in education.

United Way will continue to play a leading role in convening partners, evaluating impact, and seeking future funding to scale the program. This includes sharing lessons learned, advocating for supportive policy, and helping replicate the model in other communities.

As Dr. Hudson noted, “We’re not just investing in today’s classrooms. We’re building the foundation for tomorrow’s workforce—and ensuring that all students, regardless of zip code, have a chance to thrive.”