Expanding Access to Postsecondary Success in Detroit

WITH DETROIT PROMISE ZONE AUTHORITY

Strategic planning to reduce barriers to postsecondary education.

The Detroit Promise Zone Authority (DPZA) oversees the Detroit Promise, an initiative that ensures every Detroit high school graduate has access to a tuition-free postsecondary education at 32 Michigan colleges and universities. Amidst a changing landscape of resources and funding available for college students, the DPZA sought to re-envision core aspects of their programming, including identifying new ways to address barriers beyond the cost of tuition that students face.

The Work Department partnered with the Detroit Promise Zone Authority (DPZA) to create a five year strategic plan that strengthens educational opportunities for Detroit students and ensures stronger support systems for students pursuing postsecondary education.

Our work with DPZA was rooted in research, stakeholder engagement, and structured planning. Through in-depth discussions with DPZA board members, educational leaders, and institutional partners, we assessed the current landscape and identified key challenges. A SWOT analysis helped frame opportunities for improvement, guiding a series of planning sessions where we collaborated with DPZA’s board to refine its mission, vision, and values.

From these discussions, we established three core priorities to drive DPZA’s efforts over the next five years:

  1. Expanding Awareness & Access – Ensuring every Detroit high school student and family understands and can easily navigate the Detroit Promise program.

  2. Increasing Postsecondary Enrollment – Removing financial and informational barriers that prevent eligible students from enrolling in college.

  3. Boosting Completion & Student Success – Expanding support services, including coaching and wraparound programs, to improve persistence and graduation rates.

To turn these priorities into action, we developed a detailed action plan that outlines specific steps, responsible parties, and measurable outcomes. This structured approach ensures that DPZA can track progress, maintain accountability, and refine strategies as needed.