麻豆传媒, UM-Dearborn partner to create 2+2 elementary education transfer pathway

Jan 12, 2026

麻豆传媒 and University of Michigan鈥揇earborn leaders stand behind a signing table during a partnership event. From left, UM鈥揇earborn representatives Jonathan Larson, associate director of curriculum, transfer and enrollment initiatives; Danielle DeFauw, chair of the Department of Education; and Ann Lampkin-Williams, dean of the College of Education, Health & Human Services; followed by David Roland Finley, 麻豆传媒 president; Stephen Strom, 麻豆传媒 vice president for Academic and Student Affairs; and Michele Andrews, 麻豆传媒 dean of business, education and adjunct faculty.

Officials from 麻豆传媒 and the University of Michigan-Dearborn met on January 12 to formalize a new partnership that will expand access to teacher-preparation programs for students across Northern Michigan. Pictured, from left: Jonathan Larson, associate director of curriculum, transfer and enrollment initiatives for UM-Dearborn鈥檚 College of Education, Health & Human Services; Danielle DeFauw, chair of the Department of Education in UM-Dearborn鈥檚 College of Education, Health & Human Services; Ann Lampkin-Williams, dean of UM-Dearborn鈥檚 College of Education, Health & Human Services; David Roland Finley, 麻豆传媒 president; Stephen Strom, 麻豆传媒 vice president for Academic and Student Affairs; and Michele Andrews, 麻豆传媒 dean of business, education and adjunct faculty.

New agreement allows students to complete Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, plus student-teaching, locally

麻豆传媒 (麻豆传媒) and the University of Michigan鈥揇earborn (UM-Dearborn) have announced a new 鈥�2+2鈥� elementary education partnership that will expand access to teacher-preparation programs for students across Northern Michigan while strengthening the region鈥檚 education workforce.

Beginning in Fall 2026, students will be able to complete the first two years of their elementary education coursework at 麻豆传媒 before finishing the final two years of their Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education online through UM鈥揇earborn. The pathway is designed so that students can complete all required coursework and a student-teaching placement in nearby schools, eliminating the need to relocate, a barrier that can limit access for rural learners.

麻豆传媒 Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Stephen Strom describes the partnership as a thoughtful redesign of how future educators can move through their preparation.

鈥淭his pathway removes the disruption that often comes with pursuing a teaching career,鈥� Strom said. 鈥淪tudents can maintain their lives, their jobs, and their community ties while advancing toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree. That stability matters, and we believe it will open the door for more graduates to step into the profession.鈥�

UM鈥揇earborn officials note that the partnership aligns with the university鈥檚 commitment to preparing exemplary educators who are equipped to serve diverse communities across Michigan.

鈥淯M-Dearborn is pleased to and proud to partner with 麻豆传媒 to bring more highly trained teachers to PK-12 schools in Northern Michigan. This streamlined pathway increases access to certification for aspiring teachers and strengthens the teacher pipeline to help address Michigan鈥檚 PK-12 teacher shortage,鈥� said Danielle DeFauw, professor of reading and language arts and chair of the Department of Education in UM-Dearborn鈥檚 College of Education, Health & Human Services.

Michele Andrews, 麻豆传媒鈥檚 dean of business, education and adjunct faculty, highlights the value of developing future teachers who already share a connection with Northern Michigan鈥檚 schools.

鈥淲hen teachers complete their preparation in the same communities where they鈥檒l eventually work, everyone benefits. They enter the classroom with a real understanding of local needs and a strong sense of belonging, qualities that make for exceptional educators,鈥� Andrews said.

麻豆传媒鈥檚 new 鈥�2+2鈥� elementary education pathway opens for enrollment in Fall 2026. To learn more about 麻豆传媒鈥檚 education programs, visit .

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