Letter from the President
Dear Members of the Baker College Community,
At Baker College, who we are is grounded in what we believe. We believe students come first. We believe higher education should be accessible and affordable. We believe our responsibility extends beyond instruction to supporting people, purpose, and opportunity.
These beliefs shape our culture, guide our decisions, and define our work every day.
Affordability is one of the most explicit expressions of that mission. Baker College is proud to be among the most affordable bachelor’s degree–granting colleges and universities in Michigan.
We demonstrate that commitment through meaningful student support:
- 81% of incoming undergraduates receive a Baker College scholarship
- 94% of full-time undergraduate students receive some form of scholarship or grant funding
- 49% of incoming students have their tuition fully funded through scholarships, grants, or our BeFree Tuition Guarantee programs.
Access matters, but completion and outcomes matter even more.
That focus is producing results. Baker College has made measurable improvements in student retention and persistence, supported by intentional investments in advising, academic support, and student engagement. We are also launching Return the Hive, an initiative designed to welcome stopped-out students back to Baker College while eliminating institutional debt, because unfinished education should never mean unfinished opportunity. Our selection as one of just 12 institutions in Michigan to join the First Gen Network further strengthens our ability to support first-generation students from enrollment through graduation.
Our impact extends well beyond our classrooms. An independent economic impact study confirms that Baker College generates billions of dollars in economic activity annually for Michigan, driven by the success of our alums. Those graduates are strengthening the workforce, leading organizations, and making a difference in communities across the state and beyond.
Academic excellence and innovation remain central to who we are. Baker College programs continue to demonstrate strong outcomes on national licensure and certification exams, and our faculty actively contribute to research, scholarship, and professional practice, bringing both rigor and relevance into the learning experience. We continue to expand high-demand programs, such as our accelerated 10-month MBA, and are thoughtfully integrating artificial intelligence tools to enhance learning, advising, and student support. These efforts contribute to Baker College outperforming peer institutions in student satisfaction and innovation and to our recognition as a Top Online School by Newsweek.
Beyond academics, our students and alums bring pride and distinction to Baker College. From The Swarm’s 2024 National Esports Collegiate Conference Division II Championship in Valorant to alum leadership across healthcare, business, education, technology, and public service, the Baker College community continues to lead, serve, and inspire.
None of this is possible without our people. Being recognized as a Best Place to Work reflects a culture where faculty and staff are valued, supported, and empowered, because when we take care of those who serve our students, our students succeed.
Baker College’s strength lies not only in what we accomplish, but in how we remain true to who we are: student-first, people-centered, and focused on meaningful impact. I am proud of this community and confident in the difference we will continue to make.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jacqui Spicer
President and CEO