Read our 2025 Impact Report as we gear up for our 25th anniversary this fall!

Preparing the Next Generation of Southeast Michigan Leaders.

Thrive Scholars helps high-achieving students from low income communities across Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washtenaw counties succeed at top colleges and achieve their full career potential.

Through our comprehensive six-year program, Scholars receive academic preparation, personalized college guidance, ongoing college support, career development, mentorship, and access to a powerful professional network.

Support Scholars from Southeast Michigan
Contact the Southeast Michigan Executive Director

Expanding opportunity across Southeast Michigan.

In Southeast Michigan, Thrive Scholars supports talented students from high school through college graduation and into the early stages of their careers, helping close gaps in academic preparation and professional access while creating pathways to long-term economic mobility.

Average family income
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Average High School GPA
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First generation in their families to attend college
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Where Scholars from Southeast Michigan go.

Michigan, Columbia, Harvard, Penn — and campuses across the country. Scholars don’t just get in. They graduate with the record, the internships, and the relationships that turn a degree into a career.

How Thrive Scholars invests in students.

  • College Perparation

    Rigorous academic preparation for highly selective colleges

  • College Success

    Academic guidance, personalized coaching, encouragement, and support throughout college

  • Career Readiness

    Career coaching, mentorship, internships, and professional networks

  • Lifelong Community

    A national community of Scholars, alumni, employers, and supporters

Explore Our Six-Year Program

What Scholars and partners say.

Thrive Scholars has provided me with the essential skills to excel in higher education while fostering lifelong connections. Through its supportive networks, I have received emotional, academic, and financial guidance that has been instrumental in shaping my journey.

Kelly, Yale University Southeast Michigan Thrive Scholar

General Motors is excited to work with Thrive Scholars and their data driven approach to support youth across the country. With nearly 2,000 students impacted, this programming is inspiring a whole new generation of innovators and leaders in STEM.

Hal Garling Hal Garling Head of Grantmaking, General Motors

Southeast Michigan has many brilliant young people … yet access to opportunities is often inequitable. That’s why Ballmer Group is proud to support Thrive Scholars’ expansion in our region … I am excited to engage with these future leaders and support their continued success.

Kayla Roney Smith Kayla Roney Smith Ballmer Group

Partner with Thrive Scholars Southeast Michigan.

Become a Corporate Partner

Companies, foundations, and community leaders can help build a more representative regional workforce by investing in talented Southeast Michigan students.

Ways to partner:

  • Make a financial investment through multi-year grants, cohort sponsorships, or unrestricted gifts
  • Engage employees as mentors, speakers, and volunteers
  • Offer internships and early-career opportunities for Scholars
  • Host or sponsor regional programming

Fund a named group of Boston Scholars and follow them from high school to first job. Your company's name travels with them.

Ensemble of students in Thrive Scholar shirts

Regional Leadership

Meet the local leaders helping expand Thrive Scholars’ impact throughout Southeast Michigan.

    • Dawn Beatty avatar

      Dawn Beatty

      Vice President of Human Resources, Microsoft Corporation

    • Mike Lipinski avatar

      Mike Lipinski

      Partner, Plante Moran

    • Gerrod Parchmon avatar

      Gerrod Parchmon

      Managing Director, Regulatory & Change Management Governance, JPMorgan Chase

    • Dr. Soma Venkat avatar

      Dr. Soma Venkat

      Senior Vice President, Chief Information Technology and AI Officer, Cooper Standard

    • Mahja D. Zeon avatar

      Mahja D. Zeon

      Partner, Honigman LLP

Southeast Michigan Sponsors

Our Southeast Michigan program is made possible by corporations and foundations invested in making a difference across the Michigan area.

Connect with Thrive Scholars Southeast Michigan.

Join us in creating extraordinary college and career opportunities for talented students throughout Southeast Michigan.