May 21, 2025

Ferris State President Pink tells state lawmakers elite Opportunity University ranking reflects differences made in Michigan students’ lives

Ferris State University’s recent elite Opportunity University ranking reflects that students are gaining good careers and building Michigan’s talented workforce, President Bill Pink told lawmakers on Wednesday.

Pink joined leaders from four other state universities in appearing before the state House Appropriation Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges on Wednesday as the panel continues working on the state’s 2025-2026 budget.

University presidents spoke about how state investment in higher education provides access to residents to gain valuable skills for in-demand careers, building a talented workforce to support Michigan’s economy.

“In my more than 30 years of being in higher education, never have I seen the value proposition of higher education questioned as it is now,” Pink said. “It has been interesting to have these conversations locally, regionally, and nationally.”

Pink said Ferris State’s value is reflected in the recent Opportunity University designation, part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education, national organizations devoted to supporting and advocating for higher education.

Ferris State is in the top 13 percent of about 4,000 universities, earning the prestigious Opportunity University ranking.

“What Carnegie is saying is ‘When students are done with your institution, what happens then? What kind of earnings do they have? What does that look like in terms of life going forward?” Pink said.

“Those institutions are truly providing opportunities for their graduates to be successful in this thing called life when it comes to earnings. I’m proud to say I work for one of those institutions that is ranked as an Opportunity University.”

Pink noted that about 54 percent of Ferris State’s students identify as first-generation college students and is one of 18 universities in the nation recognized as a champion by the First-Gen Forward Network for its work supporting students and sharing best practices with other colleges. That speaks of the social mobility of a Ferris State degree and changing lives, potentially for generations to come.

“One thing you’ll see at our university is our mantra: We build champions. You’ll see that all over campus,” he said.

Pink told lawmakers part of that champion-building refers to the football team winning three of the last four NCAA Division II titles and success from the volleyball team, men’s and women’s basketball teams and other student-athletes.

“I tell you, when we say, ‘Ferris State builds champions,’ it is also talking about the many students across our campus who are part of what makes us an Opportunity University,” he said. “It is those who are graduating and leaving our institution and making a difference in this state and making a difference in the lives off the people who they touch whether it be in a social work environment, a healthcare environment, building houses or welding to make a structure safe, we build champions.”

Pink was joined by presidents from Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Michigan Technological University.