CMU becomes first public university in Michigan to guarantee jobs after graduation

What’s Happening: On Jan. 15, 2026 Central Michigan University announced their launch of The Central Career Guarantee, becoming the first public university in Michigan to guarantee a job or graduate school after graduation.

Understanding the Guarantee: According to the university, starting in the fall semester, eligible main campus students and online undergraduate students will be able to opt in to the program. It will consist of a series of steps students must complete in phases. Steps include meeting with career coaches and academic advisors, participating in career development and success coaching activities, attendance at a variety of university events, and attending class regularly while engaging with faculty instructors. 

Who Can Participate: New domestic transfer students, incoming domestic first-year students, as well as current and returning domestic students who have at least 60 hours remaining to complete their CMU undergraduate degree will be eligible to participate in the fall launch. 

Those who do not qualify or choose not to participate in the program can still have the support and services of the program, however they will not qualify to receive financial assistance after graduation from The Guarantee. 

More on the Financial Assistance: CMU says with The Guarantee, students who do not receive a job offer, or are not accepted into a professional school or graduate program within six months from graduation, are eligible to receive $2,000 of financial support. This money is to assist with paying student load payments, continuing the job search, or other needs. 

What They’re Saying: Jennifer DeHaemers, vice president for student recruitment and retention at CMU, says The Central Career Guarantee is a response to the number-one reason students and their families choose to pursue higher education: better job prospects. 

“The language of The Guarantee is new, but the student success supports and services behind the program are not,” DeHaemers says. “We know that increased engagement in the classroom, regular meetings with faculty instructors, academic advisors and career coaches, and frequent participation in career development activities help students land great jobs and great offers from graduate schools. With The Guarantee, we are ensuring that more CMU students are aware of and participating in everything the university has to offer.”

“Every CMU student has access to the impactful resources CMU has to offer, and we hope that students who are not eligible will still choose to meet with their advisors, work with the Career Development Center, and participate in all the transformational activities available to them,” she says. 

Words From the President: “At CMU, we know that our approach to hands-on learning, leadership development and student success works. It’s why our students already enjoy a 94.3% Career Outcomes Rate, and why our alumni are leaders in their professions and in their communities,” says Neil MacKinnon, CMU’s president. “We’re confident that we offer students an exceptional education that delivers real-world results, and now we guarantee it.”