Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti says it’s “revolutionizing” health education for young leaders with the launch of Way Forward@EMU, an initiative supported by a $1,016,850 grant from the Toyota Way Forward Fund.
Designed to empower high school students from Ypsilanti, Wayne/Westland, and Romulus, the program bridges health education with career readiness, equipping participants with tools to drive real community impact.
Housed within Engage@EMU and supported by EMU’s Robert Thomson Center for the Advancement of Neurobehavioral Health, the program offers a six- to eight-week paid learning experience with weekly sessions covering traumatic brain injury (TBI) awareness, mental health, nutrition, and wellness. Students will creatively showcase their knowledge, earn a $100 stipend, and gain opportunities to transform their communities as peer health educators.
“Way Forward@EMU represents a bold step in developing the next generation of healthcare leaders by putting tools, training, and mentorship directly into the hands of young people,” says Sondrea Singleton, director of Way Forward@EMU. “When we equip youth to educate their peers and communities, we’re not just raising awareness — we’re creating lasting change.”
Built on a hub-and-spoke model for community-based health care transformation, the program taps into EMU’s faculty expertise, mentorship programs, and partnerships with organizations like Corner Health Center. Its goals include:
- Certifying more than 75 students as Community Health Educators (CHEs) by December 2025.
- Reaching over 800 youth, families, and community members with TBI-focused education.
- Providing experiential opportunities with at least 10 healthcare organizations.
- Supporting college readiness through structured mentorship.
Participants earn digital credentials through EMU’s Office of Professional Programs and Training, creating a direct pathway to postsecondary success. CHEs deliver peer education across schools, community centers, and faith-based organizations, using a curriculum co-developed with Corner Health Center. Ongoing mentorship through EMU’s Pre-Service Health Center reinforces academic and career preparedness.
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In Related News: EMU has announced a new partnership with eCampus.com, naming the company as the university’s official online bookstore beginning in the Fall 2025 semester. The collaboration is designed to enhance the student and faculty experience by streamlining access to required course materials while improving affordability and convenience.
Through a customized online storefront, EMU students will gain access to professor-assigned textbooks and digital resources via a single sign-on process. They will be able to choose from a variety of cost-saving options including new, used, rental, and digital formats. A dedicated marketplace is expected to further expand affordability by offering competitively priced materials from third-party sellers. With the added value of a price match guarantee, free shipping to campus, dedicated customer support, and easy returns accepted up to 30 days after the start of classes, students will benefit from a flexible and reliable system tailored to both academic and financial needs, according to the company.
Faculty also are expected to experience significant advantages through the partnership. The eCampus.com FAST adoption platform will serve as a centralized hub for researching and selecting course materials from a catalog of more than 10 million titles. Faculty will have the ability to compare prices, track adoption history, make real-time updates, request desk copies, and create custom materials — all from within one system. Additionally, the platform’s student readiness dashboard offers real-time insights into purchasing behavior, helping instructors better support their classes.
“We’re excited to welcome eCampus.com to EMU’s campus,” says Walter Kraft, vice president of communications at EMU. “Having a bookstore with a national presence and reputation such as eCampus.com will bring great benefits and ease of service to our students and faculty. We look forward to how eCampus.com will enhance the book selection and purchasing experience.”
