Michigan Virtual University: Providing Online Learning Opportunities

Founded in 1998, Michigan Virtual University (MVU) is a 501(c)3 corporation that provides a variety of services to Michigan’s K–12 education community focused in the area of online learning. This article will outline the historical context in which Michigan Virtual University was created and how it has transformed to its current state. MVU is not an actual university. Rather, it provides services focused on Michigan’s K–12, not postsecondary environment. Furthermore, MVU does not issue diplomas. Examining the origins of MVU will help clarify why the organization’s name includes the term “university.”

Michigan Virtual University can trace its roots to 1996. At that time, representatives from three of Michigan’s major state universities—Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University—met with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to talk about how to successfully provide education and training to employees of the auto industry, Michigan’s largest manufacturing industry and the main economic engine for the state. As a result of these conversations, which also included the big three auto companies of Michigan—Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors—and funding provided by MEDC, the Michigan Virtual Automotive College (MVAC) was created. The focus of MVAC was to provide training to employees of the automotive companies on topics that were considered nonproprietary, and would be beneficial to employees of all the companies. Some specific areas they focused on were leaner manufacturing and workplace safety (J. Fitzpatrick, personal communication, April 7, 2015).