Great Lakes Colleges Association facts for kids

The Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA) is a special group of 13 colleges. These colleges are called liberal arts colleges, which means they teach many different subjects like science, history, and art, helping students learn broadly. The GLCA helps these colleges work together and become stronger.

The GLCA's main office is in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its 13 colleges are located in the states around the Great Lakes, including Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The group was officially started in 1962 as a non-profit organization. This means it uses any money it earns to support its goals, not to make a profit for owners. The GLCA's main goal is to support and improve education in the liberal arts and sciences.

The GLCA also created and manages another group called the Global Liberal Arts Alliance. This alliance helps liberal arts colleges around the world connect and share ideas.

How the GLCA Works

The GLCA runs several programs to help its member colleges and their students.

Helping with College Costs

One important program is the Tuition Remission Exchange. This program helps students whose parents work at one of the GLCA colleges. If a student is eligible, they can receive help with their college tuition at any of the 13 GLCA colleges. This program also includes students from Beloit College, Grinnell College, Willamette University, and Wittenberg University.

Awards for Writers

Each year, the GLCA gives out three special awards called literary prizes. These prizes honor new writers for their very first books. There is a prize for a poet, a fiction writer (someone who writes stories), and a creative nonfiction writer (someone who writes true stories in an interesting way). The winning authors get to visit several GLCA colleges. They meet with students, read from their books, and lead discussions. They also receive a payment for their visit.

Studying in Philadelphia

The GLCA also works with Albion College to manage The Philadelphia Center. This program lets college students study away from their main campus. Students live and learn independently in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and can earn college credits while they are there. It's a great way to experience city life and learn new things.

New Members

In 2008, Allegheny College became a new member of the GLCA. This was the first time the group had invited a new college to join in 46 years.

Member Colleges

The colleges that are part of the GLCA are:

• Albion College
• Allegheny College
• Antioch College
• Denison University
• DePauw University
• Earlham College
• Hope College
• Kalamazoo College
• Kenyon College
• Oberlin College
• Ohio Wesleyan University
• Wabash College
• College of Wooster