There are exceptions, but in general, we haven’t heard much good news about the state of Michigan for a while. For the most part, the state is still facing extremely tough times, and the news we hear reflects that. So Michigan Radio wanted to start the New Year with a series of interviews looking forward… and looking at how we can all make things a bit better for our state.

Our series is called “Three Things.” Michigan Radio’s Christina Shockley begins the series by speaking with Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Governor Granholm begins by focusing on the importance of education for Michigan’s future. Citing her own goal of doubling the number of graduates from colleges and technical schools, Granholm stresses the need to make education a priority in every home in Michigan.

Recognizing that a college education was not as vital to her generation as it is to younger generations today, Granholm says, “We have to tell these kids that we’re not competing with Ohio and Indiana. We are competing with India and China, and the rest of the globe is going to eat us for lunch unless we have an educated population.”

The benefits of focusing on education now will become apparent in the future, says Granholm, adding, “The most important long-term strategy is to make sure we have, and create, an educated population.”

For her second idea, Governor Granholm acknowledges the shifting economy in Michigan and says it’s time for Michiganders to rediscover a culture of entrepreneurship. If any Michigander has ever aspired to open his or her own business, “This is the time to do it,” says Granholm. “We want people to think of themselves as their own boss,” she adds.

Excited about the potential of entrepreneurship in Michigan, Granholm says, “We’re really encouraging Michigan citizens to explore the resources available to them to change the direction of their own career and obviously the direction of the state’s economy.”

Granholm’s final idea to improve the state is to encourage individuals to volunteer. “Obviously volunteering in these tough times gives an opportunity for people to change lives,” she says, “It’s proven to be a lifesaver in difficult economic times.”

In particular, Granholm urges individuals to get involved by mentoring a child. Referring to a mentorship program she set up as Attorney General, Governor Granholm says, “We team up with Big Brothers Big Sisters. We craft a mentoring relationship that is easy for people to do but has meaning.” She asks anyone interested in mentorship to visit the program’s website at www.michigan.gov/mentormichigan.

Governor Granholm says it’s not difficult to be a good mentor, adding, “If somebody doesn’t have a whole lot of time, if they’ve got two hours per week to be able to be teamed up with a child who just desperately needs a friend, some love, some stable adult, caring attention, this would be your opportunity to change the world through two lives at a time: your own and the child’s.”