By: Mike Land, Huntington Southeast Michigan & Northwest Ohio Regional President
Graduation is one of those moments that stay with you. In our communities, it fills the air with optimism, promise and excitement. It is a time to celebrate hard work, perseverance and achievement, and just as importantly, to look ahead to what comes next.
For students across Detroit, that next step will look different. Some will continue their education. Others will enter the workforce, start building careers or explore new paths. What’s consistent, though, is that this transition marks the beginning of applying what you’ve learned in real-world settings.
As I reflect on my own journey and what I have learned over time as a leader, a few lessons stand out.
First, always be yourself and stay authentic. You do not need to have everything figured out on day one, but you do need to be grounded in who you are. People are drawn to authenticity, and trust is built when you show up consistently, are honest about what you know and what you don’t and are willing to learn along the way.
Second, be curious and take the time to understand the “why.” Ask questions. Listen closely. Whether you are in a classroom, a first job or a new environment, understanding the bigger picture will help you make better decisions and see how your contributions connect to something larger. Curiosity and transparency go hand in hand, and they are critical to building both confidence and credibility.
And third, be willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work alongside others. Success is not built alone. It comes from being part of a team, supporting those around you and being willing to step in wherever needed. The strongest teams, and the strongest leaders, are the ones who put the group first and move forward with a shared purpose.
These beliefs are central to how I think about leadership. I’ve always believed in being authentic, transparent and focused on supporting others, doing the work alongside them and helping remove obstacles so teams can succeed. When people understand the “why,” feel supported and know they are part of something bigger, they will do their best work.
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These same principles also shape how we think about our role in the community. Preparing the next generation for what’s ahead is not something students should carry alone. It is a shared responsibility across schools, families, businesses and community organizations. When we work together, we can better connect learning with opportunity and create clearer pathways into the workforce.
Across our region, we see that impact through scholarships and workforce readiness efforts designed to help students prepare for what comes next. From financial education to career exposure and hands-on learning opportunities, these programs are focused on building confidence, expanding access and creating clearer connections between education and real-world opportunity. For example, Huntington supports programs like the Detroit Public Schools Community District Foundation’s workforce initiatives and Courageous, Inc.’s EventWorks Academy, which prepares Detroit youth for careers in sports, entertainment and event management.
This commitment also includes direct financial support through scholarships. We’re proud to partner on local scholarship initiatives like S.W.A.G. (Student Wired for Achievement and Greatness), Berkley Schools, Kalasho and Education & Youth Services, and Leaders Advancing & Helping Communities, where we invest directly in students and celebrate what they have achieved.
This is how I believe we move forward: staying grounded in our values, putting hard work first and investing in others. When we commit to workforce readiness and create pathways to opportunity, we help ensure the next generation is prepared not just for what comes next, but for the role they will play in shaping the future of our region.
