MCAN has invested in community and regional mobilization as a key strategy since its inception in 2010 and remains committed to reaching the state's Sixty by 30 goal by supporting schools and organizations that impact a community's students and families. Through Community Ambassador contracts, MCAN partners with communities across the state to increase local engagement and reach, with the ultimate goal of increasing college access and enrollment. Community Ambassadors dedicate time and effort towards facilitating participation and promoting MCAN opportunities across their community, building and expanding relationships with organizations and within the community, and supporting MCAN communication strategies by contributing content and building local media relations.
Expectations and Deliverables
Specific expectations of Community Ambassadors are to:
- Connect MCAN resources and opportunities (listed below) with appropriate organizations within the community
- Build and expand relationships with organizations and schools within the community
- Host annual convening of local organizations for an MCAN presentation
- Attend the MCAN annual conference
- Assist MCAN communication strategies through contributing content and building local media relations
- Attend MCAN Community Ambassador Convenings (to be determined)
MCAN resources and opportunities to be distributed and promoted:
- Participation in MCAN’s Movement: Sixty by 30
- High school statewide initiatives (Michigan College Month, College Cash Campaign, and College Decision Day – now one campaign called College Bound Michigan)
- MCAN grant opportunities such as High School Innovation Grants and Innovative Program Grants
- School counselor professional development opportunities
- College advisers through AdviseMI and the MSU College Advising Corps
- MCAN annual conference attendance
- College Access Advocacy Day
- Higher Education Advisory Board
- Other college access trainings and webinars as available
- Any new programs developed by MCAN
The contract will be negotiated and tailored to each community including the metrics by which the community ambassador’s work is measured. At the end of each contract year, the community ambassador will be required to submit a final report of activities and accomplishments during the year. The contract will be revisited and considered for continuation annually as appropriate per funds available and performance success.
Selection Process
Each year, MCAN will invite communities to become MCAN community ambassadors. Special consideration will be made for communities that meet all or some of the following criteria:
- Opportunities to increase engagement in existing MCAN initiatives
- High population of low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color
- Low college enrollment and/or large equity gaps therein
Final decisions regarding awards will be contingent upon the recommendations of the staff and available funds.
If your community fits these requirements and is interested in having a community ambassador, please reach out to Dominique Devereaux, director of community mobilization strategy.