Michigan College Access Network honors 9 higher education champions at College Access Impact Awards
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network recognized nine individuals and organizations advancing postsecondary access and success across the state during its College Access Impact Awards ceremony yesterday evening. This year's College Access Impact Awards introduced seven redesigned categories celebrating work at every stage of a student's journey from high school through higher education, from academic readiness and affordability, to college completion and attainment.
The ceremony took place during MCAN's 15th annual conference, held Nov. 3-4 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Mich. This year's theme, College: Michigan's Foundation, Michigan's Future, emphasized the value of postsecondary education beyond the individual level to community and statewide benefits.
The awards recognize outstanding contributions in seven areas: academic readiness, affordability, enrollment, persistence, completion, culture, and attainment. Together, they reflect the many ways educators, institutions, and community partners help students overcome barriers and move Michigan closer to its Sixty by 30 goal, which aims to increase the percentage of working-age residents with a postsecondary degree or certificate to 60% by 2030.
“Behind that goal are people who lead with bravery, find solutions where others see barriers, and who bring a deep love for students and the future of our state to everything they do,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “These awards allow us to celebrate what these individuals and organizations have accomplished and the difference they're making for students across Michigan. Each honoree shows how working together can open doors for students and help them earn a postsecondary degree or certificate.”
CHUCK WILBUR PROMISE KEEPER AWARD
Presented by the Michigan Promise Zones Association, the Chuck Wilbur Promise Keeper Award recognizes exceptional leadership in expanding access to tuition-free college opportunities and postsecondary education. This year's recipient, Hazel Park Promise Zone, has helped students and families navigate the path to and through college through personalized advising, scholarships, and ongoing student support.
Since 2012, Hazel Park Promise Zone has worked to make postsecondary education more accessible to Hazel Park School graduates, including through a tuition-free pathway to an associate degree at Oakland Community College for eligible resident graduates. Its support also extends beyond tuition, connecting students with college preparation, financial aid assistance, mentorship, and postsecondary success coaching.
During the 2024-25 school year, Hazel Park Promise Zone supported more than 540 students, helped students submit over 400 college applications and 125 FAFSA forms, and awarded more than $111,000 in postsecondary funding. Its efforts also helped students secure $40,000 in additional aid, demonstrating the impact of comprehensive support before and after high school graduation.
"The Hazel Park Promise Zone is honored to have been nominated by our peers in the Michigan Promise Zone Association. Every day, I draw inspiration from those same individuals doing the work to get our students to and through college. So it means the world to us that they think so highly of our organization. On behalf of the Hazel Park Promise Zone, I want to thank the MPZA for this nomination, but more importantly, all the past and current Promise Zone employees that made this possible."
Fernando X Monge, M.S., M.B.A.
Executive Director, Hazel Park Promise Zone
CERTIFICATE IN BUILDING FOUNDATIONS AWARD
The Certificate in Building Foundations Award, sponsored by OneGoal, recognizes outstanding efforts to strengthen academic preparation and ensure students have the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in postsecondary education.
This year's recipient, Madison High School in Adrian, has shown how creative leadership and strategic use of local resources can expand educational opportunities for students. By using funding from its intermediate school district to cover dual enrollment costs, Madison helps students pursue college-level coursework while still in high school.
Through its ongoing commitment to academic readiness and postsecondary planning, Madison High School continues to create pathways that prepare students for their next steps. Its approach demonstrates how schools can build on existing partnerships and resources to help more students graduate ready to pursue their educational goals.
“Madison High School is incredibly honored to be recognized for our commitment to ensuring each of our students is academically prepared for success beyond high school! This award reflects the dedication of our staff and school community as we work together to equip our students with the knowledge and skills needed for them to thrive in postsecondary education and beyond. We are proud of our students and the work that we do to help them reach their fullest potential!”
Kristin Thomas
Principal, Madison High School
BACHELOR'S IN BREAKING BARRIERS AWARD
The Bachelor's in Breaking Barriers Award, sponsored by Oakland80, recognizes exceptional leadership in making college more financially accessible and helping students navigate the resources available to support their education.
This year's recipient, Kemmoree Duncombe of Kirtland Community College, has dedicated her career to helping students understand and access financial aid, removing barriers that can prevent them from beginning or continuing their postsecondary education.
Her work supports students at multiple stages of their educational journeys, from understanding financial aid options before enrolling to resolving financial challenges that threaten their ability to remain in college. She has also helped adult learners access programs such as Michigan Reconnect and supported veterans in navigating the educational benefits they have earned through service.
By making complex financial aid systems more accessible, Duncombe helps ensure investments in college affordability reach the students who need them and translate into meaningful educational opportunities.
"Behind every policy, process, and program is a student trying to figure out if college is possible for them. I believe our responsibility is to make sure the complexity of higher education never causes us to lose sight of that student — to advocate, translate, remove barriers, and help them see a path forward. I am deeply honored to receive the Bachelor's in Breaking Barriers recognition from MCAN."
Kemmoree Duncombe, M.S.A., FAAC®
Director of Financial Aid, Kirtland Community College
ASSOCIATE IN ARRIVAL AWARD
The Associate in Arrival Award, sponsored by EAB, recognizes outstanding efforts to turn college aspirations into confirmed enrollment, particularly for students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.
This year's recipient, Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities (MICU), has played an instrumental role in strengthening college access and enrollment opportunities across the state through its longstanding partnership with MCAN.
MICU played a key role in developing MI College Match, MCAN's statewide direct admissions initiative, expanding participation among Michigan's independent colleges and simplifying the admissions process for students.
Beyond initial enrollment, MICU has worked across institutions and sectors to strengthen college transfer pathways, helping students continue their education and make progress toward earning a degree. Through these partnerships, MICU continues to advance systems-level change that makes college enrollment and success more accessible for Michigan students.
“Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities is honored to receive MCAN’s Associate’s in Arrival Award, recognizing our demonstrated impact in turning college aspiration into confirmed enrollment, particularly among non-traditional student populations. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner closely with Michigan College Access Network on its direct admissions strategy, as well as on strengthening transfer pathways and supporting students along their college journeys.
“Michigan’s independent institutions are an integral part of the higher education mosaic, and our connection with MCAN helps ensure that students across the state have access to their best-fit institution. MCAN is the only statewide, student-centered organization connecting K-12 to higher education and challenging all of us to do better. We are grateful for MCAN’s steadfast partnership with Michigan’s independent, nonprofit colleges and universities and look forward to many more years of collaboration. The entire higher education community wants to see Michigan students find belonging and success in college, wherever they may enroll. MCAN makes this possible and helps us all be more effective.”
Robert LeFevre
President, Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities
MASTER'S IN MOMENTUM AWARD
The Master's in Momentum Award, sponsored by ReUp Education, recognizes an institution or organization that demonstrates exceptional commitment to helping students remain enrolled and make continued progress toward a postsecondary degree or certificate.
This year's recipient, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, grounds student success in community, cultural connection, and a strong sense of belonging. Beyond the classroom, the college provides coordinated support for students' academic and personal needs throughout their education. Through academic advising, financial aid assistance, career development, student advocacy, and transfer planning, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College helps students navigate challenges and remain connected to their educational goals.
The college's culturally grounded approach reflects the important role that relationships and community play in student persistence, creating an environment where learners feel supported as they work toward completing their education and pursuing future opportunities.
"At Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, we believe that every student deserves access to the support, resources, and encouragement needed to succeed. This recognition from Michigan College Access Network highlights the collective efforts of our students, faculty, staff, Tribal leadership, and community partners who make that vision a reality. We are honored by this award and motivated to continue advancing educational opportunities for current and future generations."
Dr. Amanda Flaugher
Dean of Students, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
PH.D. IN PERSEVERANCE AWARD
The Ph.D. in Perseverance Award, sponsored by Business Leaders for Michigan, recognizes outstanding efforts to help students overcome barriers to earning a postsecondary degree or certificate, with a focus on measurable improvements in college completion.
This year's recipient, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, has demonstrated national leadership in student success by building an institutional culture focused on helping students complete their education.
Through intentionally designed advising models, financial support, and academic pathways, the university works to ensure students facing significant barriers have the resources and opportunities to graduate. Its coordinated academic and community-building initiatives have earned national recognition for supporting first-generation college students throughout their educational journeys.
By putting completion at the center of its student success strategies, the University of Michigan-Dearborn demonstrates how higher education institutions can create lasting systems of support that help more students earn degrees and pursue meaningful careers.
“The University of Michigan-Dearborn is extremely honored to receive the Ph.D. in Perseverance Award from the Michigan College Access Network. This recognition reflects the dedicated efforts of our faculty and staff in making a college education affordable and accessible to students of all backgrounds and ensuring our students are well-supported on the path to their degree. With 94% of UM-Dearborn undergraduates working in Michigan after graduation, our degree completion efforts are making a profound difference not only in the lives of our students but for the state of Michigan as a whole.”
Dr. Gabriella Scarlatta
Chancellor, University of Michigan-Dearborn
BACHELOR'S IN OPPORTUNITY AWARD
The Bachelor's in Opportunity Award, sponsored by the Michigan Works! Association, recognizes sustained efforts to build an inclusive college-going culture where postsecondary education is encouraged, accessible, and celebrated.
This year's recipient, the College and Career Access Center of Jackson, provides free, individualized college and career advising across all 13 Jackson County school districts and throughout the community. Each year, its programs introduce more than 1,000 eighth graders to colleges, employers, and career pathways, provide college exploration experiences for over 800 high school juniors, and include more than 1,100 senior advising meetings.
During the 2025-26 school year, the center supported the adoption of Universal FAFSA in 11 of Jackson County's 13 school districts, contributing to the county's highest recorded FAFSA completion rate of 75.3%. Its support extends beyond high school through ongoing outreach to more than 6,000 alumni, connecting former students with opportunities to continue their education.
With a leadership team bringing 40 years of combined experience in postsecondary attainment and six college and career advisers serving high schools throughout the county, the center continues to make college planning and access part of the everyday educational experience for Jackson County students.
“This recognition belongs not only to our CCAC team and Board, but most importantly to the students and families who have done the hard work of pursuing their goals, and to an entire community that has rallied around them. Across Jackson County, our K-12 schools, colleges, businesses, government, nonprofits, and community partners have worked collectively and intentionally to build a culture where postsecondary education and training feel attainable and celebrated. We are incredibly proud of the progress we have made together in moving the needle on postsecondary attainment. This award is a meaningful reflection of what can happen when an entire community shares responsibility for opening doors, removing barriers, and creating opportunity for its students.”
Nancy Peters-Lewis
Executive Director, College and Career Access Center of Jackson
DOCTORATE OF DISTINCTION AWARD
The Doctorate of Distinction Award recognizes exceptional contributions to increasing the percentage of Michigan residents who earn postsecondary degrees and certificates, advancing the state's Sixty by 30 goal.
This year's recipient, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), has expanded postsecondary opportunity statewide through major investments in college affordability and student success.
Since 2023, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship has provided more than $740 million in financial assistance to over 110,000 students, reducing financial barriers to college. Michigan Reconnect has also reengaged more than 94,000 adult learners in opportunities to pursue postsecondary education and career advancement.
These investments have significantly expanded state-funded financial aid, with the share of Michigan undergraduate students receiving assistance more than doubling since 2019. Through additional investments in student success, transfer pathways, and partnerships with higher education institutions, MiLEAP continues to strengthen the systems that help Michigan students enroll, persist, and complete their education.
MiLEAP's statewide leadership is growing educational opportunities for students of all ages, helping more Michiganders earn degrees and certificates that support their economic mobility while strengthening Michigan's workforce and communities.
"This recognition is a testament to the incredible work happening across MiLEAP to ensure every student is prepared for success in and out of the classroom. Student success begins long before college, and opportunity must extend throughout a person's educational journey beginning at birth. From a child's earliest experiences to an adult's pursuit of a degree or credential, our responsibility is to build a strong, more connected education continuum where every Michigander has a clear path to reach their full potential. Our partnership with MCAN is essential to advancing that work and strengthening Michigan's future."
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea
Executive Director, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential
BRANDY JOHNSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD
The Brandy Johnson Board of Directors Award recognizes an individual or organization whose exceptional leadership and support have advanced MCAN's mission and Michigan's Sixty by 30 goal.
This year's recipient, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has championed historic investments in postsecondary education, helping expand college access and affordability for Michigan residents.
Under her leadership, Michigan has advanced its Sixty by 30 goal through programs such as Michigan Reconnect, the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the Community College Guarantee, reducing financial barriers and expanding postsecondary opportunities for residents.
These efforts have helped make postsecondary education more attainable for recent high school graduates and working adults, connecting more Michiganders with pathways to good-paying careers and greater economic opportunity. Her continued support of college access and attainment reflects a commitment to investing in Michigan's people as the foundation of the state's future.
Unable to attend the ceremony in person, Gov. Whitmer shared a video message with the audience.
“This award means a lot to me. We did some good work together, and as I get across the state, one of the things that’s clear to me is that this work has made one of the biggest differences in the lives of Michiganders. I’m proud of what we’ve done because when we create access to opportunity and skills, we change people’s lives. This is quite an award, and something that I think is one of the most important things that we were able to get done in these eight years. And so, my only request of all of you is to stay in this work and keep going. There’s always more to do. The next administration will benefit from your expertise and your advocacy, and I’ll be cheering you on.”
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan