LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is proud to announce the third cohort of the Student Counselor Fellows program. Offered in collaboration with San Diego State University’s Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment, this innovative two-year program provides a select group of Michigan school counselors with ongoing mentorship and training rooted in leadership and advocacy development for postsecondary attainment.
In alignment with Michigan’s Sixty by 30 goal, the School Counselor Fellows program focuses on urgent and timely issues impacting school counselor practice for postsecondary planning. Fellows engage in discussions around mental health and wellness, equity-driven leadership, data-driven practices and other relevant topics. At the end of two years, fellows will have created an advocacy project that can be directly applied to their school community and leveraged to positively impact the school counseling community throughout the state. Thanks to MCAN’s state appropriation and philanthropic partnerships, this program is offered at no cost to the school counselors or their school districts.
Eight Michigan school counselors have been selected for the third cohort of School Counselor Fellows:
- Chanel Yousif, Ypsilanti Community Schools (Ypsilanti)
- Melissa Bedell, White Cloud Junior High (White Cloud)
- Stacia Weeks, Wayne RESA (Wayne)
- Alexandria Phelps, International Academy East (Troy)
- Kristin Kuczera, DeWitt High School (DeWitt)
- LeDetra Lindsey, Redford Union High School (Redford Charter Township)
- Amanda Gohl, Wylie E. Groves High School (Beverly Hills)
- Theresa Marcum, Howell High School (Howell)
“Addressing the talent gap in Michigan requires us getting more students — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color — to and through college,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “School counselors are uniquely positioned to help students understand their postsecondary options and guide them to a path that aligns with their interests and career goals. This partnership with the Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment allows us to offer cutting edge, equity-driven professional development to Michigan counselors, with a goal of improving college readiness, participation, and completion across the state.”
The first cohort of School Counselor Fellows recently completed the program, and the 11 graduating school counselors had the opportunity to be recognized and share their advocacy projects at MCAN’s 11th annual conference, held Nov. 9-10 at the Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
To learn more about the School Counselor Fellows program, visit micollegeaccess.org/initiatives/counselor-fellows.
Program offers advanced training in leadership, advocacy for Michigan school counselors