Lansing, Mich. — As 2024 draws to a close, Michigan College Access Network is excited to head into the new year with the addition of three highly respected individuals to its Board of Directors. Northern Michigan University President Brock Tessman, Song Foundation Executive Director Khalilah Burt Gaston and Memorial Healthcare Associate Vice President of Advocacy and Government Relations Ben Frederick were all approved in September at the board’s annual meeting.
Tessman began his tenure at NMU in February 2023, having previously served as the deputy commissioner of higher education for the 16 campuses that comprise the Montana University System. He has also held positions at the University of Montana in Missoula and the University of Georgia.
“I am a firm believer that every person deserves an equal opportunity to earn success, and I see that clearly in the mission and work of Michigan College Access Network,” said Tessman. “I am honored to join the MCAN Board of Directors, because I know that a college education, in any form, is a transformational opportunity for our students and for our state. I bring to the board a commitment to support college access and success, leading to degree attainment for more and more Michiganders.”
As founding executive director of the Song Foundation, Gaston oversees its efforts to invest in ideas, people, and organizations that amplify equity, power, prosperity, and joy in Southeast Michigan. In addition, she runs her own consulting practice, Glidepath Strategies, where she helps mission-driven organizations align their aspirations and strategies for impact. Over the course of her career, Gaston has been instrumental in the success of projects totaling nearly $1 billion, including the design and launch of Hope Starts Here, Detroit's first comprehensive framework to support young children and their families.
“Joining the MCAN Board of Directors is both an honor and a source of immense pride for me,” said Gaston. “In the foundation's work to help increase economic opportunities for all Michiganders, I see firsthand how transformative educational access can be. MCAN’s work aligns deeply with my own commitment to fostering equity and empowerment, and I look forward to supporting its efforts to build a Michigan where every student has a clear pathway to postsecondary success and, ultimately, to fulfilling their potential.”
Prior to joining Memorial Healthcare, Frederick served over 20 years in both elected office and appointed legislative staff roles, including three terms as state representative for the 85th House District. Following his successful state representative race in 2016, he was re-elected in both 2018 and 2020, and he served as Majority Floor Leader in his final term. During the 2017-2018 term, Frederick led the House policy committee focused on workforce and talent development, and in 2021-2022 he served on the appropriations subcommittee setting the budget for higher education and community colleges.
“I’m delighted to join the MCAN Board of Directors,” said Frederick. “I started partnering with MCAN many years ago when serving as a mayor of Owosso, and this collaboration continued during my time as a state legislator. I have long appreciated MCAN’s commitment to advancing postsecondary attainment, particularly as it relates to first-generation and nontraditional students. In my role today in healthcare advocacy, I’ve seen firsthand how talent needs are affecting this critical economic sector. I am excited to assist the MCAN team however I can in its important mission.”
MCAN also wishes a bittersweet farewell to founding board member and former board chairperson Amy Smitter, who leaves the Board of Directors after serving 14 years. Smitter is program director for philanthropic engagement with ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning. She has almost 30 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, having worked at Safe & Just Michigan, Camp Quality Michigan, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan, and Campus Compact before joining ACT. During her time on the board, MCAN has grown from a fledgling one-person operation to a respected statewide organization with nearly 30 full-time staff members, three AmeriCorps programs with over 75 members serving across the state, and hundreds of engaged partners ranging from local school districts to national organizations.
“This was my second time working for Amy, and I continue to learn from her and benefit from her vision and experience,” said MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss. “Throughout her time on the board, Amy has been a consistent voice for educational equity and a champion for Michigan’s students. Over the past 14 years, she has offered her guidance to innumerable MCAN projects and initiatives, and we are a stronger organization thanks to her contributions. We’re so thankful for her time on the board, and we know she will continue to be a strong ally in the pursuit of equitable college access and attainment for our students.”
Smitter was awarded the Brandy Johnson Board of Directors Award at MCAN’s 2024 College Access Impact Awards, which were held the evening of Nov. 6 at MCAN’s 13th annual conference. The award, given by MCAN’s Board of Directors, honors an individual or organization that has been particularly supportive of MCAN's mission and the Sixty by 30 goal. Formerly known as the Board of Directors Award, it was renamed in 2019 to honor MCAN’s founder and former executive director.
“I’m so deeply honored to receive an award named after Brandy Johnson, somebody I deeply admire,” said Smitter. “During my time at MCAN, I had the privilege of meeting and working with some extremely passionate, interesting, intelligent individuals, and I’m better for having known them. I look forward to the continued success of the network.”
To learn more about MCAN’s Board of Directors please visit micollegeaccess.org/board.
Brock Tessman, Ben Frederick and Khalilah Burt Gaston join board, Amy Smitter departs