Lansing, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network and the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals are proud to announce the second cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows. This groundbreaking collaboration between MCAN and MASSP is designed to empower a diverse, statewide cohort of rising secondary school leaders. The 18-month, project-based fellowship aims to create a robust pipeline of equity-minded, transformative principals who will champion postsecondary education access and success for all Michigan students.
The Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellowship aims to equip educational leaders with the tools needed to face the multifaceted challenges of modern principalship. The accepted fellows currently hold leadership positions in their schools, and have committed to seeking secondary school principal roles within three years of completing their fellowship.
The 2025 cohort of Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellows is:
- Tara Becker-Utess, Mason High School
- Elizabeth (Betsy) Christensen, Bay City Western High School
- Matthew Hawkins, Vicksburg High School
- Nail Jadallah, Fordson High School (Dearborn)
- Amber Kravitsky, Sandusky Jr./Sr. High School
- Darci Merillat, Bay City Central High School
- Maymon Mustafa, Fordson High School (Dearborn)
- Douglas Radcliffe, Woodworth Middle School (Dearborn)
- Fellicia Searles-Powell, Ferndale High School
- Jordan Stoyek, Sashabaw Middle School (Clarkston)
- Anthony Tocco, Henry Ford II High School (Sterling Heights)
- Bridget Warnke, Manistee Middle High School
“Entering our second year, we are proud to continue addressing the challenges to the principal pipeline in Michigan secondary schools. This is an opportunity for educational leaders from around our state to not only develop their skill and acumen, but also to join a fellowship of leaders to support one another on that journey,” said Tom Lietz, MASSP associate director for training and development. “The fellowship will challenge these aspiring principals to grow their leadership skills with a focus on equity and postsecondary opportunity.”
Fellows will engage in critical conversations, research and action planning to ensure that every student, regardless of background, has access to high-quality education and postsecondary opportunities. They will be equipped with equity-focused, data-driven strategies that dismantle barriers and promote success for all students. By establishing best practices and networking with other education leaders across the state, these fellows have the potential to positively affect the paths of students far beyond their own buildings.
“This fellowship invests in rising leaders who can build equitable postsecondary practices for the next generations of students,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “By developing secondary school leaders with the ability to enact meaningful, systemic changes, we can help ensure that all students — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color — have access to postsecondary education that helps them reach their personal and professional aspirations.”
For more information on the Michigan Leadership for Equity and Transformation Fellowship, contact:
Jeneen Hatoum, MCAN Director of High School Innovation
Email: jeneen@micollegeaccess.org
Phone: 703-577-8595
Tom Lietz, MASSP Associate Director for Training and Development
Email: tom@massp.com
Phone: 586-822-4822
Partnership between Michigan College Access Network and Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals offers professional development opportunity for aspiring K-12 principals