LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is collaborating with the Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC) and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) to invest nearly $3,500 in scholarships for 217 public school counselors across Michigan. Through the partnership’s scholarship funding, MACAC membership fees for the 2021-22 school year were waived.
MACAC brings together secondary school counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, independent counselors and organizations engaged in guiding students through the secondary-to-higher-education transition process. Members are committed to helping students realize their full education potential, with particular emphasis on the transition from secondary school to higher education or postsecondary opportunities, and addressing issues of access and equity for all students.
“This scholarship initiative broadens MACAC membership and includes first-time members and schools from across the state, including many schools with only one school counselor,” said Amanda Blanchette, MACAC president. “As a first-generation college student, I know firsthand how critical it is to receive support from counselors. Through partnerships like these, we can continue to expand how we provide membership opportunities for schools and community-based organizations that work in the college access space.”
MACAC membership is connected to an institution and includes everyone on staff at no additional cost. Members can take advantage of exclusive networking opportunities and professional development resources, including State Continuing Education Clock Hours (SCECH) credits, as well as a job board, mentorship program, annual conference, national college fairs and an online membership directory.
“By supporting school counselors’ professional growth and networking, we are investing in their ongoing efforts to guide students to postsecondary education opportunities and reach our state’s Sixty by 30 goal,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “When we collaborate with organizations like MACAC and NACAC to increase access to professional development, we are working to ensure that every student in Michigan — especially low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color — has access to a highly-trained school counselor to receive individualized guidance and support to prepare for and attend college.”
To learn more about MACAC and become a member, visit macac.org.
ABOUT MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING
MACAC was founded in 1970 and is an affiliate of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). It is an organization averaging 1,100 professionals from across the state and region serving students as they make choices about pursuing post-secondary education. MACAC effectively brings together secondary school counselors, college admission and financial aid officers, enrollment managers, independent counselors, and organizations engaged in guiding students through the secondary-to-higher-education transition process.
Collaboration supports public school membership initiative for over 200 school counselors in Michigan