LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) was proud to see Governor Whitmer’s appointment of Maddy Day to the Michigan Education Trust (MET). Day has been an MCAN board member since 2018 and is currently serving as chairperson. She also runs her own consulting firm and serves as a site consultant for the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative. Day is an advocate for educational equity, with years of experience working to improve outcomes for children in the foster care system.
Created in 1986, MET is a prepaid tuition plan which allows for individuals to pre-purchase college tuition for any Michigan public college or university based on today's rates, which is then paid out at the future cost when the beneficiary is in college. The program also includes the MET Charitable Tuition Program, which allows organizations to purchase discounted tuition for deserving community members, and the Fostering Futures Scholarship Trust Fund, which provides scholarships to former foster youth enrolled at Michigan colleges and universities.
“I believe that higher education should be a right for all of Michigan's students and not a privilege for those who can afford it,” said Day. “The MET Fostering Futures Scholarship makes access and success in higher education attainable by removing financial barriers that often keep our students with experience in foster care from achieving education success. Serving on the MET board allows me to champion equity in action and support a future where all of Michigan’s students are supported to reach their educational goals.”
Earlier this year, MCAN board member Melissa Isaac was appointed to Gov. Whitmer’s Student Recovery Advisory Council, which recently released the MI Blueprint for Comprehensive Student Recovery to help address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Michigan’s students. The document provides evidence-based recommendations to address challenges across wellness, academics, school culture and climate, family and community engagement and postsecondary education.
“Our board members are experts in their field and are respected by their peers,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “We are so grateful for their leadership at MCAN, and we know that they contribute valuable knowledge and experience to these boards. Their advocacy for students — especially low-income students, students of color and first-generation college-going students — is helping to build a better future for all Michiganders.”
MCAN board chairperson will also serve on tuition program’s board of directors