How MCAN is Adapting in Response to COVID-19

We Are Open and Available to Serve You

MCAN prioritizes the well-being of our staff and network. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and state of emergency caused by the novel coronavirus, staff has been given the opportunity to work virtually. However, we are continuing normal operations as much as possible. MCAN staff is still accessible during regular business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) via phone, email, and other virtual means. Our team might not always be working from the office, but we are ready to serve you! Please continue to lean on us.

Events and Meetings

As you likely have heard, MCAN's 10th annual conference was postponed until Nov. 23-24. We will keep the network updated regarding upcoming events and meetings. We are evaluating the situation daily and will make decisions as needed. Future events and meetings may look and feel different than we are accustomed to. MCAN respects individuals' personal and professional decisions about event and meeting participation.

Advisers

AdviseMI college advisers are doing their best to provide support to students and families, but will not be serving in school buildings at this time. If you have questions about the program's plan, please contact AdviseMI Program Director Mel Steward via email: Melissa(a)micollegeaccess.org.

Ready to Help You Move Onward!

MCAN is 100% committed to college access and attainment of Sixty by 30. There is still important work to do. In that spirit, we are tackling each day with the same energy in order to maintain momentum. As we move forward in this fluid, ever-changing environment, know that MCAN is ready to support the entire network in navigating how to accomplish our tasks under these unique circumstances.

I’m grateful to the MCAN team members for their unwavering commitment to our mission and goals. We are in this together!

Wishing you good health,

Ryan Fewins-Bliss

Executive Director

Author

Ryan Fewins-Bliss

Short Description

We Are Open and Available to Serve You

Mar 17, 2020

Initiatives

Community Ambassadors

Local College Access Networks

Roadmap to Opportunity

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mcan-adapting-covid-19

Ryan

Fewins-Bliss

Ryan Fewins-Bliss

Executive Director

He/Him/His

517-816-7767

ryan@micollegeaccess.org

As executive director, Ryan ensures MCAN is able to meet its mission by having the strategies, resources, and support necessary to reach Sixty by 30. This includes leading MCAN's policy work, fund development, partnerships, and efforts to achieve the organization's strategic plan.

Ryan has worked in education and the nonprofit field for nearly 20 years, having served in K-12, higher education, and community organizations. He served as assistant director of the Student Life Center at Saginaw Valley State University immediately after graduate school. In that role, he led the university's leadership and volunteer programming as well as community partnerships. After SVSU, Ryan took his civic engagement skills to Michigan Campus Compact where he served as assistant director of training and technical assistance. There, he supported Michigan colleges and universities in their community engagement. Ryan then spent the next four years consulting and supporting organizations around the state including the Jackson College Access Center, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Education Northwest/AmeriCorps VISTA, and the Shiawassee Child Advocacy Center, among others. In that capacity, he consulted with MCAN from its inception in 2010. Over time, he's served MCAN as a consultant, part-time staff member, assistant director, deputy director, and now executive director, a role he assumed in November 2019 when succeeding the founder.

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Central Michigan University in integrative public relations and attended CMU for graduate school as well, earning a Master of Arts in educational administration and community leadership. College was the clear next step after high school for Ryan, as he was privileged to have support from his family and school. It wasn't until he got to CMU that he realized the pathway to college wasn't as easy for all students. He worked in the campus volunteer center through graduate school and learned about critical issues facing communities — especially the lack of equity in education. This sparked his commitment to public service and education access.

Ryan is active in his community and around the state, having previously served as president of CMU's Alumni Association, president of Michigan's board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates, and a founding board trustee of the Bath Township Public Library. Ryan proudly serves as a local elected official on the Bath Township Board of Trustees and as a longtime board member of Planned Parenthood of Michigan. He lives in Bath Township with his husband and three children.

Central Michigan University

Bachelor of Applied Arts, Integrative Public Relations

Central Michigan University

Master of Arts, Educational Administration and Community Leadership

No

Ryan Fewins-Bliss