To celebrate MCAN's fifth anniversary in 2015, the board of directors created an award that they may present when the occasion arises but is not necessarily given each year. Formerly known as the Board of Directors Award, it was renamed in 2019 to the Brandy Johnson Board of Directors Award. The board of directors made the name change in honor of MCAN founder and former executive director Brandy Johnson, who left MCAN in March 2019 to work as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policy advisor for postsecondary educational attainment and workforce development. The award is given to an individual or organization that has been particularly supportive of MCAN's mission and the Sixty by 30 goal.

Advancing college access within a community requires a comprehensive approach and a steadfast commitment to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for students. The recipient of this award is an individual leader, institution, or college/university that has demonstrated exemplary innovation in increasing access, fostering meaningful regional partnerships, and supporting student persistence and completion.

School counseling programs are essential in providing students with the guidance and support they need to enroll in and complete college — a critical element in achieving Michigan's Sixty by 30 Goal. Michigan College Access Network works to ensure that college and career readiness remains a central focus of school counseling programs. This award recognizes an individual school counselor or school counseling program that has made significant contributions to advancing college readiness and enrollment supports, helping students succeed, and driving meaningful progress on key postsecondary outcomes.

The Michigan Promise Zones Association presents the Promise Keeper Award to individuals or organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership and achievement in advancing access to free college tuition, technical training, and high-quality certifications. In 2023, the award was renamed to the Chuck Wilbur Promise Keeper Award in honor of Chuck Wilbur, whose extensive work supported the development and growth of the Michigan Promise Zones, provided technical assistance during the launch, and helped establish the Michigan Promise Zones Association in 2016.

The Promise Zones, created through bipartisan legislation first enacted in 2009, each operate broadly accessible scholarship programs that ensure students of all ages in their communities can pursue postsecondary education with confidence and financial support. 

The establishment and support of Local College Access Networks across Michigan is a cornerstone strategy of Michigan College Access Network. By mobilizing community resources, network staff, and high-level leaders, MCAN helps build lasting local infrastructure to advance the Sixty by 30 Goal. This award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in creating effective partnerships and alliances dedicated to increasing postsecondary attainment.

Reaching the goal of Sixty by 30 requires collaborative, hands-on effort from individuals and organizations at the local, state, and national levels. Organizations that deliver direct services, strengthen college access infrastructure, and provide impactful programming play a vital role in fostering Michigan’s culture of postsecondary access and attainment. This award recognizes an organization that has made a significant contribution to the college access field through its direct service to students and communities.

Introduced in 2024, this award recognizes a workforce agency or employer that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in bridging education and workforce development. The award honors a project, strategy, or initiative that effectively connects K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and workforce partners to create meaningful pathways for students and workers alike. Recipients of this award exemplify forward-thinking approaches that remove barriers, foster collaboration across sectors, and contribute directly to Michigan's progress toward the Sixty by 30 Goal, ensuring that more individuals are prepared for meaningful careers and lifelong success. 

Strengthening the expectation of college access within schools is a critical driver of Michigan's progress toward the Sixty by 30 Goal. By engaging students, parents, staff, and administrators to take meaningful action, schools create a sense of urgency around the postsecondary planning process. While program development supports positive outcomes, lasting impact comes from systems and culture. This award recognizes a school that has advanced a college-going culture and/or achieved significant systems-level change within its school, district, or community.

Michigan College Access Network values the leadership and dedication of college advisers and coaches across the state. This award honors one member from each Michigan corps — AdviseMI, Michigan State University College Advising Corps, the Michigan College Advising Corps, and College Completion Corps — recognizing their on-the-ground contributions to advancing Michigan's Sixty by 30 Goal. Recipients of this award demonstrate a deep commitment to college access and success, persevere through challenges during their service, and proudly represent AmeriCorps to students, families, and the broader community.