The American College Application Campaign (ACAC) and Michigan College Access Network have selected Arthur Hill High School as the School of Excellence Award winner for Michigan. ACAC, which is part of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, selected Arthur Hill based on timely submission of data, demonstrated commitment to student success and serving as an exemplary model for their state’s application campaign.
“This is awesome news and a reminder for us to stay focused as we continue the hard work of ensuring that all of our students are successful,” said Martha Fordam, principal of Arthur Hill. “We are grateful for the recognition!”
Felesia Harrel is Arthur Hill’s coordinator, ensuring students apply to a broad range of colleges and complete their FAFSA along with connecting them to support from the Saginaw Promise.
“Thank you for the kind words and for this distinguished honor,” Harrel said. “I look forward to our continued partnership with MCAN.”
"You’ve led the way in your community, your state and for the nation,” said Melissa Caperton, ACAC Director.
“While we are thrilled to take this moment to recognize your impactful work, we know you are already preparing for a new college application season that will kick off with #WhyApply Day on Friday, Sept. 18. We will once again look to you to help us have another successful year.”
Michigan College Access Network’s “Michigan College Month” in October is a part of the American College Application Campaign. Each year, 400 high schools participate in this initiative to support students’ submission of applications to college.
“We are so grateful for our high school partners, like Arthur Hill High School, who are creating opportunities during the school day to support students in completing college applications, the FAFSA and scholarship applications,” said Jamie Jacobs, deputy director at MCAN. “These opportunities remove barriers for students in navigating the college-going process.”
The winning schools played key roles in helping ACAC nationally reach the following achievements, as reported by state campaigns on the 2019 annual survey:
- Nearly 7,300 high schools hosted a College Application Campaign event.
- More than 763,400 seniors submitted at least one college application during events. This was an increase of nearly 30% more students than in 2018.
- More than 1.2 million college applications were submitted during 2019 College Application Campaign events.
Additionally, at least 600 elementary schools, 540 middle schools and 160 community-based organizations also hosted college application events to learn about the college-going process.
Arthur Hill High School received a plaque delivered via mail since school-based events were canceled this spring.
Nationally, over 3.36 million students have been served by ACAC and 5.28 million applications have been submitted since the campaign began in 2005.
About the American College Application Campaign
The American College Application Campaign® (ACAC) is a national initiative designed to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income families who pursue a postsecondary degree. The purpose is to assist high school seniors as they navigate the college application and admissions process and ensure each participating student submits at least one admissions application. The campaign is conducted state by state, and each state determines which week or month is officially designated as the College Application Campaign. Events across the country often take place between September and December.
Many states are also connecting college application completion events with FAFSA completion and College Signing Day celebrations. After submitting the admissions application, some events encourage students to register for their FSA ID and are provided with the date of their state’s FAFSA completion event to ensure they complete the admissions process and apply for financial aid.
About ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning
ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning focuses on closing gaps in equity, opportunity and achievement for underserved populations and working learners. Through purposeful investments, employee engagement and thoughtful advocacy efforts, the center supports innovative partnerships, actionable research, initiatives, campaigns and programs to further ACT’s mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success.
The American College Application Campaign and the Michigan College Access Network selected Arthur Hill High School as the 2019 School of Excellence Award winner for Michigan serving as an exemplary model for their state’s application campaign.