LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Leadership Fellows program, a groundbreaking collaboration between Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) and Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), is set to empower its third diverse, state-wide cohort of rising educational leaders. This 18-month, project-based fellowship was designed to build a robust pipeline of equity-minded, transformative leaders who will champion postsecondary educational access and success for all Michigan students.
This focus on leadership development and principal capacity is critical to building culture and leading learning. MASSP and MCAN are thrilled to welcome the new cohort of AP Fellows, whose dedication and commitment to educational excellence will shape the future of Michigan’s schools and communities. Fellows in this year’s cohort are:
- Keytria Burt-Walker, Muskegon Maritime Academy
- Anthony DeGrazia, International Academy Okma Campus, Bloomfield Hills Schools
- Douglas Livingston, Tawas Middle School and Tawas High School, Tawas Area Schools
- Ray Miller, Plymouth High School, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
- Nathaniel Moody, Valleywood Middle School, Kentwood Public Schools
- Jessica Stage, Bloomfield Hills Schools
The Michigan Leadership Fellows program is guided by three goals:
- Equity-driven leadership: The fellowship focuses on an instructional leadership vision for principals focused on improvement of instructional practice, learning-focused culture, allocation of resources and systems management.
- Principal pipeline development: The program is committed to preparing future principals who are well-equipped to navigate the multifaceted challenges of school leadership. Through action research, mentoring, and leadership coaching, fellows will hone their skills and vision. Each Fellow has committed to applying for a secondary school principalship within one to three years after completing the program.
- Postsecondary opportunities: The fellowship aligns with MCAN’s mission to increase the percentage of Michigan residents with degrees or postsecondary certificates to 60% by 2030. Fellows will explore innovative ways to advance postsecondary pathways for all students.
“The Michigan Leadership Fellows program equips leaders to transform systems, inspire their communities and create meaningful access to postsecondary opportunities across our state,” said Tom Lietz, MASSP Associate Director of Training and Development. “Strong leadership is the most powerful lever we have to improve learning and expand postsecondary access. This work challenges leaders to think differently, act intentionally, and design schools where opportunity is not an exception, but an expectation for every Michigan student.”
The fellowship is broken down into four main components:
- Mentoring: Fellows will learn from seasoned administrators, gaining insights into effective leadership practices.
- Coaching: Expert coaches will guide fellows through reflective processes, enhancing their leadership capacity.
- Professional Learning Community: Fellows will convene monthly around a set curriculum, hot-topics and research projects to hone their leadership based on data and practice.
- Action Research: Fellows will contribute valuable insights to educational improvement through meaningful research projects.
About MASSP
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals serves as Michigan’s premier education association, supporting more than 1,800 educators across the state. Its commitment to excellence in educational leadership drives its mission. Learn more at massp.com.
Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, Michigan College Access Network collaborate to cultivate transformative leaders.