MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — On Thursday Nov. 7, Michigan College Access Network announced the winners of its first-ever Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition. MCAN encouraged applicants to share their most innovative idea or best practice related to pathways and transitions, college-going culture, credential completion, college affordability and/or adult student attainment for a chance to win up to $10,000.
“MCAN was excited to see the traction behind the Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition. This was a great medium to showcase the dedication and creativity of our partners across the state in improving college attainment and completion,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “Each finalist has put great effort over many months into developing these innovative pitches, which will support college attainment and student success across the state.”
“I’m grateful that MCAN has reached out to the community for solutions to help reach Sixty by 30 and to further this mission by working directly with the people who will see the vision through,” said Abike Martins, who received first place for her online application RISE: The Reconnect Peer Network.
In the spring, MCAN launched the Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition and received more than 50 interest forms from across the state. More than 30 video applications were completed, and the four finalists presented their pitches to attendees at MCAN’s 13th Annual Conference: Celebrating Wins and Learning from Losses. Cash prizes were awarded to all four presenters based on the voting of the audience.
First Place ($10,000): Abike Martins, executive director of Right Road, pitched RISE: The Reconnect Peer Network, an app-enhanced support network intended to uplift Michigan Reconnect students’ belonging needs as they make the important transition to college. The network is composed of small cohorts that function independently with the guidance of a coach.
Second Place: Karen Reilly, dean of the School of Business and Advanced Tech at Southwestern Michigan College, pitched The First Five schedule. This initiative focuses on strategic course enrollment through a block schedule structure for a full-time student's first college term or part-time student’s first year. The idea draws on the importance of students passing the first five courses in college on their first attempt and the benefits of students engaging early in a course in their major.
Third Place: John Johnson, director of Postsecondary and Alumni Affairs at University Prep Schools, pitched the College Summer Enrichment Program, a seven-day overnight program aiming to specifically engage and motivate students with GPAs of 2.5 or less. The program covers a range of concepts, from college and self-exploration to building academic readiness.
Fourth Place: Barbara Peacock, a teacher at Big Rapids High School, pitched The Summer Job Shadowing Program. The program is designed to provide holistic support for high school juniors and seniors facing economic, social and/or academic barriers to career exploration and college enrollment.
The pitch competition session was sponsored by Michigan Virtual, an online learning platform dedicated to advancing K-12 education through digital learning, research, innovation, policy and partnerships. Michigan Virtual worked collaboratively with MCAN to support and coach each finalist ahead of the conference and competition. MCAN thanks Michigan Virtual for its sponsorship and expertise.
“It was such an honor to be a part of the Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition with MCAN. The four finalists were outstanding; from what we saw a few weeks ago when we started coaching to today, they’ve made such amazing strides and it’s no surprise they had some great pitches,” said Scott Watkins, Senior Director of Business Strategy at Michigan Virtual. “They’re all incredible educators, deeply talented and deeply dedicated. What’s most exciting is what’s to come – this isn’t the end for their ideas, they’re going to make a great impact.”
MCAN's 13th annual conference closed with its inaugural Take Flight: Sixty by 30 Pitch Competition, in which conference attendees voted on their favorite pitch. MCAN awarded over $17k to the four finalists to support their innovation in advancing college access and completion.