LANSING, Mich. — Michigan College Access Network is proud to announce the fifth and largest cohort of the School Counselor Fellows program. Offered in collaboration with the San Diego State University Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment, this two-year program provides a select group of Michigan school counseling professionals with ongoing mentorship and training rooted in leadership and advocacy focused on postsecondary practices.
Fellows receive training in equity-driven leadership, use research to align the college-going culture in their communities, and meet with legislators during MCAN’s College Access Advocacy Day. They also network with school counselors from across the state, local organizations, and members of the National School Counselor Fellows cohort. At the end of the two-year program, counselors will have created an advocacy project that can be directly applied to their school community as it relates to college access. Additionally, fellows attend state conferences for further professional development on college access, leadership, and advocacy.
Thirteen school counselors have been chosen to be part of the fifth cohort of School Counselor Fellows:
- Rebecca Rice, Clawson High School (Clawson)
- Crystal Myers, Beaver Island Community School (Beaver Island)
- William Beck, Heritage High School (Saginaw)
- Joi Thompson, Okemos High School (Okemos)
- Marie Quaker, Hope of Detroit Academy (Detroit)
- Maria Gonzalez, Berrien Springs High School (Berrien Springs)
- Shahna Currie, Belleville High School (Belleville)
- Jennifer Riha, Jenison High School (Jenison)
- Dennis Barlow, Saginaw Intermediate School District (Saginaw)
- Larissa Hunt, Van Buren Tech (Lawrence)
- Susy Talentino, Sault Area High School (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Sarah Collins, Delton Kellogg Middle School (Delton)
- Trisha Mertens, Tecumseh High School (Tecumseh)
“School counselors play a pivotal role in the development of students’ postsecondary pathways and goals,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director. “By uplifting counselors through this student-centric fellowship, we aim to equip them with the tools, resources, and leadership to guide students to and through college.”
Learn more about the School Counselor Fellows Program here.
The program offers advanced training in leadership and advocacy for Michigan school counselors.