College Access Impact Awards

At Michigan College Access Network, we honor those who have gone above and beyond for postsecondary attainment through our College Access Impact Awards. These awards shine a light on the individuals, organizations, and collaborations that have exceeded expectations to make a positive impact on increasing college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan. This year, several of the annual College Access Impact Awards categories have been renamed and updated to better reflect the purpose of their recognition and to provide new opportunities to honor partners in college access and success.

Award recognition traditionally occurs during MCAN's annual conference. The 10th annual celebration of outstanding postsecondary education advocates from across the state took place the evening of Nov. 6. 

THE BRANDY JOHNSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD

Supporting MCAN's Mission

2024 Honoree: Amy Smitter, ACT Center for Equity in Learning

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.

THE ENDURANCE AWARD

Advancing Innovative Ways to Expand College Access

2024 Honoree: Delta College

Advancing college access within a community requires a multi-faceted approach and dedication to removing barriers and expanding students' access to educational opportunities. The recipient of this award is an individual institution leader or a college/university that has been exemplary in advancing innovative ways to expand access, build critical relationships in the region, and support student persistence and completion.

THE PASSPORT AWARD

Formerly The Chief Mate Award

Providing Comprehensive Programming

2024 Honoree: Carlotta R. Prince, Dearborn Heights School District (Annapolis High School)

School counseling programs play a vital role in ensuring students are provided the support they need to enroll in and complete college – a key component to Michigan meeting the Sixty by 30 Goal. Michigan College Access Network works to ensure college and career readiness is a priority within school counseling programs. The recipient of this award is an individual school counselor or school counseling program that has made significant strides in advancing the college readiness and enrollment supports and services provided to students, which assists in moving the needle on critical postsecondary metrics.

THE CHUCK WILBUR PROMISE KEEPER AWARD

Expanding Postsecondary Opportunity

2024 Honorees: Sen. Sarah Anthony, 21st District (D-Lansing) and Sen. Rosemary Bayer, 13th District (D-West Bloomfield) 

The Michigan Promise Zones Association bestows the Promise Keeper Award on individuals or organizations that have outstanding leadership and achievement in the work of supporting free college tuition, technical training and high-quality certifications. In 2023, the Promise Keeper Award was renamed to the Chuck Wilbur Promise Keeper Award in recognition of a man who has worked extensively on the development and growth of the Michigan Promise Zones, provided technical assistance as the zones launched and assisted with the formation of the Michigan Promise Zones Association in 2016.

The Promise Zones that comprise the Michigan Promise Zones Association were created through bipartisan legislation, first enacted in 2009. Each has established a broadly accessible scholarship program, to give students of all ages in their communities confidence that they will be able to afford education after high school.

THE COMPASS AWARD

Advocating for Attainment

2024 Honoree: Sen. Darrin Camilleri, 4th District (D-Trenton)

Ensuring public policy supports Michigan’s momentum toward achieving the Sixty by 30 Goal is a critical strategy of Michigan College Access Network. Working with mission-aligned allies, MCAN advises policymakers at all levels on crafting dynamic legislation that results in reduced barriers and increased attainment across the state and country. Recipients of this award have launched and/or championed bold proposals that focus on increasing Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate.

THE FLAGSHIP AWARD

Developing Sustainable Networks

2024 Honoree: Otsego Career Access Network

The creation and support of Local College Access Networks across the state is the primary strategy of Michigan College Access Network. Mobilizing high-level leaders, network staff and community resources creates lasting infrastructure locally in support of the Sixty by 30 Goal. The recipient of this award is an individual or organization that has provided leadership in the creation of effective alliances focused on postsecondary attainment.

THE CONNECTIVITY AWARD

Formerly The Harbor Award

Increasing Access Through Direct Service

2024 Honoree: Youth Solutions

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 provide direct services to support students, college access infrastructure, and programming are integral to growing Michigan’s culture of college access and attainment. The recipient of this award is an organization that has significantly contributed to the college access field through direct service in their community/region.

Past Winners of The Connectivity Award

2023 Honoree: Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars

THE PATHWAY AWARD

Innovative Connections in Support of Sixty by 30

2024 Honoree: Michigan Works! Association

This award was introduced in 2024 to recognize a workforce agency or employer for an innovative project, strategy, or initiative that connects K-12, higher education and workforce partners in support of the Sixty by 30 goal.

THE CATALYST AWARD

Formerly The Marina Award

Changing School Systems and Culture

2024 Honoree: Howell Public Schools

Boosting the college access expectation in schools on the ground level helps drive the state toward the Sixty by 30 goal. Engaging schools to urge students, parents, staff and administration to take direct action creates a sense of urgency around the postsecondary planning process. While developing programs helps improve outcomes, the real impact comes from systems and culture change. The recipient of this award is a school that has advanced the college-going culture and/or tackled systems-level change within the school, district, and community.

THE OMBUDSMAN AWARD

Supporting Students, Counselors, and Schools

2024 Honorees: Spencer Hickey, AdviseMI, Three Rivers High School; Andrew Jordan, Bay College, College Completion Corps; Gina Dossantos, Michigan College Advising Corps, Western International High School; and Holly Iseler, Michigan State University College Advising Corps; Yale High School  

Michigan College Access Network values the leadership and service of college advisers and coaches serving across the state, and this award honors a member from each Michigan corps—AdviseMI, Michigan State University College Advising Corps, the Michigan College Advising Corps, and College Completion Corps—to recognize their on-the-ground efforts to reach Sixty by 30. The recipients of this award have a passion for college access and success, have persevered over challenges while engaged in their year(s) of service, and have proudly represented AmeriCorps to students, families, and the public.

Retired Awards