On the evening of March 12, 2018, Michigan College Access Network will honor organizations and individuals whose efforts have gone above and beyond to improve postsecondary attainment. The eight award categories recognize individuals and organizations that have had a tremendous impact on increasing college readiness, participation, and completion in Michigan, particularly among low-income and first-generation students and students of color. MCAN uses these awards as a way of bringing positive attention to the great work happening around the state each year.
Menu:
When registering for the awards dinner, you will have the choice of chicken, fish(walleye), or butternut squash ravioli.
2018 Award Categories:
THE CHIEF MATE AWARD: Providing Comprehensive Programming
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 our Big Goal - 60 percent by 2025. 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 to students which assists in moving the needle on critical postsecondary metrics.
THE BEACON AWARD: Strengthening Success through Partnerships
Comprehensively aligning the organizational leaders in the college access and success field allows for the design and implementation of a unified vision for progress toward the Big Goal – 60 percent by 2025. The Michigan College Access Network convenes and engages cross-sector partners to galvanize movement toward collaboration. The recipient of this award is an individual or organization that has continually endeavored to unite programs, activities and/or operations in support of postsecondary attainment.
THE CARDINAL AWARD: Rallying Communities to Impact
Boosting the college access activity in communities on the ground level helps drive the state toward the Big Goal – 60 percent by 2025. Promoting campaigns that urge students, parents, school staff and citizens to take direct action helps create a sense of urgency around the postsecondary planning process. The recipient of this award is an individual or organization that has advanced the college-going culture through significant investment in statewide campaigns.
THE COMPASS AWARD: Advocating for Attainment
Ensuring public policy supports Michigan’s momentum toward achieving the Big Goal – 60 percent by 2025 – is a critical strategy of the 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
The creation and support of Local College Access Networks across the state is the primary strategy of the Michigan College Access Network. Mobilizing high level leaders, network staff and community resources creates lasting infrastructure locally in support of the Big Goal – 60 percent by 2025. 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 OMBUDSMAN AWARD: Supporting Students, Counselors and Schools
Placing well-trained college advisers in high schools across the state creates strong partnerships with counselors and principals to embed a college-going culture in their building. Working with MCAN's partners in this effort - the Michigan College Advising Corps and the Michigan State University College Advising Corps and through our own advising program, AdviseMI, three college advisors are selected for this award to honor their on-the-ground efforts in high schools to reach the Big Goal - 60 percent by 2025. The recipients of this award have a passion for college access, have persevered over challenges while engaged in their year of service, and have proudly represented AmeriCorps to students, families and the public.
THE STEWARD AWARD: Creating College Access Talent
Michigan College Access Network values the professional development of individuals working in the college access field – including high school counselors and college advisors. By supporting a well-trained sector, MCAN aims to increase the number of students enrolling in, persisting through and completing postsecondary education in order to hit the Big Goal – 60 percent by 2025. The recipient of this award is an individual or organization that has dramatically contributed to increasing the skills, talent andknowledge of college access professionals in Michigan.
Click here to see past award recipients.
