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. 

The 11th annual celebration of outstanding postsecondary education advocates from across the state was held during MCAN's 14th annual conference on the evening of Nov. 4, 2025. View the 2025 Impact Awards press release →
 

THE BRANDY JOHNSON BOARD OF DIRECTORS AWARD

Supporting MCAN's Mission

2025 Honoree: The Kalamazoo Promise

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 award pays tribute to MCAN founder and former executive director Brandy Johnson, whose leadership laid the foundation for the organization's impact and continues through her work advancing postsecondary attainment in Michigan. 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

2025 Honoree: Bay College

Advancing college access within a community requires a comprehensive approach and a steadfast commitment to removing barriers and expanding opportunities for students. The recipient of this award is an individual leader, institution, or college/university that has demonstrated exemplary innovation in increasing access, fostering meaningful regional partnerships, and supporting student persistence and completion.

THE PASSPORT AWARD

Providing Comprehensive Programming

2025 Honoree: Julie Pecore, Lapeer High School

School counseling programs are essential in providing students with the guidance and support they need to enroll in and complete college — a critical element in achieving Michigan's Sixty by 30 Goal. Michigan College Access Network works to ensure that college and career readiness remains a central focus of school counseling programs. This award recognizes an individual school counselor or school counseling program that has made significant contributions to advancing college readiness and enrollment supports, helping students succeed, and driving meaningful progress on key postsecondary outcomes.

THE CHUCK WILBUR PROMISE KEEPER AWARD

Expanding Postsecondary Opportunity

2025 Honorees: Kellie Dean, Dean Transportation; and Saginaw Valley State University

The Michigan Promise Zones Association presents the Promise Keeper Award to individuals or organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership and achievement in advancing access to free college tuition, technical training, and high-quality certifications. In 2023, the award was renamed to the Chuck Wilbur Promise Keeper Award in honor of Chuck Wilbur, whose extensive work supported the development and growth of the Michigan Promise Zones, provided technical assistance during the launch, and helped establish the Michigan Promise Zones Association in 2016.

The Promise Zones, created through bipartisan legislation first enacted in 2009, each operate broadly accessible scholarship programs that ensure students of all ages in their communities can pursue postsecondary education with confidence and financial support. 

THE FLAGSHIP AWARD

Developing Sustainable Networks

2025 Honoree: Detroit College Access Network

The establishment and support of Local College Access Networks across Michigan is a cornerstone strategy of Michigan College Access Network. By mobilizing community resources, network staff, and high-level leaders, MCAN helps build lasting local infrastructure to advance the Sixty by 30 Goal. This award recognizes an individual or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership in creating effective partnerships and alliances dedicated to increasing postsecondary attainment.

THE CONNECTIVITY AWARD

Increasing Access Through Direct Service

2025 Honoree: Muskegon Opportunity

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 deliver direct services, strengthen college access infrastructure, and provide impactful programming play a vital role in fostering Michigan’s culture of postsecondary access and attainment. This award recognizes an organization that has made a significant contribution to the college access field through its direct service to students and communities.

THE PATHWAY AWARD

Innovative Connections in Support of Sixty by 30

2025 Honoree: Career and Technical Education programs

Introduced in 2024, this award recognizes a workforce agency or employer that has demonstrated outstanding leadership and innovation in bridging education and workforce development. The award honors a project, strategy, or initiative that effectively connects K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and workforce partners to create meaningful pathways for students and workers alike. Recipients of this award exemplify forward-thinking approaches that remove barriers, foster collaboration across sectors, and contribute directly to Michigan's progress toward the Sixty by 30 Goal, ensuring that more individuals are prepared for meaningful careers and lifelong success. 

THE CATALYST AWARD

Changing School Systems and Culture

2025 Honoree: Dearborn Public Schools

Strengthening the expectation of college access within schools is a critical driver of Michigan's progress toward the Sixty by 30 Goal. By engaging students, parents, staff, and administrators to take meaningful action, schools create a sense of urgency around the postsecondary planning process. While program development supports positive outcomes, lasting impact comes from systems and culture. This award recognizes a school that has advanced a college-going culture and/or achieved significant systems-level change within its school, district, or community.

THE OMBUDSMAN AWARD

Supporting Students, Counselors, and Schools

2025 Honorees: Malitta Dillard, AdviseMI, Taylor High School; Sarah Martin, College Completion Corps, Montcalm Community College; Massimo Vozza, Michigan College Advising Corps, The School at Marygrove; and Isabel Kolanowski, Michigan State University College Advising Corps, Ferndale High School

Michigan College Access Network values the leadership and dedication of college advisers and coaches across the state. This award honors one member from each Michigan corps — AdviseMI, Michigan State University College Advising Corps, the Michigan College Advising Corps, and College Completion Corps — recognizing their on-the-ground contributions to advancing Michigan's Sixty by 30 Goal. Recipients of this award demonstrate a deep commitment to college access and success, persevere through challenges during their service, and proudly represent AmeriCorps to students, families, and the broader community. 

THE COMPASS AWARD

Advocating for Attainment

This award was not presented in 2025.

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.

Retired Awards