?? Youth Spotlight ?? Do you know Getsemani Gonzalez? She's a rockstar! Getsemani began as a highschool youth participant years ago through our leaders in training program! Just last year she dedicated 6 months to intern at UNI with our Post-secondary education initiatives. She worked to provide translation for FAFSA support and communicate with our current youth in college to build up our College Alumni Network. She is currently a college ambassador supporting incoming students from UNI programs with their college experience. We are so proud of Getsemani! congratulations Getsemani, keep advocating and leading the way for others. We applaud you. ????????????
I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce our 2024-25 MI student fellows. Were excited to have a second cohort of students to be involved in our state strategy and policy efforts for FY26. The MI student fellows program is a paid one year opportunity for current MI postsecondary students (also graduates of MI high schools) to learn about state higher ed policy, identify an issue to champion for their peers and future generations, and to do the challenging yet exciting work of advocacy on their issue from research, communication strategies, and coalition/legislative uplift. The fellows had a successful summer of policy training and now fired up for their policy issue for FY26. Issue: State provided user friendly online resource, streamlining state resources and student/family supports in alignment with talent needs and economic strategies so they are better equipped to make informed decisions on pathways towards viable livelihoods in MI. Examples -List all state financial aid/resource opportunities in one place so that they are easier to follow and understand for students and families in building financial education plans. For example there are several teacher pipeline scholarships funded by the state but they live in a variety of places across depts and associations and not the easiest to find. -Alignment of state funded program opportunities for talent needs/deficits For example, programs, resources and stackable credential roadmaps for the health care pipeline needs in the state, technology, manufacturing, trades to degrees roadmaps etc. -Uplift of where supports are available by institutions and region, eg what schools have free mental health counseling, book stipends, housing grants, programs to address food insecurities, auto admit, transfer resources, understandable articulation agreements aligned with viable labor opportunities (that are regularly updated). -MI specific scholarships and emergency aid database awarded by providers throughout MI that can be sorted by region, program interests, need vs merit, and allowed utilization eg books. So that students don’t have to hunt for this to make an informed decision about careers, programs and institutions and their ability to stay enrolled through completion when they are met with hardships. Check out our 2024-25 Fellows bios at https://lnkd.in/gz7wmDQW
-
-
-
-
-
+5