DCAN Update | Sept. 15, 2020
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR COLLEGE ACCESS PROS
DCAN launches Detroit STRIVE
DCAN is thrilled to launch Detroit STRIVES, a monthly professional development series for those who support students with college access.

You'll find details about Detroit STRIVES and other resources in this week's newsletter below!

Wishing you well,

The DCAN Team
DETROIT STRIVES
Monthly professional development series launches in October
Detroit STRIVES is a professional development series for those who support students with college access.

These sessions will be hosted monthly from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Detroit STRIVES will feature different college access topics; every session will have one hour of an access topic and one hour on FAFSA strategy and completion. You can partake in the portion that is most relevant to you!

Presenter: Onjila Odeneal, Strategy Director, DCAN

October 1
10 a.m.: College Application Month/Match Reach Safety support
11 a.m.: Financial Aid: Data Use Agreement/FSAID

November 5
10 a.m.: Student Data Tracking
11 a.m.: Financial Aid: Tracking for Seniors

December 3
10 a.m.: Counselors Requirements/Systems for Admissions/Scholarships
11 a.m.: Financial Aid: FAFSA Drive methods before the New Year
#WHYAPPLY DAY
Wear your college gear & take a selfie Sept. 18!
To kick off the college application season, the American College Application Campaign is sponsoring the #WhyApply social media campaign, which encourages students to complete the college application process.

To participate, wear your college gear on Friday, Sept. 18 and share to social media why you believe students should apply to college, using the #WhyApply hashtag.
SKILLMAN FOUNDATION PRESIDENT'S YOUTH COUNCIL
The Skillman Foundation is seeking Detroit youth who will share their insights and ideas to help shape the Foundation’s efforts to improve and expand educational and economic opportunities for young Detroiters.  
 
As a fierce champion of Detroit children, young people’s perspectives are invaluable to informing our work and influencing the direction of our city. 
 
Skillman is looking for dedicated and passionate young people to participate on a 10-person Youth Council for a two-year term, beginning in November 2020. 

Members will be compensated for their work.
 
The deadline for nominations is Sept. 25, 2020.

Questions about the Council and the application process can be directed to Jessica Eiland Anders, special projects manager: jeiland@skillman.org. 
MCAN & NCAN UPDATES
Futures for Frontliners scholarship program announced

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer held a press conference last week to announce the Futures for Frontliners 

What is it?
  • Provides scholarships for Michiganders without college degrees who worked in frontline jobs in essential industries during the state COVID-19 shutdown in spring 2020.
  • Provides tuition-free access to public community colleges to earn an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate.
  • Uses federal funds to launch the program.
DCAN Executive Director featured speaker at NCAN's 25th Anniversary conference

Ashley Johnson will join two other speakers to answer the questions: Is college indeed for everyone? Should we encourage all our students to pursue a postsecondary degree? Aren't there jobs out there that will enable our students to earn a family-sustaining wage without going to college?

In these Lightning Talks, conference-goers will hear perspectives from three NCAN member organizations during these brief, thought provoking, TED-like talks.

Speakers:
  • Austin Buchan, CEO, College Forward
  • Tina Fernandez, Executive Director, Achieve Atlanta
  • Ashley Johnson, Executive Director, Detroit College Access Network
"The college access space has evolved in great ways..."

Hear from DCAN Executive Director Ashley Johnson and other college access champions from around the country on the state of our arena in these challenging times in this video shared during the NCAN 25th Anniversary conference this week.
We create space for those the systems we have in place aren't working for to elevate their voice.
A DCAN SUCCESS STORY
Congrats, Ejiro Enajero!

"I was able to secure a scholarship that I found out about from DCAN.

I’m a former Detroit Promise recipient that’s transferring from State to Western Michigan.

I spoke with DCAN about possible scholarships and funding available and people to reach out to. I was able to reach out to some of the organizations they listed and am closer and closer to my debt-free college degree each day. 

I won the Hartford Scholarship. after watching DCAN’s financial aid seminar back in May, then applied. So that was great!!!"
DCAN WELCOMES NEW
AMERICORPS VISTAS!
Lindsay Regalado is a new member of the DCAN team, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA.

She recently graduated from Michigan State University this May and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication.

While at Michigan State, she volunteered at Haven House, a family homeless shelter, and interned at Michigan Health Information Network.

In her free time, she enjoys going to concerts, being with friends and playing with her dog, Martha.

She is looking forward to the next year and helping students in Detroit achieve their educational dreams.
Olivia Tubaro is a new member of the DCAN team, serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA.

Olivia grew up in Metro Detroit and attended Central Michigan University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and English literature, language and writing.

She will be assisting with outreach to DCAN’s partners and is excited to support data-driven initiatives.

Before joining DCAN, Olivia worked as an English as a Second or Other Language paraprofessional at an elementary school in Florida.

She is passionate about equity and inclusivity in education and is thrilled to contribute to a college-going culture in Detroit.

Olivia loves reading, learning languages, and traveling to new places.
CONNECT: Detroit College Access Network