Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and Michigan College Access Network collaborate to cultivate transformative leaders

The Michigan Leadership Fellows program, a groundbreaking collaboration between Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and Michigan College Access Network, is set to empower its third diverse, state-wide cohort of six rising educational leaders. This 18-month, project-based fellowship was designed to build a robust pipeline of equity-minded, transformative leaders who will champion postsecondary educational access and success for all Michigan students.

Program Goals

1. Equity-Driven Leadership: The fellowship focuses on an instructional leadership vision for principals focused on improvement of instructional practice, learning-focused culture, allocation of resources and systems management. 
2. Principal Pipeline Development: The program is committed to preparing future principals who are well-equipped to navigate the multifaceted challenges of school leadership. Through action research, mentoring, and leadership coaching, fellows will hone their skills and vision. Each Fellow has committed to applying for a secondary school principalship within 1-3 years after completing the program. 
3. Post-Secondary Opportunities: The fellowship aligns with MCAN’s mission to increase the percentage of Michigan residents with degrees or postsecondary certificates to 60% by 2030. Fellows will explore innovative ways to advance postsecondary pathways for all students.

This focus on leadership development and principal capacity is critical to building culture and leading learning. MASSP Associate Director of Training and Development Tom Lietz shared that, “The Michigan Leadership Fellows program equips leaders to transform systems, inspire their communities, and create meaningful access to postsecondary opportunities across our state. Strong leadership is the most powerful lever we have to improve learning and expand postsecondary access. This work challenges leaders to think differently, act intentionally, and design schools where opportunity is not an exception, but an expectation for every Michigan student.” 

Fellowship Components

1. Mentoring: Fellows will learn from seasoned administrators, gaining insights into effective leadership practices.
2. Coaching: Expert coaches will guide fellows through reflective processes, enhancing their leadership capacity.
3. Professional Learning Community: Fellows will convene monthly around a set curriculum, hot-topics and research projects to hone their leadership based on data and practice.  
4. Action Research: Fellows will contribute valuable insights to educational improvement through meaningful research projects.

Recognizing the Recipients

MASSP and MCAN extend a heartfelt welcome to the third cohort of AP Fellows. Their dedication and commitment to educational excellence will shape the future of Michigan’s schools and communities. We recognize the following recipients and their districts:

1. Keytria Burt-Walker, Muskegon Maritime Academy
2. Anthony DeGrazia, International Academy Okma Campus, Bloomfield Hills School District
3. Douglas Livingston, Tawas Middle School and Tawas High School, Tawas Area Schools
4. Ray Miller, Plymouth High School, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools
5. Nathaniel Moody, Valleywood Middle School, Kentwood Public Schools 
6. Jessica Stage, Bloomfield Hills Schools