2024 Conference
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
The 2024 Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach 16th Annual Conference will be taking place in-person on October 29, 2024 at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI!
The 2024 Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach 16th Annual Conference will be taking place in-person on October 29, 2024 at The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI!
The 2024 conference will take place at the University of Michigan Student Union. Please park at the Maynard Parking Structure and follow the PCC signs to the Student Union. The conference will occur on Tuesday, October 29, from 8:00 to 4:30 PM. A hot breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM with welcome remarks. The first session of speakers will begin at 9:00 AM, followed by the Keynote Speaker at 10:10 AM. At the conference, the check-in desk will open at 8:00 AM and remain open throughout the event for any assistance or queries you may have.
The conference Steering Committee comprises 13 different educational institutions and organizations around the state of Michigan, with the University of Michigan serving as this year’s location host.
Conference admission also includes access to the optional Monday night networking reception on October 28 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. This event will consist of free food, drinks, live music, and networking opportunities with the conference Steering Committee and leaders from the University of Michigan.
Date: October 28, 2024
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Weiser Hall – Top Floor
Parking: Church Street Parking Structure
This year’s theme, “Daring to Dream: Guiding Students Together,” reflects our collective mission to transform the education landscape through collaboration, creativity, and shared vision. As we confront the ever-evolving challenges to higher education, this conference is a rallying call to action. It’s an opportunity to unite our knowledge, exchange bold ideas, and develop tangible strategies that make college more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all students. Together, we empower students to dream big, take ownership of their academic journeys, and feel a true sense of belonging in educational spaces.
Your participation isn’t just about professional development—it’s about creating a ripple effect far beyond this conference. By coming together today, we are investing in a future where every student dares to dream and has the resources, support, and encouragement to turn those dreams into reality.
So, what’s with the squirrels everywhere? When the Steering Committee brainstormed this year’s conference branding, we wanted a symbol that captured the spirit of all Michigan campuses—something recognizable, beloved, and resilient. Enter the squirrel. No matter where students go in Michigan, these little creatures are a part of the landscape, a quirky but constant presence. We tapped into this shared connection by partnering with U-M student artist Lidya Sanchez to bring it to life. Her designs feature squirrels proudly wearing the colors of colleges across Michigan, and they are great reminders to be resourceful, adaptable, and ready to thrive. Squirrels navigate various terrains, campuses, seasons, and face challenges that require resilience and support. They build communities, share resources, and rely on each other.
They are a unique daily reminder for everyone in Michigan to remember these values in our work, as well as have fun. Squirrels always seem curious, playful and enjoying life. As we guide students, let’s embody that same resourcefulness, perseverance, and joy in helping them realize their potential and forge paths to success. Together, we’re not just dreaming of a better future; we’re building it.
Welcome to the 2024 Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach (PCC) Conference at the University of Michigan. It is an honor to have you here as we advance our shared mission of expanding college access and success throughout the State of Michigan. Your commitment to this critical work aligns with the University of Michigan’s enduring dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The PCC Conference serves as a resource for individuals working in higher education, pre-college programs, and college access initiatives. This conference is designed to foster learning, connection, and collaboration among colleagues from across the state and beyond. Your work is essential in raising college aspirations, improving readiness, increasing enrollment, and guiding more students—especially those from underserved communities—on the path to graduation. In doing so, we not only transform individual lives but also fortify the workforce and cultivate a lasting, positive impact on communities across Michigan.
This conference is more than an opportunity to convene; it highlights the vital work being done statewide across our colleges and universities. It’s a platform for sharing insights, learning from one another, and aligning our efforts to significantly enhance the postsecondary success of our youth. It is a chance to engage with experts in the field and sharpen our own approaches to the vital work ahead.
The sessions and discussions at today’s conference are designed to equip you with new strategies, enhance your knowledge and skills, and inspire you to form new partnerships. Together, let us deepen our resolve to drive progress toward our shared goal: making Michigan a state where every student can thrive, contribute, and succeed.
Best wishes for a productive and inspiring conference.
Tabbye Chavous, PhD
Vice Provost for Equity & Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Here are the conference track descriptions. Each session has a conference track listed on it for your convenience. There is also a suggested audience reference as well, but all are welcome to every section.
Description: This track focuses on strategies and initiatives to foster belonging among pre-college students, especially those from historically marginalized backgrounds (first-generation, LGBTQIA+, foster, rural, urban, multilingual, out-of-state, international, and more). Sessions may cover topics such as creating inclusive campus environments, building student organizations and affinity groups, implementing mentorship programs, addressing implicit bias, promoting cultural competence among staff, and leveraging student support services to enhance belongingness.
Description: This track empowers pre-college and college students to take ownership of their educational journey and career aspirations. Sessions may explore strategies for self-advocacy, goal setting, career exploration, and leadership development. Additionally, sessions may address the role of technology and digital platforms in supporting student agency and autonomy.
Description: This track supports professional development and skill enhancement for university staff engaged in pre-college outreach efforts. Sessions may cover leadership and career development, effective communication strategies, data-driven outreach planning, building partnerships with K-12 schools and community organizations, evaluation and data visualization, and navigating challenges in outreach work.
Description: This track focuses on proactive strategies for developing and maintaining trust with pre-college students, their families, and their schools before they arrive on a college campus. Sessions may address effective communication techniques, cultural competence in engaging diverse stakeholders, building rapport and empathy, and navigating challenging conversations.
In this conversation, we will explore challenges and opportunities in our work with Latinx youth and families. In this conversation, we will explore challenges and opportunities in our work with Latinx youth and families. Specifically, we will discuss issues of identity, language, and building trust across diverse Latinx communities.
SpeakersMany campus environments are not designed to meet the needs of low-income, first-generation, and racially minoritized students, leaving many to wonder if college is really for them. But what would happen if we created programs and campus cultures rooted in care and a desire to holistically promote these students’ success? In this session we will learn more about the Ecological Validation Model of Student Success, its impact on low-income, first-generation, and racially minoritized students, and how we might use it to create more caring and humanizing environments for all.
Speaker
Wolverine Pathways, like many other pre-collegiate programs, must generate, manage, analyze, and distribute data for various and sometimes competing purposes. What successes and challenges have emerged for the program since its inception and how might these be especially salient in the anti-DEI environment in which we find ourselves.
Speakers
Carla O’Connor, PhD, University of Michigan
Felecia Webb, PhD, University of Michigan
In this interactive workshop, attendees will learn how to leverage the faculty-led, federally funded research grant proposal process to support outreach activities. We will begin with an overview of the federally funded landscape and trends in outreach requirements for research grants. We will lead attendees in brainstorming how current or future activities may fit within the framing of a federal funder (e.g., National Science Foundation). Finally, we will provide advice on navigating common challenges and building positive relationships with faculty and other research development professionals.
Speakers
Discover how virtual reality can revolutionize high school career exploration. Many students lack a clear educational or career plan because they don’t know what jobs truly entail. VR technology allows them to “try” various professions, providing immersive experiences of daily job activities. By eliminating roles that don’t resonate, students can narrow their options and make more informed decisions about their education and career paths. Empower your students to author their own journey with VR, making career planning engaging and effective.
Speakers
Learn more about the new Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) and the state’s first Office of Higher Education Hear about the statewide attainment goals and how your work helps fuel statewide goals Learn more about new state scholarship programs and how these investments help alleviate student and family concerns about cost Participate in a conversation about how the state can be a stronger partner in your work to achieve our shared goals of expanding college access and success and prosperity for our state.
Speaker
Michelle Richard, Deputy Director for Higher Education Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP)
The session focuses on how a project hoped to build upon the success and infrastructure of Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) summer youth employment program to meet the larger goal of helping all Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) students prepare for college and careers. Programs like GDYT are important connection and intervention points to influence student’s postsecondary education and career planning. DPSCD is invested in utilizing the Xello career planning and readiness online tool to work with all students in the district. Join us to learn how the GDYT program and community-based organizations are working together to leverage their programs to reinforce and support college and career planning efforts.
Speakers
Nicole Hill, Program Director, Connect Detroit
Vania Ruiz, Youth Workforce Development Director, Urban Neighborhood Initiative
Alphonso Amos, Executive Director – Detroit, Urban Alliance
Trina Shanks, PhD, Professor of Social Work and Director of the Center for Equitable Family and Community Wellbeing, University of Michigan
Students can hear advice one time and it can last for a lifetime—especially when it’s from a peer. In this interactive session with Intend2Attend and the Center for Educational Outreach, we’ll dive into the power of near-peer outreach in multiple contexts. From a day to a month to a year, you’ll hear how student leaders and young professionals leverage their stories to connect with high school students and navigate deeper conversations about college. Whether looking to explore the concept or apply it yourself, prepare to sail away with ideas for how you too can touch hearts and empower students through near-peer interactions!
SpeakersThe importance of supporting identity, mental, emotional, and social health needs within youth programming has come into greater focus over the past few years. In the post-pandemic world, there are increasing complexities in the accommodations needed to best support youth when they are away from home. In this session, learn how to ask the right questions, strategically plan before programming starts, and use data to inform interactions with students to create an inclusive and accommodating environment for youth while on campus.
Speakers
Jessica Bilodeau, Michigan State University
Lindsay Wood, CampDoc
T2C Studio adapts the familial role of “Community Aunties,” providing support to first-gen scholars in a nurturing and familial manner. The holistic critical advising framework considers the unique backgrounds and experiences of these scholars, focusing on their strengths rather than deficits. Attendees will gain insights into practical strategies employed by the “Community Aunties” model, including asset-based programming such as the Summer Melt Tour, First Gen Week, and unique Professional Development opportunities. By sharing experiences and outcomes, this proposal aims to inspire educators and institutions to adopt similar approaches, contributing to a more inclusive and empowering educational landscape for all students.
Speaker
According to the National Rural Education Association, nearly 1 in 5 Michigan students is considered to be rural, yet these rural students proportionately receive less funding than their more urban counterparts. Rural students and their educators face unique challenges such as resource availability, geographic location, and opportunity diversity. In this session, we will showcase the strengths and challenges of rural education with insights from students, educators, and educational partners and highlight ways to support rural students.
Speakers
Jannah Tumey, Michigan Technological University
Cassy Tefft de Muñoz, Michigan Technological University
During the 2023-24 programmatic year the Michigan GEAR UP program and the Center for Educational Outreach at Michigan Tech used data collected in the 2022-23 programmatic year from student surveys and administrator meetings at the beginning of the 2023-24 programmatic year to implement a needs-based approach to program and service delivery. This implementation results both in successful implementation of programming throughout the year and a significant increase in student, community and school participation. This success and consistent implementation has increased the communities’ trust in the programming provided by Michigan Tech’s MI GEAR UP program and Center for Educational Outreach.
SpeakerThe voices of young people have always been and always will be critical to the evolution of a just society. Since 2017, Michigan State University’s Global Youth Advancement Network (GYAN) has hosted an annual regional essay competition for 15–24-year-olds across the globe to advocate for their communities and share their opinions and stories about local and national challenges. Winning essays are awarded and published, amplifying student perspectives on self-advocacy, goal setting, and leadership, thereby influencing policy and fostering change.
SpeakerSay goodbye to traditional career interest inventories and embrace innovative approaches to career exploration with your students! Join us as we share with you successful field trips that were held with the support of our community professionals and college/university educators. Learn how career walks through town, facility tours and department visits can spark curiosity in your students to pursue specific career fields.
Speakers
Catherine Jordan, Michigan Technological University
Emily Cibulka, Michigan Technological University
What is the difference between a successful student and one who struggles, particularly when transitioning between high school and college? In many cases it’s not the ability to understand the curriculum, but the ability to produce results. Developing better executive functioning, or study skills, can be the key!
From understanding weekly time management to coping with digital distractions, from old-school techniques like timers to new school tools like virtual calendars, students can learn skills that help them to organize, plan, prioritize, and NOT procrastinate. Learn tips and strategies to help your students become executive function pros and find success!
Speakers
Nan Janecke, Western Michigan University
Kelly Schultz, Western Michigan University
Hands-on educational experiences in career discovery can introduce pre-college students to an abundance of opportunities and pathways, yet, some programs do not attract the enrollment expected for the quality of programming. What factors interest and motivate parents, guardians, and students to participate in extracurricular educational activities? In this session, we will explore the motivation of parents and guardians to enroll their student in Michigan Technological University Summer Youth Programs’ week-long academic, residential camps, including how financial aid impacts decision-making and identify strategies for future program recruitment.
Speaker
Brad Wells, Michigan Technological University
For decades the US has been described as a melting pot of cultures, but what if we reframe our vision? Instead of considering us a melting pot, we look at ourselves as a mosaic, where each culture, background, and identity is a tile in the beautiful picture that makes up our space. In this session, participants will learn ways to create a space where instead of blending cultures to fit one narrative, we explore how to create a space when each student is part of the large mosaic of our community.
Speaker
Wayne State University (WSU) and My1of1 have formed a transformative partnership aimed at empowering students to develop their educational and professional brands. Through interactive workshops and hands-on experiences with My1of1’s online platform, students explore creativity, brand building, and practical marketing skills. This collaboration enhances student individuality and also cultivates a robust entrepreneurial mindset. By designing personalized apparel and engaging in real-world marketing, students gain invaluable career readiness and practical insights. This presentation highlights how this partnership enriches the educational experience for WSU GEAR UP students, equipping students with tools to innovate, and succeed in diverse marketing roles and entrepreneurial ventures.
Speakers
Self-disclosure is a critical component of building strong relationships and encouraging curiosity. Learn how sharing your story can be a powerful tool when guiding student populations in career exploration.
Speakers
DAPCEP has served generations of children and families throughout Southeastern Michigan for more than 45 years. Our length of service reflects priorities and goals established early in our organization history. DAPCEP’s mission is to ensure student access to high quality, STEM-focused, academic experiences outside the traditional school day. Achieving this mission has involved applying novel strategies, expanding our definition of “support”, and building intentional relationships with families, students, and schools. In this presentation, we will share our history and best practices for engaging students from racial and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in STEM.
Speaker
Managing programming takes a village, and a large part of that village is our student staff. Student staff have their own unique needs as they continue to navigate their own college journey and begin to transition into young professionals. How do we balance developing our student staff, trusting them to author our programs, and meet programmatic goals? In this session we will discuss what guides our practices and reflect on what we need to learn moving forward. Note: While ideas/concepts can certainly be adapted for different programming models, we will not be referencing residential summer program staff during this session.
Speakers
Brand New/First Year Outreach Professional: This presentation is geared towards new or relatively new outreach professionals
The goal of this presentation is to provide knowledge to engage, encourage and empower students. We will discuss how to implement a growth mindset, re-framing adversity as a learning tool, and best practices to establish rapport with students. This session will also demonstrate how to use practical strategies skills/tools such as time management, goal setting, proactive planning etc. to foster student success & self-advocacy.
Speaker
This session will provide highlights from a newer book featuring case studies of pre-college programs throughout the U.S. These case studies include an overview of the program, its objectives, impact, and challenges. Each case study highlights 1-2 dimensions of an effective pre-college program. This session will discuss the takeaways from these case studies and how to extract elements and apply them to our own programs.
Speakers
Christopher Tremblay, University of Michigan
Susan Sheth, Michigan State University
This presentation will be exploring what Gen Z values in mentorship relationships as well as the workplace. We will introduce the SummerWorks program and then provide an overview of how mentorship improves professional outcomes for young adults. We will also be discussing how to educate mentors to work across different identities, brainstorm ideas for engaging with mentors as a summer program, and provide resources on impactful mentorship.
Speakers
Kathleen Clancey, University of Michigan
Morgan Cox, University of Michigan
Mel Monier, University of Michigan
The Detroit River Story Lab, an interdisciplinary initiative at the University of Michigan, collaborates with community organizations to re-envision the region’s primary waterway as a catalyst for community revitalization and student empowerment. Evidence shows that first-generation college students are more committed to serving their communities post-graduation. By focusing on place-based, culturally relevant, and experiential learning, the Lab’s innovative educational programs serve as a model for community-responsive instruction that enhances learning outcomes for diverse student populations. Attendees will gain insights into program design principles and partnership development, along with future project plans aimed at furthering student and community empowerment.
Speakers
Vanessa Louis, University of Michigan
Melissa Duhaime, University of Michigan
This interactive workshop will help outreach professionals recognize the importance of self-care, equip them with practical stress management techniques, and empower them to create personalized self-care plans to prevent burnout in their high-impact roles.
Speakers
Tiffani Dunbar, Wayne State University (TRIO Veterans Upward Bound)
Yumeika Perry, Wayne State University (TRIO Veterans Upward Bound)
The Why I Belong@UM-Flint project focuses on the current and past identity narratives of students and their experiences with sense of belonging at the University of Michigan-Flint. It also involves an archival gap analysis to identify historical records for a sample of “identity groups” represented by the current study’s participants. Through insights generated from a survey, focus groups, and the archival gap analysis, we strive to tap into a broad spectrum of current and past student experiences and empower our major stakeholders to more intentionally and inclusively support student well-being and success in the future.
Speakers
Brand New/First Year Outreach Professional: This presentation is geared towards new or relatively new outreach professionals
This session focuses on our ability to support our students to develop the healthy conflict resolution skills necessary to navigate post-secondary environments. Grounded in restorative justice, this session will engage participants in their consideration of what is necessary to break the norms of responding to and managing conflict in carceral and violent ways. We will use the dramatic arts as a fun and engaging tool to bring restorative approaches alive.
Speaker
This workshop will explore the significant benefits of collaborating with K-12 administrators and professionals in designing and executing university outreach programs. By sharing experiences from a successful summer camp for K-12 students, participants will learn how K-12 educators bring valuable tools, superb communication skills, and a wealth of knowledge that enhance outreach activities. The session will provide insights into the collaborative process, highlighting the importance of involving K-12 professionals at all stages of planning and implementation. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for fostering strong partnerships between higher education and K-12 institutions, ultimately enriching educational experiences for all participants.
Speakers
Representatives from U-M’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance will describe several mentorship programs hosted through SMTD’s various offices, walking through each program’s development and describing how they have become invaluable tools for pre-college students and current students to connect with the local community. Both programs will then be further discussed through the perspective of SMTD’s Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
SpeakersIn an effort to begin addressing systemic barriers to education and to improve equity, diversity and inclusion in the practice of educational outreach, we must thoughtfully consider the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) framework. Join me as we work together to reflect and start to build a robust action plan framework that will ensure your organization executes holistic JEDI Change.
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