College & Career Access Center of Jackson, MI

Week 1 of Summer Outreach is complete!

This week, our team kicked things off at the YMCA and Isaiah’s Hub with introductions to the CCAC, college and career exploration, and hands-on robotics activities.

Students had the opportunity to learn more about who we are, explore future pathways, and jump right into STEM learning through our new robotics kits. We’re excited to continue building connections, introducing new opportunities, and helping students think about their futures in fun and engaging ways throughout the summer.

We’re off to a great start!

Our team had the opportunity to participate in robotics training using our new LEGO robotics kits as we prepare for summer outreach!

A special thank you to Willie Lewis, Associate Principal of Jackson High School, for taking the time to train our team and help us get ready to bring hands-on STEM learning to students this summer.

We’re excited to use these robotics kits with our summer partners at the YMCA, Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, and Isaiah’s Hub to introduce STEM and robotics to kids of all ages. These activities help students explore problem-solving, creativity, teamwork, and future career pathways in a fun and engaging way.

We can’t wait to put this training into action throughout the summer!

Last week, we had the opportunity to welcome Grow Jackson to the Center for an overview of the CCAC and the services we provide to students, families, and community members.

Grow Jackson is offering summer internship opportunities for teens, and we’re excited to partner with them to help provide additional college and career resources along the way. This visit was the first step in helping participants learn more about post-secondary pathways, career exploration, and the support available through the CCAC.

We look forward to continuing this partnership in July with a group career assessment activity and again in August as students create action plans to help guide their next steps. We’re grateful for opportunities like this that connect teens to positive community engagement, meaningful resources, and future-focused planning!

Happy 5 Year Workiversary to Megan Pitts, our Director of Operations, Development, and Impact!

This week, our team attended the Jackson Collaborative Network Quarterly Gathering, joining local partners and organizations committed to strengthening support across Jackson County.

We are grateful for opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate with others who are working to build stronger systems of support for students, families, and our broader community. Together, we can continue creating pathways to brighter futures.

Summer break doesn’t mean your goals have to pause! Whether you’re exploring college options, planning your next steps, or preparing for your future career, the CCAC is still here to support you every step of the way. Use this summer to stay motivated, ask questions, and keep moving toward the future you want—we’re here to help!

Executive Director, Nancy Peters-Lewis and Community Initiatives and Advising Director, Brian Green recently joined JTV to launch and highlight the CCAC’s summer initiatives!

This summer, our team is focused on supporting students, recent graduates, adult learners, and families across Jackson County through Summer Melt outreach, summer programming, CCAC on the Road, community partner outreach, and continued college and career advising services.

Thank you to JTV for helping us share more about the work ahead and the ways the CCAC is showing up in the community this summer.

Watch the full interview to learn more about what’s coming this summer at the CCAC!

Summer Season Begins at College & Career Access Center Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

We are excited to recognize Alfonso Y. Gonzalez-Orozco, a recent graduate from JPS Jackson High School, as our Student of the Month!

Alfonso plans to attend Western Michigan University to study Human Biology with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. His passion for caring for others has been with him since childhood, and his drive is deeply inspired by his parents, who sacrificed so much in coming to the United States from Mexico.

Alfonso shared that one of his proudest accomplishments is becoming a first-generation college student in his family. He credits his mom and dad as the strongest people he knows and says they inspire him every day to keep going and work hard.

Outside of school, Alfonso enjoys spending time with friends, going on runs, and playing soccer. His advice to his peers is powerful: “Keep going no matter what. Tough times don’t last but tough people do. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, so do not ever give up!”

Alfonso also shared his appreciation for his college advisors, Sam and Baylee, who have supported him throughout his journey.

Congratulations, Alfonso! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see all that you accomplish at WMU and beyond!

We recently wrapped up our final Admin Team Meeting of the year with the incredible team at Columbia Central Junior-Senior High School alongside College and Career Advisor, Sheila!

Over the past school year, it’s been a rewarding journey visiting all 13 of our partner districts—reviewing college and career data, celebrating student successes, and engaging in meaningful conversations about how we can continue preparing students for life beyond high school.

We’re grateful for the collaboration, commitment, and shared vision each district brings to this work. Thank you to the Columbia Central Junior-Senior High School team for closing out this year’s meetings on such a positive note.

What a great season of partnership, reflection, and yes… data fun!

An even better FAFSA!

FAFSA Submitters Can Now See Their Results Immediately Students who fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid will now be able to get feedback on their eligibility for grants and loans immediately, thanks to a user experience update the platform launched Monday. The Office of Federal Student Aid will not only provide instant eligibility info...