Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Rakiba L. Mitchell (Southeastern High School, MI)

Rakiba is implementing the SE4E Model—Exposure, Exploration, Engagement, and Enrollment—to improve postsecondary outcomes for students at Southeastern High School, especially first-generation and economically disadvantaged learners. This initiative expands postsecondary awareness, strengthens planning skills through application support, engages families through culturally responsive programming, and provides step-by-step guidance toward enrollment and successful postsecondary transition.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Dr. Lillian Martz

Dr. Martz is launching “Rising Scholars: College Access Support for First-Generation Students,” a targeted college preparation initiative for first-generation, low-income high school students. Using school counselors-in-training to provide career and college counseling services, this project will offer individualized support with college applications, career exploration, and scholarship opportunities, free of charge, during the critical transition from junior to senior year.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: David Urlaub (Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center / SkillsUSA Michigan)

David is expanding the “Skilled and Educated” initiative to strengthen postsecondary awareness and aspirations among skilled trades students across Michigan, many of whom are first-generation and from historically underrepresented communities. Through SkillsUSA chapter, regional, and statewide activities, this project helps students connect their skilled trades pathway to apprenticeships and other postsecondary education opportunities while building confidence to pursue postsecondary success.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Suzy Talentino (Sault Area Public Schools, Sault Ste. Marie, MI)

Suzy is launching “From Pain to Passion to Purpose,” a school counseling initiative that helps students explore generational trauma and develop the mindsets and non-cognitive skills needed for long-term college and career success. Through classroom lessons, small-group counseling, guest speakers, career exploration field trips, and family engagement, this project supports students in building self-awareness, purpose, and career readiness, beginning at Malcolm High School and expanding across grades K–12.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Quan Neloms (Wayne RESA, Detroit, MI)

Quan is expanding The ADAPT Narrative, a student-centered documentary and storytelling initiative designed to counter stereotype threat and strengthen postsecondary identity for first-generation students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Through culturally affirming digital storytelling, students develop and share their own achievement narratives, stories of growth, resilience, and vision, while schools and communities gain tools to recognize and disrupt harmful media bias and internalized negative narratives.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Rebecca Rice (Clawson High School, MI)

Rebecca is launching a district-wide, longitudinal K–12 postsecondary planning system in Clawson Public Schools to address fragmented systems and persistent inequities in postsecondary awareness and access. Beginning with a universal, collaborative student “Postsecondary Planning Profile”, this project will track student goals, interests, interventions, and family input over time, strengthening equity, transparency, continuity, and student confidence in college and career decision-making.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Larissa Hunt (Van Buren Tech / Van Buren Intermediate School District, MI)

Larissa is developing a comprehensive framework to formalize and expand second-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming at Van Buren Tech. This project will strengthen advanced CTE learning through “Z-code” curriculum, structured work-based learning (internships and formal job shadowing), and expanded access to articulated and/or dual enrollment college credit, creating stronger postsecondary and workforce transitions for students.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Gisselle Mandujano (Alliance Patti and Peter Neuwirth Leadership Academy, Los Angeles, CA)

Gisselle is launching a targeted support model for 9th and 10th grade Multilingual Learners to increase CSU eligibility and close persistent GPA equity gaps. The initiative includes peer tutoring during core teacher office hours, bilingual family workshops on CSU requirements, and a CSU campus visit to connect academic achievement to postsecondary opportunity for first-generation ML students.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Jessica Tibbitts (Pickford Public Schools, MI)

Jessica is building a K-12 career development system in Pickford Public Schools through career curriculum, community partnerships, and student “Experienceship” opportunities such as job shadowing, apprenticeships, and work-based learning. This project strengthens equitable college and career readiness supports for rural students, including first-generation and Native American Learners.

Mini-Grant Spotlight: Dr. Lillian Martz & Dr. Maritza Cha

Dr. Martz and Dr. Cha are leading a mixed-methods study to elevate BIPOC students’ lived experiences in Advanced Placement (AP) coursework and better understand the barriers and supports that shape access, persistence, and retention. Through student interviews and survey development, this project will generate evidence-based recommendations to strengthen equitable AP systems, inform school counseling practice, and support policy and programming that expand rigorous academic opportunities for historically underserved students.