Building Pathways in Michigan: Advancing Student Success and Strengthening the Workforce
No
4/2/2026 10:00 AM
4/2/2026 1:30 PM

​​​​​The American Council on Education's (ACE) Building Pathways Initiative is a limited series of state convenings designed to advance student success by elevating and connecting state-led priorities with national insights. This in-person convening—generously hosted by Kalamazoo College with funding from Imaginable Futures—brings together Michigan’s higher education leaders alongside employers, students, and state partners to explore how targeted support for student parents creates models that benefit all student populations, particularly students who face barriers to access and completion.

Michigan is driving innovation with programs that connect education to employment while addressing the evolving needs of tomorrow’s learners—student parents, working adults, and underrepresented students—all of whom are essential to strong states and thriving communities. This convening will build on that momentum by facilitating cross-sector discussions; sharing research insights from Urban Institute on student parents with applications to additional underrepresented populations; demonstrating strategic workforce partnerships from the Business–Higher Education Forum; and more.

By anchoring this convening in Michigan’s higher education community and engaging cross-sector partners, we will strengthen our shared commitment to student access, success, and earnings.


Speakers

The Honorable Matt Longjohn
Michigan House of Representatives District 40
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The Honorable Matt Longjohn - Michigan House of Representatives District 40 -
The Honorable Matt Longjohn
Michigan House of Representatives District 40
Jorge Gonzalez
President, Kalamazoo College
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Jorge Gonzalez - President, Kalamazoo College -
Jorge Gonzalez
President, Kalamazoo College
L. Marshall Washington
President, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
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L. Marshall Washington - President, Kalamazoo Valley Community College -
L. Marshall Washington
President, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Theresa Anderson
Senior Fellow; Workforce, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute
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Theresa Anderson - Senior Fellow; Workforce, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute -
Theresa Anderson
Senior Fellow; Workforce, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute
Frank Avery
Managing Director of Partnerships, Business–Higher Education Forum
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Frank Avery - Managing Director of Partnerships, Business–Higher Education Forum -
Frank Avery
Managing Director of Partnerships, Business–Higher Education Forum
Ryan Fewins-Bliss
Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network
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Ryan Fewins-Bliss - Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network -
Ryan Fewins-Bliss
Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network
Sarah Szurpicki
Deputy Director for the Office of Higher Education, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential
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Sarah Szurpicki - Deputy Director for the Office of Higher Education, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential -
Sarah Szurpicki
Deputy Director for the Office of Higher Education, Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential
Ashley Wisniewski
Director of College Engagement, Michigan Community College Association
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Ashley Wisniewski - Director of College Engagement, Michigan Community College Association -
Ashley Wisniewski
Director of College Engagement, Michigan Community College Association
Jennifer Wixson
Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, North Central Michigan College
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Jennifer Wixson - Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, North Central Michigan College -
Jennifer Wixson
Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, North Central Michigan College

​Registration

​This in-person convening will take place on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kalamazoo College. Attendance is by invitation only.

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