OPPORTUNITY
MI-CAPPRECAPF A L L 2 0 2 0
in the face of
OBSTACLES
OPPORTUNITY
COMMITTEES CHAIR CONTACT
INFORMATION
Development/Fair Share
Cindy Cowell
Public Relations & Communications
Erica Mead
Scholarship Committee
Yadira Bautista & Anna Maria Clark
Finance
Jill Martin
Legal Concerns & Constitutional Issues
Josh Brandsen
Legislation & Education
Andrea Mireles
Historical Preservation
Magnolia Sanders
Nominations & Elections
Emily Cibulka
Professional Development
Membership & Certification Committee
Primavera Jimenez
Research & Evaluation
VACANT
Special Concerns & Affiliations
Marilee Kujat
Spring Conference
Strategic Planning
VACANT
Student Leadership Summit
Liz Colburn & Maricela Mireles
Parliamentarian
Robert Ross
Technology
Ava McDowell
Alumni & Achievers
VACANT
PRESIDENT
Kailee Laplander
Academic Advisor/Public Relations
TRIO Talent Search & Upward Bound
Finlandia University
P: 906-487-7382
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Primavera Jimenez
Director
CMU TRIO Detroit
Central Michigan University - Detroit
P: 313-596-0759
PAST-PRESIDENT
Melissa Merkel
Director, Student Support Services
Jackson College
P: 517-990-1378
SECRETARY
Ava McDowell
Academic Coordinatir
Project Upward Bound
Oakland University
P: (248) 370-3218
TREASURER
Aubrey Folts
Coordinator
Student Support Services
Mott Community College
P: (810) 762-0947
Email: [email protected] if you wouldlike to discuss board opportunities
MI-CAPP 2019-2020 BOARD
President
A M E S S A G E
F R O M T H E
Hello MI-CAPP,
My favorite podcast is Girls Just Pod to Have Fun, hosted by musical duo Jill & Kate. Their tagline is,“A podcast for when life doesn’t go the way you planned.” While they have been at it for a few yearsnow, the theme seems more relevant than ever in 2020. I surely did not plan for a global pandemic,travel restrictions and moving my entire life (personal and professional) to the internet, and I’mguessing you didn’t either.
On one of the podcast episodes, Jill & Kate spoke with Miles Adox, who is the founder of OnSite, a250 acre emotional wellness retreat in Tennessee. When asked about facing obstacles in life, he said,“Those obstacles turned out to be the best opportunity I have ever experienced, but it didn’t feel thatway in the beginning.”
Right now, we are still in the beginning stages. The frustration is real, and I find myself wanting theformer “normal” back. I had a plan that I knew would work. Life didn’t feel experimental or trial-and-error. My new normal requires thinking outside of my comfort zone. I like when things run smoothly,and this current road has plenty of obstacles to overcome.
In the transitional period of Fall 2020, I am choosing to frame our work with this quote. I believe all ofthe hard work, recreating and pushing boundaries that is being done will have a payoff. You will be abetter advocate for your students because of this time. Your students will be more resilient and willfeel supported by TRIO more. Our programs will be stronger. We just need to get through the growingpains.
Thank you for the countless hours you have spent redeveloping your programs to serve yourstudents. I hope that you too can frame this transitional time with Adox’s quote. These obstacles willmake us better, stronger and durable. Keep up the great work of TRIO. You are needed, maybe morethan ever.
As always, you have my support. Please reach out if there is anything I can do to help.
Kailee Laplander
MI-CAPP President
M I A D V O C A C Y A N O T E F R O M T H E
L E G I S L A T I O N / E D U C A T I O N T E A M
Michigan TRIO Programs were well represented during the COE 2020
Annual Policy Seminar and the virtual congressional and senate
meetings. Thank you all for your patience and for engaging
throughout the advocacy process sharing your heartfelt stories of
TRIO Alumni to advocate for current and future TRIO Program
participants! COVID-19 altered our method but certainly did not stop
our voices from being heard.
We are already tweaking the timeline in preparation for 2021 Policy
Seminar; please feel free to forward your recommendations for next
year's committee to consider. We hope you will consider joining the
Committee; please contact us at [email protected].
Your expertise, appreciation for numbers, spreadsheets, details,
planning and your commitment to TRIO are welcomed on the
Legislation and Education Committee. The change in format and the
ever-changing schedules of Michigan congress proved a challenge,
but one that MI-CAPP was victorious over thanks to the
Legislation/Education committee. #TRIOWorks
A Special Thank You to Legislation/Education Chair Andrea
Mireles and her committee (Dr. William Washington & Jeff
Gagnon)for their hard work!
P O L I C Y 2 0 2 0 S T A T S
14 Congress Members, including
Senator Gary Peters and
Senator Debbie Stabenow
7 2 P R O G R A M S
1 7 , 3 5 6 S T U D E N T S S E R V E D
$25,081,859.00 Michigan TRIO
Funding
100% of Michigan House/Senate
offices were reached!
2019-2020 ELI, Alejo Sepulveda on call with Representative Haley Stevens
Jessica Brown and Representative Paul Mitchell
POLICY
2020
P A R T I C I P A N T : 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 9
G R A D U A T E D : D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 9
G R A N D V A L L E Y S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y
C U R R E N T C A R E E R : R E S E A R C H
A R E A S P E C I A L I S T A S S O C I A T E A T
T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M I C H I G A N
N E U R O S C I E N C E I N S T I T U T E
F U T U R E P L A N S : A T T E N D I N G
G R A D U A T E S C H O O L I N T H E N E A R
F U T U R E T O C O N T I N U E P U R S U I N G
H I S E D U C A T I O N A L G O A L S
E V E N T U A L L Y O B T A I N I N G A P H D
TRIO Student Support Services was an essential part of my journey in undergrad. TRIO
provided me with the resources necessary to succeed academically, personally, and
professionally. Whenever I felt as though I couldn't figure sometime out or needed
assistance in some aspect of my life I knew I could always go to a TRIO advisor or staff
member for help. My time spent in TRIO made my college experience worthwhile because it
allowed me to not only grow as a better student but as a better person and professional as
well.
Speaking of professional, TRIO helped prep me like many of their students to excel in the
workforce. Prior to graduating I was offered a full-time position at the University of
Michigan as a Research Area Specialist in the Neuroscience Institute. I am thankful for all
TRIO has done and provided for first-gen students like myself.
M I - A L U M N ILAVAR GREEN-JACKSON
BIO
MI-STUDENTSThe annual Student Leadership Summit was held at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa on February
21-23, 2020. At the conference, students heard from keynote speakers Grace Adofoli & Jake
Putala.
Adolfoli, who is a TRIO alumnus from Wisconsin, now works for the Center for Disease Control in
Atlanta, GA, and challenged the students to take on the characteristics and habits of leaders.
Putala, a Baraga, MI native, told of his experience in public service at a young age, and challenged
students not to be hindered by fear of failure.
On Saturday, students were able to choose four workshops to attend (out of twenty options),
participated in a service project for the Father Fred Foundation, attended a panel discussion, and
the MI-CAPP Endowment Scholarship Banquet.
We caught up with a few students at the SLS to ask them about
their experiences with the conference and with TRIO.
CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON
Conference Impressions: One of my favorite presentationshad engaging questions that really helped the group talk. Sheasked us about our ages and interests in order to helpconnect us to other people in the room. I also really likeddiscussion about how communication and being a leader areone in the same--how we communicate is how we lead.Message for TRIO staff: "Thank you for doing so much andchanging a lot of people's lives."Future Plans: Attending U of M for Engineering. I 've alreadybeen accepted!
18, Upward BoundUnion High School, Grand Rapids
CIANE WOODS
Conference Impressions: I loved "Lead with your Best Self. Hetalked a lot about having a vision and having courage to go out andmanifest your vision. I also liked "Do I Belong Here?"She talkedabout having a sense of belonging when you're at college, so thatit's easier to make that transition.Thoughts on TRIO: I like having a support system and wouldrecommend TRIO to anyone. I don't really think i had a greatsupport system before TRIO. I wish I knew about it before 9th grade.Even though I'm in a middle college, I never grasped the seriousnessof how important it is to have a college degree before I gotinvolved with them in 11th grade.Future Plans: Getting my bachelor's and becoming a dentalhygienist. Then possibly going back for a business degree--I wouldlove to own my own daycare or youth center.
18, Student Support ServicesMott Middle College
CONGRATULATIONSMICAPP SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
Adult Learners Academic AchievementLesley Bos, SSS, GRCC
Jennifer Davenport, SSS, Bay CollegeYelizaveta Parrish,SSS, WMU
Darvell Reid, SSS, VSU
Adult Learners Academic ProgressConnie Dock, SSS, GRCCAngelica Ellis, SSS, GVSULaJoya Fulton, SSS, GVSU
Jaquay Renfro, SSS, Mott CC
Pre-College Academic AchievementDaniela Centeno, UB, GVSU
Erica Hemwall, UB,Monroe County CCKaitlyn Hemwall, UB, Monroe County CC
Jessica Romero-Ramos, UB, GVSUDamaris Vailmencho, UB, GVSU
Pre-College Academic ProgressDarius Bowman, UB, CMUDartayne Irving, UB, CMU
Stacy Zacarias-Ortiz, UB, GVSU
Adult Learners Study AbroadTuria More, SSS, GVSU
Nicolette Nelson, SSS GVSU
For meeting and exceeding our
2019-2020 Fair Share Goal!
Thank you to everyone who
submitted 10 for 10 contributions,
renewed their institutions COE membership,
or contributed in any additional ways.
You are making Michigan
a force to be reckoned with!
CONGRATULATIONSEOA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
EOA Board of DirectorsJoseph Day, SSS, GRCC
EOAF Board of Directors
Casey Krycia, SSS, Bay College
Silas PurnellSeth Ellison, UB, Mott Community College
MI-CAPP FAIR SHARE
COVID-19 RESOURCESFirst Generation Sudents and COVIDCOE COVID-19 Resources for TRIO Programs: https://www.coenet.org/covid-19.shtml
Three Tips for 1st Gen Students Navigating Education During the Pandemichttps://diverseeducation.com/article/185452/
Impacts of COVID-19 On First-Generation Studentshttps://firstgen.naspa.org/news-and-blogs/a-resource-impacts-of-covid-19-on-first-generation-students-experienced-across-institutions-of-higher-education
FinancesThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) https://www.consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/?fbclid=IwAR2zPv_u78wWd8XxDSy0bU4xiyVvCix05wqogoq6O9dcUZn5exT_FPTCrV4 UnemploymentDepartment of Labor and Opportunityhttps://www.michigan.gov/leo/0,5863,7-336-78421_97241_98585---,00.html?fbclid=IwAR35fI3Cis-3yaH2G2wr4HlXQJOlfrj7FRAP-235WSZBlCmQt5NABZ3LBvE Mental and Emotional HealthGreater Good’s Guide to Well-Being During Coronavirus: Compilation of practices, resources, and articles for individuals, parents, and educatorsfacing COVID-19.https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/greater_good_guide_to_well_being_during_coronavirus
That Discomfort You're Feeling is GriefHarvard Business Review article that discusses the feeling of grief during times of trauma.https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief?utm_source=pocket-newtab
COVID-19 RESOURCESMental and Emotional Health ContinuedTips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA)https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/tips-social-distancing-quarantine-isolation-031620.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3gbPLB1vuLWClWrFrOC0jZT5BVVPGby62uN8yHSTq4iMHS8e3gpZnEWTA
Working from Home10 Tips for Those Who Have to Work/Study from Homehttps://www.glcyd.org/remote-working-tips-from-a-up-nonprofit-leader/?fbclid=IwAR09qMW-_2O38xL-ZM0SfixbnGnJs4QWTgs6qODEVmZbxQHHhg9rF_eKAOQ
Online Learning21 Study Tips for Online Classes Successhttps://goodcolleges.online/study-tips-for-success/?fbclid=IwAR1e60PzMw16Fy9mSGW2S6honcx5yXFv4Vbtjzl6m5YO49sW7lJIUujPvcQ
Free Fitness Videos:Yoga with Adrienne: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKE7WVJfvaHW5q283SxchA
Fitness Blender: https://www.youtube.com/user/FitnessBlender
PopSugar Fitness: https://www.youtube.com/user/popsugartvfit
ALO Yoga: https://www.youtube.com/c…/UCJEi1foUiGObzzQM3QA2H5A/featured
Meditation:15 Minute Guided Meditation To Find Peace In Uncertain Times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W19PdslW7iw
Calmhttps://www.youtube.com/user/calmdotcom