Including diverse perspectives is foundational to the Michigan team’s research and advocacy. By connecting with practitioners and leaders of color throughout the state, we learned that many felt like they didn’t have the skills and/or opportunities to be more involved in shaping the policies that impact their students and communities. Often, these professionals feel like the policies that are created without their input insufficiently meet the needs of the populations they serve. To address these misalignments, we created the Leaders of Color fellowship to help them learn and practice policy research, analysis, and advocacy skills.
With the generous support of The Skillman Foundation, this fellowship program provides participants with ongoing professional development with the intention of boosting their long-term engagement in Michigan higher education policymaking. Fellows will also help the Michigan team identify strategies to boost engagement in higher education policymaking among other practitioners, communities, and leaders of color.
Yetunde Abria Smalls
K-12 Partnership Outreach & Student Engagement Coordinator, Lawrence Technological UniversityYetunde is a higher education professional whose work centers on expanding college access, strengthening K–12 and postsecondary partnerships, and creating pathways that help students successfully navigate their educational journeys.
Devon Hall
Dual Enrollment Navigator, Oakland Community CollegeDevon is a Detroit native and education access and partnerships professional with more than a decade of experience helping students and families navigate college systems and access postsecondary opportunities.
Terricina Jackson
Education Liaison & Community Advocate, Families and Children TogetherTerricina is an Education Liaison, community advocate, and systems navigator committed to improving outcomes for children, families, and educators.
Tim Raymond
Human Studies Department Chair, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community CollegeTim's work focuses on student success, Tribal higher education, psychology, human factors, and expanding access to meaningful academic pathways for rural and Indigenous communities.
Jamillya Hardley
Director of the Woodrick Center for Inclusion and Multicultural Affairs, Grand Rapids Community CollegeJamillya is the Director of the Woodrick Center for Inclusion, where she has spent the past five years leading initiatives that advance equity, belonging, and student success for historically underserved populations.
Dr. Courtney B. Morris
Director, TRIO Upward Bound, Eastern Michigan UniversityCourtney is a Detroit native, educator-activist, scholar, and higher education leader committed to expanding educational opportunity and strengthening pathways for students, families, and communities.
