Michigan Pre-College Youth Outreach Leadership & Program Excellence Award Recipient Announcement
The Michigan Pre-College & Youth Outreach Conference (MI PCC) is pleased to announce Kelly Schultz, Ph.D., director of the Academically Talented youth Program (ATYP) in the Office of Pre-College Programming at Western Michigan University (WMU), has been named the inaugural recipient of the Michigan Pre-College Youth Outreach Leadership and Program Excellence Award. This award recognizes a practitioner who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, initiative, and operational excellence, significantly contributing to the success of their program.
Schultz has served as the director of ATYP since 2012, first as an instructor followed by a coordinator role. She has dedicated her career to advancing the field of gifted education in the State of Michigan as a board member and past president of the Michigan Association for Gifted Children.
Schultz is recognized for leading ATYP through financial uncertainties resulting in a stable funding model; providing an equitable and collaboratively based gifted education opportunity for students from more than 10 counties; collaborating with colleagues from WMU and across the state to serve the pre-college model; and increasing innovation of program access, delivery, and diversity.
In her nomination letter, colleagues noted Schultz’s enthusiasm and commitment to strengthening pre-college programs. “Dr. Kelly Schultz is everything you would want a pre-college leader to be. She is highly dedicated to the program, its participants, the university, and the broader community, and very passionate about meeting the needs of students who are frequently ignored or underserved. She recognizes that when students are challenged and inspired, they go on to great success, and she is determined to make that happen for each and every ATYP participant.”
Schultz was presented with the award during the Michigan Pre-College and Youth Outreach Conference held on Michigan State University’s campus on Tuesday, October 28.