Pre-College Youth and Outreach Conference 2026

Transitioning from high school to a university campus requires a major shift in personal behavior, self-reliance, and environmental familiarity—skills that cannot be measured by a test score or taught in a traditional classroom. This 45-minute lecture explores how summer programming, including immersive in-state and out-of-state college tours, serve as a literal "rehearsal space" for high school students. Attendees will learn how to design summer frameworks where students don't just hear about college, but actively practice navigating it: managing their independence, interacting with university leadership, and adapting to diverse campus cultures.

Speaker Information: Michelle L. Reaves

Michelle L. Reaves serves as the Executive Director of the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP). She is the chief architect of DAPCEP's major initiatives and has more than 20 years of experience providing enrichment opportunities for students underrepresented in STEM fields, supporting 17,000 students and more than 75,000 alumni. Before DAPCEP, she was the Assistant Director of the Pre-College and Outreach programs at the College of Engineering at Wayne State University (WSU). Michelle earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Western Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Michelle facilitates DAPCEP's long-range strategic plan and national expansion efforts, including rolling out the first out-of-state program with Bradley University and Peoria, IL School District. Michelle is an active board member on the MI STEM Council and the DEGC (Detroit Economic Growth Corporation), and is a member of the Great Lakes (MI) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, as well as several boards and auxiliaries at her church.
 

1. O*NET Interest Profiler (https://onetinterestprofiler.org/) assessment tool that will address activities a student enjoys, matching work interests and careers related to a tailored work profile.  
2. NACE competencies nace-career-readiness-competencies-december-2025.pdf Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management
3. Encouraging leadership and skill building opportunities by exploring industry by networking, job shadowing and other experiential learning opportunities.

1. Continue networking and building references 
2. Joining high school club 
3. Exploring community engagement through volunteering, part-time job or community event involvement
4. Taking college tours in admissions, ask questions or even meet with academic staff
5. Research college websites and research majors, financial aid, scholarships and career services (Academic Advising and Career Service departments are available to prospective students)

1. Research ONET Online O*NET OnLine https://www.onetonline.org/ for deep dive on ONET interest profiler and careers of interest (familiarize yourself with job tasks and activities, training and credentials, education, employment trends)
2. Create a resume and linked in account
3. Build personal brand and network further on Linked In or attending Network Events while continuing to explore job shadowing and experiential learning opportunities.  
4. Outline stages of career plan completed and to do items.

Melinda is a University Counselor II- Career Specialist within Wayne State University Career Services Department.  With over 12 years experience in higher education, she holds Master's degrees in both Elementary Education and Public Administration as well as a Bachelor's degree in Advertising. A proud Michigan State University alumnus, as a student she was nominated twice for both the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory and First-Generation Committees and awarded grants through MIACADA, NACADA and NACE.   She has worked as an elementary school teacher, grant writer, career counselor, academic advisor and academic coordinator and ultimately enjoys helping students navigate career paths and future plans. 
 

College readiness frameworks emphasize the importance of both cognitive and non-cognitive strategies as integral to college preparation journey. While academic performance in courses and on standardized test and course rigor, are critical to the college preparation and application process, the skills and habits gained along the way are also important to college matriculation and success. Using a college readiness framework which highlights four facets of college readiness, this session plans to demonstrate how the Wolverine Pathways program implements strategies and programming that supports our scholars development beyond academics.

Speaker Information: Adrienne Hill

Melinda is a University Counselor II- Career Specialist within Wayne State University Career Services Department.  With over 12 years experience in higher education, she holds Master's degrees in both Elementary Education and Public Administration as well as a Bachelor's degree in Advertising. A proud Michigan State University alumnus, as a student she was nominated twice for both the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory and First-Generation Committees and awarded grants through MIACADA, NACADA and NACE.   She has worked as an elementary school teacher, grant writer, career counselor, academic advisor and academic coordinator and ultimately enjoys helping students navigate career paths and future plans. 
 

In this session, participants will examine the adult work required to create spaces where young people can meaningfully step into leadership. Drawing on experiences from a restorative justice peer mediation program in a Detroit high school, we will explore how adult facilitation, relational practices, and intentional decision-making shape whether youth leadership is genuinely realized or remains aspirational. Together, we will surface common tensions that arise when adults aim to share power with youth and consider the everyday moves that either support or constrain young people’s ability to lead. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to align their interactions, expectations, and facilitation strategies with their goals for developing youth leaders.

Speaker Information: Dr. Alaina Jackson

Dr. Alaina Jackson is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan's Marsal Family School of Education, where she is a teacher educator and researcher. Her work examines the complex interconnections of race, racism, and gender in shaping the academic and life experiences of Black girls and women, with a broader focus on the health and well-being of Black students in underserved contexts. Dr. Jackson is also the co-founder and director of The REACH Center, a school-based restorative justice center committed to advancing restorative justice and holistic youth development through community-centered programming. Through REACH, she partners with young people to co-create restorative spaces where they develop as leaders and changemakers. REACH's programming includes peer mediation, intergenerational mentoring, youth-led research, and creative arts initiatives. Dr. Jackson earned her B.A. in Rhetoric, Narrative and Image from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy, and a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from the University of Michigan.
 

This session introduces the Global Youth Connection Program, a new collaborative initiative led by Michigan State University’s Center for Global Learning and Innovation in partnership with the Alliance for African Partnership, African Studies Center, and the College of Education. The program connects secondary school educators from Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe with educators in Michigan, USA, to co-create virtual exchange experiences for high school students.

Participants in this session will learn about the design and implementation of this pilot initiative, including educator recruitment, international partnership building, COIL pedagogy training, collaborative curriculum development, and strategies for supporting equitable participation across diverse educational contexts. The session will also explore how virtual exchange can increase global competencies, intercultural understanding, and international collaboration opportunities for both educators and students.

Attendees will gain practical insights into launching and sustaining virtual exchange partnerships in secondary education settings, particularly in contexts with varying levels of technological access and institutional support.

Speaker Information: Luna Le

Dr. Luna Lu serves as the Senior Innovation Officer at the Center for Global Learning and Innovation at Michigan State University. In this role, Luna is dedicated to building inclusive, cross-cultural platforms that empower young people to address complex global challenges through innovation and collaboration. Luna is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to design and lead solutions with real-world impact. By equipping youth with the resources, mentorship, and global connections they need, she aims to inspire a generation of changemakers committed to shaping a more equitable and innovative future.
 

Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education faster than many institutions can meaningfully process, discuss, or respond to it. Based on my upcoming self-published book, The Higher Ed AI Field Guide: Real Workflows for Real People (releasing July 26), this session offers a deeply human-centered perspective on AI rooted not in polished institutional narratives or slow-moving research cycles, but in lived experience. Written between March and June 2026, the book emerged from my overlapping experiences as an early AI adopter (November 2022), higher education staff member, PhD student studying AI in educational psychology and educational technology, trainer facilitating AI conversations and strategies across Michigan colleges, community colleges, and K-12 communities, and an everyday user navigating the realities of AI in work and learning spaces.

This session explores the tensions, questions, observations, and practical realities that emerged from those experiences, including the good, bad, and uncomfortable aspects of AI integration in higher education. Rather than presenting AI as a replacement for human expertise, this talk emphasizes approaches that amplify human strengths, encourage collaborative reflection, and build communities of practice grounded in trust, critical thinking, and shared humanity. Participants will engage with practical workflows, reflective activities, and conversation-based frameworks designed to help institutions move beyond fear or hype toward more intentional and human-centered AI cultures.

Speaker Information: Marissa Taylor

The Pontiac Promise Zone (PPZ) recognizes that removing financial barriers alone does not ensure college success. Students must be equipped with the interpersonal, executive functioning, and real-world skills necessary to persist and thrive.

This engaging workshop introduces a holistic, research-informed framework that integrates academic readiness with leadership development, social-emotional learning, and career exposure. Participants will explore how PPZ operationalizes these strategies through coaching, partnerships, and experiential learning. Attendees will leave with a practical, adaptable model to strengthen their own pre-college and youth outreach programs, moving from access to true student success.

Speaker Information: Dr. Chastity D. Gaither and Coco Moulder

Dr. Chastity Gaither is an educator, educational consultant, executive leader, speaker, and certified coach with more than two decades of experience advancing higher education, leadership development, and community engagement. She partners with educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to strengthen organizational capacity, improve student success initiatives, develop strategic programs, and implement sustainable systems that drive measurable impact.
Dr. Gaither holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education from Michigan State University. She also earned a Master of Science in Higher Education from Drexel University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Management Information Systems, and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing. A lifelong learner, she has further expanded her expertise through professional development at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and earned a Certificate in Online College Teaching from Michigan State University.

Throughout her career, Dr. Gaither has served in executive leadership roles across higher education and nonprofit organizations, leading initiatives focused on student success, organizational effectiveness, workforce development, and educational equity. She has taught undergraduate and graduate students as an adjunct faculty member at multiple institutions and presented nationally and internationally on leadership, communication, organizational development, women's empowerment, and student development.

Known for her engaging teaching style and solutions-oriented approach, Dr. Gaither equips educational institutions and organizations with practical strategies that transform ideas into action. Her work is grounded in a commitment to expanding educational access, fostering leadership excellence, and building systems that empower individuals, strengthen organizations, and create lasting community impact.

Coco Moulder is a dedicated education advocate and community leader currently serving as the Executive Director of the Pontiac Promise Zone and President of the Michigan Promise Zone Association. With a deep-seated passion for expanding educational access, Coco works tirelessly to eliminate financial and systemic barriers for students living in and graduating from the school district of the city of Pontiac, empowering them to pursue and succeed in post-secondary education.

Throughout her career, Coco has focused on creating impactful development programs, fostering strategic community partnerships, and providing direct mentorship to students navigating their academic journeys alongside her work with Oakland University's Pontiac Initiative for Early Childhood Education. Her work centers on the belief that every student deserves the resources and support necessary to achieve their full potential, regardless of their background.

As a speaker at the PCC 2026 conference, Coco looks forward to sharing actionable insights on community-driven education initiatives, student success strategies, and the transformative power of keeping educational promises to the next generation of leaders.

 

Academic success alone is not enough to prepare students for life beyond school. This session introduces the HERO Framework (Honesty, Energy, Resiliency, Ownership) as a practical approach to developing leadership, emotional intelligence, and real-world readiness in students. Participants will explore how to integrate interpersonal skill-building, student voice, and leadership development into programming that moves students from aspiration to achievement. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to help students build confidence, ownership, and purpose beyond the classroom. With over 10+ years of proven experience with this method, we will show concrete results as to how the HERO method has impacted students for a decade.

Speaker Information: Precil Schwartze

This presentation will discuss how mental health is more than a diagnosis and medication. There are a multitude of factors that influence a person's well-being, including belonging and having a safe space where they feel they can truly be themselves and express their identity. I will discuss my experience working with several different populations and the themes that run throughout all of them, including K-12 students, college students, adults in the prison system, and older adults in senior homes and hospice. We will also discuss ways that professionals can foster safe spaces for students and peers and truly provide them with the supports they need to continue to better themselves and their mental health.

Speaker Information: Shelby Powell

Shelby Powell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker working in higher education to provide K-12 students with resources to support their success in their post-secondary plans. She has a unique perspective on the programs she runs, as she was once a participant herself. Since then, she has had experience working in a range of environments with a wide variety of populations that helps her better understand and serve those she works with today. She is excited to be here with you today to share what she has learned about belonging, identity, and creating safe spaces as it relates to mental health. 

Mindful Wellness: Building Daily Habits That Actually Stick is a 45-minute interactive workshop designed to help professionals reconnect with their own health and well-being through practical, accessible daily habits. Drawing from the philosophy of Kei To Health — a plant-based wellness brand rooted in the belief that small, consistent choices create lasting change — this session bridges the gap between knowing what we should do for ourselves and actually doing it. This workshop meets attendees where they are. It does not require any prior knowledge of wellness or mindfulness practices, and it does not promote a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it offers a real, honest conversation about how professionals can begin to prioritize their mental and physical well-being.

Speaker Information: Keiera Bradley

Keiera "Chef Kei" Bradley is a Detroit-based plant-based chef and wellness educator. She currently works for DPSCD's Exceptional Student Education Department with special emphasis on the Gifted and Talented Education department. Through cooking, storytelling, and community engagement, she helps people rethink what wellness can look like - one that is rooted in nourishment, accessibility, and self-compassion rather than perfection.

A Los Angeles native now serving the Detroit community, Kei is the author of *Plant Based Lovin' Daily* and a former Chef-in-Residence Fellow at BasBlue. She has led nutrition and culinary workshops for schools, nonprofits, universities, and community organizations, creating spaces where food becomes a tool for connection, healing, and empowerment.

Drawing on her own experiences navigating burnout, entrepreneurship, and the pressure to achieve constantly, Kei's work encourages people to slow down and reconnect with themselves. Her approach to mindfulness is practical, approachable, and centered on everyday habits that support mental and physical well-being.

Whether she's preparing meals, teaching a workshop, or speaking to an audience, Kei believes wellness should feel attainable, joyful, and rooted in community. She is passionate about helping others build sustainable practices that honor both their ambitions and their humanity.

The use of toys and games effectively engages your pre-college audience! Not only does it help communicate your message, it also promotes creativity, team-building, problem-solving, collaboration skills, and lasting friendships.

Speaker Information: Zachary Constan

Zach Constan earned his Bachelor's Degree in physics (1995) from Albion College, studied psychoacoustics for his Ph.D. in physics (2002) at Michigan State University, taught college astronomy for three years, and served as a church Youth Director. Now, as FRIB Outreach Coordinator, he gets to tell everyone about the exciting developments in nuclear science at MSU's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.

Pre-college programs are often evaluated based on academic content—but the most lasting impact happens outside the classroom. This session explores the hidden curriculum of pre-college experiences: the development of independence, identity, confidence, and real-world readiness.

Drawing from program design and operations, participants will examine how staffing models, student support structures, and everyday interactions shape student outcomes. From counselor engagement to logistical decisions like housing and transportation, every element contributes to a student’s experience.

Attendees will leave with practical strategies to intentionally design programs that move beyond content delivery and create meaningful, transformative growth for students.

Speaker Information: Jessica Bilodeau, Ed.D.

Jessica Bilodeau serves in a leadership role within Michigan State University's Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, where she oversees and supports innovative pre-college programming designed to prepare students for academic, personal, and professional success. With extensive experience in pre-college education, Jessica has worked to create meaningful opportunities that help students explore their interests, develop leadership skills, build college awareness, and navigate the often unspoken expectations of higher education.

In addition to her work with GATE, Jessica has played a key role in the development and advancement of Michigan State University's Dual Enrollment program, supporting initiatives that expand access to university level coursework and strengthen pathways between secondary education and higher education.

Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University, a Master of Business Administration from Central Michigan University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Michigan State University. Her professional interests center on student access and success, pre-college programming, educational leadership, and making higher education accessible to all students.
 

This interactive workshop explores how to intentionally build reflection and meaning-making opportunities into pre-college programming to deepen student engagement, learning, and personal growth. The workshop will introduce the concept of meaning making, why it matters for student development, and how intentional reflection can help students connect experiences to identity, purpose, and future goals. Facilitators will share practical examples of how meaning-making strategies have been embedded into pre-college programming. Participants will then engage in collaborative small-group discussions based on shared areas of interest to identify challenges within their own programs and develop actionable plans for incorporating meaningful reflection opportunities moving forward.

Speaker Information: Ashley Carmichael

Ashley Carmichael is the Pathway Programs Coordinator at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she designs and leads healthcare career exploration programs for high school students and provides year-round support to program alumni as they pursue careers in medicine and other health professions. With nearly a decade of experience in youth program development, Ashley is passionate about creating educational experiences that prepare students not only academically, but personally, for success.

Drawing on her background in STEM education and youth development programs across the country, Ashley focuses on designing pathway programs that foster social-emotional competencies alongside career exploration. Her work centers on creating meaningful learning experiences that help students build the confidence, relationships, and skills needed to thrive as future healthcare professionals.

From Sorting to Weaving: Reimagining Education Systems explores a powerful question: What if every child graduated believing they had something meaningful to offer the world? This presentation challenges traditional models of education that sort and rank students, and instead invites educators, leaders, and communities to design systems that cultivate belonging, purpose, and human potential. Through a vision grounded in collective action, participants will explore how transformative change can begin in one classroom, one school, and one community at a time.

Speaker Information: Joy Jones

Joy Jones is the Student Recruitment & Outreach Manager for the University of Michigan's Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department, where she develops strategic initiatives that connect prospective students with opportunities to pursue engineering and technology. She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences that help students see themselves as future innovators, leaders, and changemakers.

With a Bachelor of Science in Media Arts & Studies, a minor in Public Relations, and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, Joy brings a unique blend of communications, relationship-building, and strategic leadership to higher education. Her career has centered on student engagement, recruitment, program development, and fostering partnerships that expand access to educational opportunities.

As a first-generation advocate and people-centered leader, Joy believes the most powerful recruitment strategy is building authentic relationships. She is committed to creating welcoming spaces where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to pursue ambitious goals.

Whether engaging prospective students, collaborating with campus partners, or representing one of the nation's leading engineering programs, Joy leads with purpose, empathy, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. Her guiding philosophy is simple: ""Everyone is somebody"", and investing in students today helps shape the leaders who will transform tomorrow.

The transition from high school to a premier business institution like UM Ross requires more than just academic readiness; it requires a fundamental shift in how students perceive the "finish line." The Preparation Initiative (PI) at Michigan Ross demonstrates that while high school provides the foundation, true success is built through a lifelong commitment to learning, community, and professional agility.

This session will explore the PI Model of holistic development, using our Fall 2025 cohort of 30 students as a primary case study. We will demonstrate how our program communicates the joy of learning by moving beyond the classroom to master the hidden curriculum of higher education. From foundational habits like mandatory study tables to professional life-hacks such as email etiquette, Google Calendar mastery, and navigating the housing market, PI ensures students are not just surviving, but thriving.

Key Session Highlights:

The Power of Corporate Storytelling: How hosting teams like L’Oreal Early Careers transforms academic marketing theory into a tangible, exciting career path for our students.

Navigating the Pivot: A look at how our sophomore transfers manage the rigor of their first Ross term while simultaneously building complex recruitment plans.

The Ecosystem of Success: Showcasing how the PI journey extends into the professional world through our Alumni Engagement model, featuring the inaugural PI Homecoming Dinner and our expanded junior-year mentorship pairings (Class of 2027).

Attendees will leave with a blueprint for creating outreach programs that don’t just get students into college, but equip them with the curiosity and community needed to excel in an ever-evolving global economy.

Speaker Information: Lauren Clarkson

Lauren Clarkson serves as the Director of Academic Success and a Business Administration Lecturer at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. With 15 years of experience in the pre-college and student success space, Lauren has dedicated her career to creating pathways for student advancement and fostering supportive educational environments.

In her current role at the Ross School of Business, Lauren designs and oversees a comprehensive portfolio of outreach and student success initiatives. Her work spans the entire student lifecycle, from managing high school pipeline programming that prepares the next generation of business leaders, to coordinating peer academic coaching that helps current students thrive in rigorous coursework. Recognizing the power of community, she also leads the school's peer and alumni mentor programs, connecting students with valuable networks that support their growth during college and beyond.

In addition to her internal student advocacy, Lauren manages key donor and corporate partnerships, aligning external resources with institutional goals to expand opportunities for the student body. As both an administrator and a classroom lecturer, she brings a practical, holistic perspective to student engagement, academic retention, and workforce readiness.

Harper Academy is a summer outreach program designed to introduce high school students to nuclear engineering, radiation science, and STEM career pathways through hands-on and experiential learning at the University of Michigan. The program combines interactive radiation demonstrations, laboratory activities, tours of nuclear-related facilities, guest speakers from academia and industry, community-engaged design activities, and college readiness discussions to help students better understand opportunities in higher education and technical careers in nuclear. This session will provide an overview of the structure of Harper Academy, strategies used to engage students with nuclear science in approachable and meaningful ways, examples of interactive activities, and lessons learned from building student confidence, curiosity, and interest in STEM and nuclear-related fields.

Speaker Information: Jordan Noey

How have rapid technological advancement, cultural shifts, and evolving social environments reshaped the way Generation Z and Generation Alpha learn, communicate, and engage with information? As the first generations to grow up fully immersed in digital ecosystems, these learners bring new expectations, strengths, and challenges in educational spaces. 

What are the key characteristics that influence Gen Z and Alpha learning styles? Educators are called to adapt to learners with shorter attention cycles, visual-first communication, preference for interactive and personalized content, and a strong reliance on technology for problem solving and collaboration. The impact of social media, on-demand information access, and constant connectivity on motivation, focus, and knowledge retention is significant. These times present an opportunity to redesign engagement strategies that better align with how modern learners process information.

There is a growing importance of social-emotional learning, mental health awareness, and inclusive learning environments for these generations who value purpose, collaboration, and psychological safety. Strategies for adapting instruction, interaction, and communication to meet learners where they are will be explored. Education at the speed of change means shifting, aligning, redesigning, and responding to the needs of the up and coming generations.

Speaker Information: Regina George

Former secondary educator and alternative high school principal Dr George has been with Eastern Michigan University for over 25 years recruiting and preparing teachers. As Director of Pathways for Future Educators for the last decade, she manages a State of Michigan Morris Hood Jr Future Educator Grant and serves on many CTE Advisory Boards. Her research has focused on the successful transition to college and the representation of Black men in education.

This interactive session introduces students and educators to the world of live broadcasting through hands-on activities that build confidence, storytelling skills, and media literacy. Participants will learn how to think, speak, and create live broadcaster personas while discovering how these skills translate into leadership, communication, and career pathways.

Speaker Information: Desmond Weems