Courtesy Photo Representatives from Michigan College Access Network presented Alpena Public Schools officials with a $10,000 grant on Thursday. Pictured above, from left to right, are APS Early College Adviser Lee Fitzpatrick, MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss, APS CTE Director Joyce McCoy, and Matt Poli, APS Executive Director for Human Resources and Labor Relations.

In celebration of its 10th year, Michigan College Access Network on Thursday awarded a $10,000 grant to Alpena Public Schools in support of college access and postsecondary attainment. This grant is one of 10 grants MCAN is awarding in a 10-day period in connection with its 10th year as part of its “10-10-10 Birthday Tour.” MCAN has helped Michigan’s postsecondary attainment rate increase for the 10th consecutive year, from 35.6% to 45.5%.

On Thursday, leaders of Alpena Public Schools were surprised by an orchestrated visit from members of the MCAN team to present the “larger-than-life” $10,000 ceremonial check.

Alpena Public Schools, in partnership with their community, teaches and challenges all students to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.

“Alpena Public Schools has been engaged in college access and success work for years after realizing that they were the farthest community from a four-year college in the state, which means more effort is necessary to help their students,” MCAN Executive Director Ryan Fewins-Bliss stated. “Working across sectors, they have built an incredible portfolio of programs to help their students achieve their postsecondary dreams — whatever they are. Having grown up in Northern Michigan myself, I know it’s really easy not to go to college after high school, which makes the work APS is doing even more important.”

As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN works to improve the futures of Michigan’s students and communities by making college accessible to all. MCAN’s work centers on one main goal: To increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.