College & Career Access Center

Welcome back to a new school year! As we begin another exciting year, we are proud to celebrate the start of our 19th year as an organization and our 14th year as an independent nonprofit serving Jackson County.

This past quarter has been defined by collaboration, connection, and momentum. From supporting recent graduates through Summer Melt and engaging younger students in college and career exploration, to launching another school year of advising, workshops, and campus visits, our team has been busy helping Jackson County residents plan for what comes next.

We were also excited to join community partners in announcing Jackson County’s new 40 by 30 postsecondary attainment goal alongside the newly formed Workforce Development Collaborative, led by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. This cross-sector group brings together leaders from business, K–12 education, postsecondary education, government, workforce development, and nonprofit organizations to strengthen our local workforce and increase postsecondary attainment across the county.

Our work with adults continues to grow as well, particularly with the expansion of Michigan Reconnect to eligible adults age 21 and older. This change creates new opportunities for us to reconnect adults with education and training pathways and strengthen the work we are already doing through Alumni Reconnect and community-based outreach.

Throughout the quarter, our team also had opportunities to learn, collaborate, and represent CCAC across the community and state. We participated in the Michigan Manufacturing Workforce Summit, where conversations included the growing role of AI in the workplace, and attended a barrier-removal conference focused on helping students overcome obstacles on the path to earning a degree or credential hosted by MCAN and MiLEAP. We were also proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, attend the Michigan Reconnect press conference, share about the Workforce Development Collaborative at Wake Up Jackson, and present important postsecondary data to local superintendents.

Within our own organization, we also had plenty to celebrate. This quarter, we welcomed new board members and recognized several staff milestones, including Nancy’s 12 years, Brian’s 10 years, and Sam’s first year with the CCAC.

None of this work happens alone. We are grateful for our small but mighty team and for the schools, families, businesses, postsecondary institutions, and community partners who continue to work alongside us. Together, we are creating stronger pathways, expanding opportunity, and helping move the needle on postsecondary attainment throughout Jackson County.

We are excited to share some of the highlights from this past quarter below.

Nancy Peters-Lewis
Executive Director

Graduation may mark the end of high school, but the transition from high school to a student’s next step can be just as important.

This summer, the CCAC supported a Summer Melt caseload of 854 students across all 13 Jackson County school districts, helping recent graduates move from having a postsecondary plan to successfully taking the next steps toward making that plan a reality.

Through phone calls, text messages, and our in-person outreach through our Boots on the Ground strategy, our team successfully connected with 66% of students in the Summer Melt caseload. These conversations allowed us to confirm students’ fall plans and provide support with any outstanding enrollment, financial aid, career, or other transition steps.

For students who were difficult to reach through traditional communication methods, Boots on the Ground allowed our team to meet students and families directly in their homes and communities to provide more personalized support.

These efforts helped ensure that recent graduates had continued access to guidance and assistance during the critical months between high school graduation and their next step.

Summer also gave us the opportunity to continue introducing younger students to college, careers, and future possibilities. This year, the CCAC provided 21 lessons to more than 600 students through partnerships with Isaiah’s Hub, the Jackson YMCA, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and Cascades Elementary.

Students participated in hands-on activities focused on STEM, LEGO robotics, college and career exploration, problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. These experiences are designed to help students begin thinking about their futures at an earlier age while showing them how the skills they are building today can connect to future education and career pathways.

We are grateful to our community partners for continuing to welcome our team into their spaces and create opportunities for students to learn, explore, and have fun throughout the summer. We want to also give a special thank you to the Dream Maker Fund for supporting community initiatives like these and helping make these experiences possible.

Throughout the summer, the CCAC made health and wellness a priority through weekly wellness challenges designed to encourage small, positive habits and a little friendly motivation. Team members were invited to participate in challenges such as meeting a daily step goal, drinking more water, taking movement or stretch breaks, spending time outdoors, practicing gratitude, and reducing screen time outside of work.

We also built in opportunities for creativity and team connection. One of our summer team-building activities included tie-dying CCAC T-shirts together, giving everyone a chance to have fun, be creative, and enjoy time together outside of our usual routines.

We wrapped up the summer with one of our favorite CCAC traditions: our annual Picnic in the Park. The picnic gave our team an opportunity to reflect on a busy summer, celebrate accomplishments, and recognize each team member for the unique contributions they bring to the CCAC.

These moments of wellness, creativity, and celebration helped strengthen our team while giving everyone space to recharge and connect before heading into another busy school year.

The beginning of the school year is all about helping students start thinking intentionally about what comes after high school — and our advisors have been doing that in a variety of ways across Jackson County.

At Western Career Prep, Arlene, delivered workshops focused on helping students explore future pathways and better understand the steps they can begin taking now. She was also recently highlighted by Vandercook Lake Public Schools after speaking with 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students about the many opportunities available to support their futures, including scholarships, financial aid, training programs, the Career Center, internships, TIP, and tuition-free community college options.

At Northwest High School, Jake, connected with students and families during the school’s College Fair, helping share information and resources as students explored postsecondary options.

At Jackson High School, Sam hosted a parent-focused college-going event that included a presentation, panel discussion, and Q&A. Sam and her colleague, Isha, led a strong evening of conversation with families, with great participation and thoughtful questions about preparing for life after high school.

And at Concord High School, Sheila helped support the school’s first FAFSA Night of the year, assisting students and families as they began navigating the financial aid process.

Alongside these special events, our advisors continue to meet with students one-on-one, lead classroom workshops, administer the Senior Profile Survey, and guide seniors through Action Planning as they begin turning ideas into concrete next steps.

These efforts are a great example of what college and career access looks like in practice: meeting students and families where they are, helping them understand their options, and giving them the tools and support to build a plan for what comes next.

In addition to the student-level work happening in schools, Executive Director Nancy Peters-Lewis presented to the Jackson County Superintendents Association this quarter. Her presentation announced our County's new 40 by 30 post-secondary attainment goal, and provided a broader look at where Jackson County currently stands across key areas of postsecondary aspiration, access, affordability, completion, and attainment, while also highlighting key feedback from the 13 school districts and the role of the CCAC’s partnership with local school districts.

Want to explore the data and presentation? Click below.

Last year, 92.2% of students who participated in Juniors Over the Local Circuit said the experience increased their understanding of college, and 93.1% said they would recommend the tour to other students. Those results speak to the value of giving students an opportunity to see postsecondary options firsthand.

This fall, the CCAC launched the 10th season of JOLC! So far this year, juniors from Springport, Hanover-Horton, East Jackson, and Western have visited Jackson College, Spring Arbor University, and Albion College.

For many students, these visits are one of their first opportunities to step onto a college campus, picture themselves in that environment, and begin asking more meaningful questions about what they may want after high school. Seeing different campuses in the same day also helps students compare experiences, learn about programs, and better understand that postsecondary education can look different from one institution to another.

At its core, JOLC is about making college feel more tangible. By giving students the chance to experience local campuses before senior year, we hope they leave with a stronger understanding of their options and a clearer sense of what they may want to explore next.

As we move further into the school year, the CCAC has several opportunities coming up to help students and families take the next steps in their college and career planning.

We kick things off with our Fun Fall FAFSA & College Application Event on Saturday, October 3 from 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. Students and families can join us in person at the Center or virtually through Zoom for help with FAFSA completion, college applications, financial aid questions, postsecondary planning, Michigan Reconnect, and other college and career needs. We will also have free BBQ and giveaways throughout the day.

October is also Michigan College Month, an important time for students to begin submitting applications and exploring their options. Many Michigan colleges offer free applications during the month, and CCAC advisors are available to help students compare schools, complete applications, and stay on track with important deadlines.

Our 2026–2027 Virtual County Workshop Series will also continue throughout the school year. Workshops are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM and cover timely topics related to college and career planning, financial aid, scholarships, applications, and next steps. Attendees are also entered into a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card.

We also encourage families to save the dates for two additional CCAC events later in the year: our Winter Wonderland Scholarship Workshop on December 5 and our Presidents Day FAFSA Event on February 15. Both events will provide additional opportunities for students and families to receive hands-on support with financial aid, scholarships, and postsecondary planning.

These events are designed to make the college and career planning process more accessible, approachable, and supported throughout the year.

This quarter, collaboration across Jackson County continued to grow through the newly formed Workforce Development Collaborative, led by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. The collaborative brings together leaders from business and industry, K–12 education, postsecondary education, workforce development, government, community organizations, and nonprofit partners around shared workforce and education goals.

One of the collaborative’s major priorities is Jackson County’s new 40 by 30 goal, focused on increasing the number of residents who hold a valuable postsecondary credential by 2030. For the CCAC, this work closely aligns with what we do every day: helping residents understand their options, access education and training, navigate barriers, and take meaningful next steps toward their future.

That work has become even more important with the expansion of Michigan Reconnect eligibility to adults age 21 and older. Michigan Reconnect provides eligible Michigan residents who have not yet earned an associate or bachelor’s degree with an opportunity to pursue tuition-free education at a community college or qualifying training program.

The CCAC is helping connect adults with these opportunities through one-on-one advising, assistance with the Michigan Reconnect application, FAFSA and financial aid support, exploration of college and training options, and help developing an education and career action plan.

Our Alumni Reconnect initiative is another important part of that effort. This summer, our team reached out to more than 500 former students to reconnect them with education and training opportunities and remind them that the CCAC remains available to support them. As Michigan Reconnect expands eligibility to adults age 21 and older, we are utilizing this initiative to target former students who have recently turned 21. This gives us an opportunity to reconnect with alumni at a key moment and make sure they know they may now be eligible for a tuition-free pathway through Michigan Reconnect. By reaching out directly, we hope to help more young adults explore whether returning to school, earning a credential, or pursuing additional training could support their long-term career goals.

We are also continuing to bring this support directly into the community through our CCAC Table at the Crossing at Jackson Crossing Mall. These pop-up resource tables give residents a chance to learn about Michigan Reconnect, explore local education and training options, and get help taking the first steps toward returning to school.

Upcoming CCAC Table at the Crossing Dates:

• Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 PM
• Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 PM
• Saturday, December 19, 2026 | 12:00–5:00 PM
• Saturday, January 23, 2027 | 12:00–5:00 PM
• Saturday, February 20, 2027 | 12:00–5:00 PM

Together, these efforts reflect a broader community commitment to strengthening Jackson County’s workforce by making education, training, and career pathways more accessible for residents at every stage of life.

This past quarter, the CCAC had several opportunities to connect with partners, learn from statewide leaders, and represent our work across Jackson County and beyond.

At the River & Rail Reconnect Roadshow, we joined the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the Workforce Development Collaborative, MiWorks, Jackson College, and the MiLEAP - Reconnect Office to help connect residents with information about Michigan Reconnect and opportunities to return to education or training.

Our team also attended the Albion Job Fair, helping strengthen connections between education, training, and employment opportunities available to local residents.

At the Michigan Manufacturing Workforce Summit, conversations focused on the changing workforce landscape and the growing role of artificial intelligence in the workplace. These discussions gave our team an opportunity to learn more about emerging workforce trends and how education and training can continue evolving alongside employer needs.

We also participated in MCAN and MiLEAP’s Barrier Removal Conference, which focused on identifying and addressing the challenges that can prevent students from successfully reaching and completing a degree or credential. These conversations closely align with the CCAC’s work around access, affordability, navigation, and student support.

Closer to home, we were proud to participate in a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and represent the CCAC at the Jackson County Chamber’s Wake Up Jackson event through the Workforce Development Collaborative.

These experiences allowed our team to build relationships, stay connected to important workforce and education conversations, and bring new ideas back to the work we do with students, adults, and families across Jackson County.

Each fall, the CCAC administers the Senior Profile Survey across Jackson County to better understand students’ plans, interests, confidence levels, and support needs as they begin their final year of high school. The survey gives students an opportunity to share what they are considering after graduation, whether they feel confident in their current plan, and where they may need additional guidance. That information helps our advisors tailor one-on-one conversations, classroom workshops, outreach, and resources throughout the school year.

This year, our team worked closely with school partners to increase participation and build a stronger picture of the Class of 2027 across the county. The results help us identify trends in student aspirations and planning while also showing where additional support may be needed around college, career training, financial aid, and next steps.

The Senior Profile Survey is more than a beginning-of-year snapshot — it helps shape how CCAC supports students throughout the year and provides valuable insight into how Jackson County seniors are thinking about their futures. Click below to review the survey responses.

This quarter, we’re excited to share more quotes from students and families who have benefited from our support. From FAFSA completion to career planning, these testimonials reflect the dedication and expertise of our team in guiding students toward their college and career goals.

• “Coming in, I was nervous since I did not exactly know how anyone could help me. However, Arlene helped me with what I needed help with and more! She is so lovely. I got my internship/job shadow problems all figured out.”
• “Brian was extremely helpful with helping me develop a cover letter and a better-looking resume.”

• “[Jake] was very helpful and gave me the information I needed to succeed in applying for a loan, even when I had very limited options.”

• “[Working with Jeremy], I was able to find a school that is practical for me.”
• “Luisa was outstanding with her help today!”
• “Nancy was amazing to work with. She listened to what I had and gave me advice that fit my needs, clued me in on better options, and helped me make a plan. I’m very excited to start this journey, and that’s due to the amazing support.”
• “I came in to get my FAFSA done for the fall semester. Quincie helped me get it done in under 10 minutes. I appreciate her going through the process and explaining the form to me. I always come to the Career Access Center for help, and I always leave happy.”
• “Sam was super helpful and helped me cement my plan a bit more, allowing me to focus on a clear direction and prepare for FAFSA, scholarships, and starting dates.”
• “[Sheila] was helpful through the whole thing, really explained everything, and helped build a plan.”

Your support helps the College and Career Access Center continue providing free, high-quality college and career guidance to students and adults across Jackson County. Donations directly support FAFSA completion, scholarship assistance, college and career exploration, and outreach initiatives that remove barriers and expand opportunity. Together, we can ensure every learner has the resources, guidance, and confidence to take the next step toward their future.

Consider making a gift to support college and career access in our community.

Funding Partners:

13 Connected Community School Career Preparatory Funds • Albion College • Alro Steel Foundation • The A.P. Cook Foundation • The Bill and Vi Sigmund Foundation • Dawn Food Foundation • Dream Maker Fund • Hurst Foundation • Jackson College • Jackson Community Foundation • Jackson County Intermediate School District • John George Jr. Trust • The Lavery Foundation • Michigan College Access Network • Michigan International Speedway • Phil and Pat Willis Foundation • Robert and Rose Glick Foundation • Spring Arbor University

Programming Partners:

Jackson’s 13 Connected Community Schools • Jackson Area Career Center • Jackson Collaborative Network • Jackson Community Foundation • Jackson Housing Commission • JCISD • Jackson Talent Consortium • The Jackson YMCA • LUX Language • Martin Luther King Center • Michigan College Access Network • MIWorks! Southeast • National College Attainment Network • Alro Steel • Dawn Foods • American Tooling • Classic Metal Finishing • Industrial Steel Treating • LeMatic • Lomar Machine • Orbitform • Wardcraft Conveyer • Adrian College • Albion College • Baker College • Eastern Michigan University • Hillsdale College • Jackson College • Spring Arbor University

Bill and Vi Sigmund