Rayme Martineau, educational consultant for the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency, has been chosen to be part of the School Counselors Fellows Program. The program will provide ongoing mentorship and training focusing on leadership and advocacy development for a select group of school counselors. (Photo courtesy of Rayme Martineau)

MARQUETTE —  Michigan College Access Network is partnering with San Diego State University’s Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment to launch the School Counselor Fellows Program.

The two-year program will provide ongoing mentorship and training.

One of the chosen counselors is from the Upper Peninsula: Rayme Martineau, educational consultant for the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency.

“I applied to be a part of the School Counselors Fellows Program, not only so I can grow as a professional, but so I can better support and guide our guidance counselors across the U.P. on the important local, statewide and societal issues that they face within their position,” Martineau said in an email. “I am honored to be one of 13 guidance counselors across Michigan in the first fellows cohort.”

According to the program description, MCAN understands school counselors are well positioned to take a leadership role within their community as they inform and guide the postsecondary trajectories of their students.

This program will provide counselors with an opportunity to share ideas, pose questions, digest evidence-based research, review school and district policies, and discuss interventions that support college and career readiness in postsecondary planning.

The school counselor fellowship will focus on urgent and timely issues impacting school counselor practice. Fellows will investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and wellness, and equity driven practices influence college and career readiness and postsecondary planning.

Action-oriented plans will be developed to increase practices that best support students as they navigate their postsecondary path in an “erratic and changing” environment.

Fellows will receive professional development, supervision and training in embracing equity-driven leadership and advocacy development. They agree to a two-year fellowship commitment, with the second year being a mentor to new fellows; attend monthly school counselor fellow meetings via Zoom; and complete monthly assignments, readings and reflections.

“School counselors are key building leaders within their district and their community as they guide the postsecondary decision-making of their students,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director, in a news release. “We’re excited to lift up their work and empower them to help build the college access field for themselves and their peers through our partnership with the Center for Equity and Postsecondary Attainment.

“We believe this program is the first fellowship for school counselors focusing on postsecondary attainment and will become a national model for replication.”

MCAN said its main goal is to increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate by 60% by 2030.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500 ext. 250. Her email is cbleck@miningjournal.net.