DeeDee Stakley is Michigan Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (MiCEP) president and
director of Ferris' Office of Transfer and Secondary School Partnerships.Ferris State University will host the annual Michigan Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (MiCEP) Conference on Oct. 9, in the University Center, in Big Rapids. The conference will focus on best practices related to concurrent and dual enrollment, the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnership (NACEP) standards, and research that is relevant to college-in-high-school programs.
“The MiCEP Conference is the best place for secondary and postsecondary educators to learn about concurrent and dual enrollment best practices and research, among other topics,” said DeeDee Stakley, MiCEP president and director of Ferris’ Office of Transfer and Secondary School Partnerships. “Attendees will have an opportunity to network with other dual and concurrent enrollment professionals from Michigan.”
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from three keynote speakers and attend breakout sessions. Conference attendees will be the first to hear an exciting announcement from MiCEP and the Michigan College Access Network regarding future partnership opportunities.
Patrick Cannon, the president of the NACEP Board of Directors, is the opening speaker. Cannon has been involved in concurrent for 25 years. He also serves as the associate director of the Advance College Project at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Cannon has been a NACEP Member-at-Large, as a member of the NACEP Government Relations Committee and as a NACEP State and Regional Affiliate Council Member.
Brandy Johnson, the current policy advisor for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development Office, will provide a policy briefing for attendees. Johnson is a long-time advocate for college access and served as the Executive Director for the Michigan College Access Network for eight years.
Ryan Fewins-Bliss, the interim executive director of the Michigan College Access Network, will speak about the organization’s current statewide initiatives pertaining to the Governor’s goal of 60 percent college degree attainment for Michigan residents by 2030.
“We are honored to have Patrick, Ryan, and Brandy joining us for the conference,” said Stakley. “They are experts regarding college opportunities for high school students and college access.”
About MiCEP
MiCEP is an official state chapter of the NACEP. The purpose of this organization is to support concurrent enrollment programs through the advocacy of quality initiatives that promote student access and completion, program development, professional development, communication and high-quality standards.
Key focus areas include:
- Disseminating the NACEP standards of quality concurrent enrollment programs
- Providing professional development to all interested parties concerning quality concurrent enrollment programs, including discussions for best practices and challenges
- Serving as a state advocate for concurrent enrollment
- Fostering strong partnerships between postsecondary and secondary institutions
- Advocate and educate for concurrent enrollment with stakeholders and legislators