Recognition highlights important impact school counselors have on students’ lives

LANSING, MICH. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared Feb. 3-7 School Counseling Week in Michigan. The recognition aims to highlight the role school counselors play in students’ lives by helping them explore education and career opportunities beyond high school. Professional school counselors are certified, experienced educators with a master's degree in guidance and counseling. This coincides with National School Counseling Week, declared by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).

“From college admissions applications to navigating the financial aid process, the support that school counselors provide to students is critical to helping to explore and plan for their education options beyond high school,” said Ryan Fewins-Bliss, MCAN executive director.

More than 100,000 school counselors nationwide will be participating in the week's festivities to call attention to the countless benefits of a comprehensive school counseling program.

“I cannot speak more highly of these influential staff members in our school buildings who too often are the first to go when budgets get tighter,” said Fewins-Bliss.

National School Counseling Week is coordinated by the American School Counselor Association, and for 2020 is focused on the theme, “School Counselors: Helping Build Better Humans.” For more information, visit the ASCA’s website.

“National and Michigan School Counseling Week recognize the important efforts and impact of counselors across the state for making a difference in the lives of our students,” said Fewins-Bliss. “They deserve to be recognized.”

ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (MCAN)
As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission to increase Michigan’s college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college-going students and students of color. For the eighth year in a row, Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate has increased — from 35.7% of 25-to-64-year-olds possessing at least an associate degree in 2008, to 41% in 2018. Additionally, it is estimated another 4% of Michiganders have a postsecondary certificate, bringing Michigan’s official 2019 attainment rate to 45%. MCAN’s goal is to increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60% by 2030. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.

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