News Summary
Christi Schultz will return to Alpena High School and ACES Academy as a college adviser under the Advise MI program. Her role aims to assist students with post-high school education options amidst looming funding cuts to AmeriCorps that threaten vital educational support services. The program has significantly improved college readiness in the area, with 60.1% of the class of 2024 pursuing higher education. However, projected funding reductions could impact the availability of essential college advising and resources for students in Michigan.
Alpena, Michigan – Christi Schultz is set to return to Alpena High School and ACES Academy next week as a new college adviser, part of the Michigan College Access Network’s Advise MI program. The announcement, made public by Alpena Public Schools on September 24, 2025, comes amid severe funding cuts to AmeriCorps that threaten educational support services throughout the state.
Schultz brings a wealth of experience in supporting students and families from her previous tenure as a teacher at Alpena High School. In her new role, she will assist students in exploring various post-high school training and educational options, including navigating college applications, securing financial aid, and applying for scholarships. This support is especially vital as students prepare for their future after high school.
The Advise MI program, which has been operational for a decade in partnership with Alpena High School and ACES Academy, is designed to place college advisers in schools, helping students transition from high school to further education. Nevertheless, the program faces significant challenges due to anticipated cuts in federal funding. Michigan is expected to lose approximately $15 million in AmeriCorps funding, which will directly impact college adviser positions and other critical educational initiatives.
Statewide, the AmeriCorps cuts will result in the loss of 1,218 positions, which include roles such as college advisers, reading tutors, and companions for seniors. The US Department of Government Efficiency has mandated AmeriCorps to terminate nearly $400 million in grants, equating to 41% of the agency’s budget.
The Michigan College Access Network is anticipating over $2 million in funding reductions, which will jeopardize its college adviser program that was established in 2015. The loss of college advisers, such as those in Alpena, could create significant barriers for high school seniors who are currently seeking access to college resources during a crucial decision-making period in their education.
Despite the looming financial challenges, recent data reveals that 60.1% of Alpena High School’s class of 2024 pursued college within six months post-graduation, outperforming the state average of 53.4%. This statistic highlights the importance of college adviser roles in enhancing college readiness among students.
The adverse effects of the AmeriCorps funding cuts extend beyond Alpena, affecting partners like Hudson County, who face their own substantial funding challenges. If these cuts persist, there is a risk that programs designed to boost college readiness and assist in postsecondary transitions could become severely crippled throughout Michigan.
The Advise MI program aims to equip students with the resources and guidance they need amidst growing concerns about declining college enrollment rates in Michigan, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ongoing crisis related to the availability of school counselors has worsened the situation, prompting various organizations to call for action to fill the gaps in college advising roles.
As Christina Schultz prepares to step into her new role, the local education community remains hopeful that her expertise can help mitigate the impacts of funding cuts and continue to support students in their aspirations for higher education.
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Additional Resources
- The Alpena News: New College Advisor for Alpena High School
- Bridge Michigan: Michigan Loses $15M in Federal AmeriCorps Cuts
- WBKB: Advise MI Program Helps Local Students
- Bridge Michigan: Lack of School Counselors Hobbles Michigan College Enrollment
- Dignity Memorial: Pamela Sornberger Obituary
- Wikipedia: AmeriCorps
- Google Search: College Advising Programs Michigan
- Google Scholar: College Access Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
- Google News: Michigan College Funding Cuts
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