Meet our Specialist of the Month winner for November, Sam Frizzell, a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) out-of-school specialist from Upper Peninsula Michigan Works! serving Delta, Dickinson, and Menominee counties. Sam has been making a huge impact in the lives of the youth she serves. We asked several questions so you can get to know Sam better:
What inspired you to become a JMG Specialist?
Before I was a JMG specialist, I was working as an employment specialist at Michigan Works. I kept seeing participants coming in with so many barriers, especially people just out of jail. It really struck me, so I did a little poll on Facebook, asking people what it was like when they were released. The responses were shocking—everyone basically said, ‘You’re released, handed your stuff, and then it’s up to you to figure it all out.’
So, I went to my manager to talk about it, and it turned out he was already working with JMG. I started working part-time on what we call the ‘New Chance’ program—basically JMG inside the jail.
What motivates you most in your role?
The students 100% are what motivate me. This also connects to one of the other questions about the biggest challenges I see with them—and why I’m so passionate about being a specialist. There’s such a need with Gen Z students, especially at one of the schools where I work, which is an alternative school. Unfortunately, there’s a stigma around it. People hear 'alternative school' and assume the students must be 'bad' kids or somehow failures.
My goal is to help them see past that, to give them the confidence to speak up for themselves and embrace the leaders they already are. Once they start believing in themselves and showing that confidence, that’s what truly inspires me. Seeing them realize they can create positive change in their own lives, with just a little help, is what drives me every day.
Can you share a favorite memory from your time as a specialist?
One of my favorite memories as a specialist is working with my first jail participant and witnessing his growth over six months in our program. Although he was later sentenced unexpectedly, I saw his confidence and mindset transform. The day he was released, he called me just an hour after getting home and wanted to set up an appointment right away. Knowing I had such a positive impact on his life is incredibly motivating. I’m so proud of him - after not speaking to him for over six months, the first thing he did after returning home was reach out to restart his journey with our support. That was a pivotal moment for me.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing youth today, and how does JMG help address it?
I believe one of the biggest barriers for these younger generations is that they’re curious and innovative, but they’re often seen as challenging or argumentative. There’s a lot of talk about how Gen Z is often labeled as lazy, lacking work ethic and drive, and being disrespectful. This isn’t the case—they’re just different. They’ve grown up with technology at their fingertips, which can be a challenge for those of us who still hold onto more traditional values.
In our area, one of the major challenges is transportation. Many students don’t have their driver’s licenses, which can be expensive to obtain, especially for high school students. Even if they do have a permit, they might not have access to a vehicle since many families only have one car.
Why do you think JMG is so important for today’s youth?
JMG is so important for today's youth. I didn’t have guidance in high school. I got by as an athlete but struggled academically. I thought about joining the military, but after 9/11, my parents urged me not to. I had no idea what to do next and didn’t remember any career exploration. I considered teaching because it seemed safe, but I wasn’t interested in teaching.
I went to college because everyone else did, but I flunked out. Now, at 37, I’m going back to school for Human Services. I didn’t even know what Human Services was until a few years ago! I’ve always liked helping people, but it would have been great to have someone in high school show me all the options available beyond traditional roles.
After completing my associate's degree, I was a single mom living in poverty. I could have used programs to help pay for my education, but I didn’t know about them. That drives my passion for making sure others know about available resources. If students receive the right support, it can benefit them and the community, breaking cycles of poverty.
I remember being 19 at Ferris State, ending up with $35,000 in student debt and no degree, working full-time at McDonald's. It would have helped to have someone say, 'You want to help people? Let’s explore your options.' Programs like JMG need to be in every school.
What are your hobbies? Do you have any pets, or fun facts you’d like to share?
I'm very family-oriented, so anything I can do with my family, I'm all for it! We love exploring the outdoors, and I enjoy gardening—just give me some plants! In our household, we have five humans: my husband and me, plus our four children. We also have two dogs and three cats.
Fun fact: I like to share this with my students. Between my husband and I, we have four children. Their names are Jonah, Jude, and Lucy. I know I only mentioned three names for four kids! We have two sons named Jude.
Nominations are open to ALL, including our youth and employer partners! If you know a phenomenal specialist, we encourage you to nominate them as our December Specialist of the month.
Nominate a specialist who deserves to be recognized, here.
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