The Michigan Career Education Conference (MICEC) took place from January 26–28, 2025, at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan, bringing together educators, workforce development leaders, and industry professionals to advance career education. Youth Solutions was proud to be well represented, with our Executive Director, Roger Curtis, and an incredible team of six leaders actively participating in sessions and discussions.
Youth Solutions team members Alexandra Packer, Daniel Mathenia, Donna Rummel, Gretchen Panicucci, Kim Bordeau, and Sonya Blanzy led engaging sessions covering key topics, including:
Innovative strategies for career development – Exploring new approaches to preparing youth for future careers.
Integrating careers into the core curriculum – Practical ways to make career readiness an integral part of education.
Driving CTE success – Enhancing CTE opportunities for students.
The impact of Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) – Showcasing the success and expansion of JMG programs statewide.
Additionally, we had the privilege of presenting alongside two of our valued partners: Laura Saline, Youth Solutions Foundations partner and Career and College Readiness Coordinator at Livingston Educational Service Agency, and Nick Smith, JMG specialist from Northview Next. Their insights and expertise enriched our sessions, highlighting collaborative efforts in career readiness and student success.
A moment of pride occurred during the conference when one of our JMG youth, Henry Kubizna, from Lighthouse Academy, took the stage with confidence, humor, and an unforgettable message. Speaking in front of 1,200 attendees, Henry shared how the JMG program and CTE have transformed his life, inspiring everyone in the room. His ability to captivate the crowd was truly remarkable and showcased the power of career-focused education and mentorship.
A major highlight of the conference was the Michigan Department of Education’s rollout of its updated career development model—an initiative that Youth Solutions played a key role in drafting, reinforcing our shared commitment to equipping Michigan's youth for bright futures. The conference provided an incredible opportunity to collaborate, share insights, and advance our mission of ensuring all Michigan youth have access to high-quality, career-focused education.
We invite organizations and individuals passionate about youth development to join us in empowering the next generation. For partnership inquiries, please contact us on our website.
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