September 24, 2025

Christi Schultz Joins Alpena High School as College Adviser

News Summary

Alpena High School and ACES Academy are set to welcome Christi Schultz as the new college adviser, a critical role supported by the Michigan College Access Network. This appointment comes at a time of significant funding challenges for education in Michigan. Schultz’s experience will aid students in navigating post-secondary options, which is vital amid recent funding cuts affecting college adviser positions statewide. The Advise MI program, a collaboration for over a decade, faces uncertainties due to anticipated losses in AmeriCorps funding, which threaten essential resources for students seeking higher education.

Alpena, Michigan – Starting next week, Alpena High School and ACES Academy will welcome Christi Schultz as their new college adviser, a position supported by the Michigan College Access Network’s Advise MI program. The announcement, made by Alpena Public Schools on September 24, 2025, comes during a challenging period for education funding in Michigan.

Schultz brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously worked with students and families at Alpena High School. As a college adviser, she will assist students in navigating post-high school training and education options, including college applications, financial aid, and scholarships. This is particularly important as the need for guidance in transitioning to higher education becomes critical amidst recent funding cuts that threaten such resources.

The Advise MI program has been a longstanding partnership between Alpena High School and ACES Academy for the past 10 years. The initiative aims to place college advisers in schools to facilitate the transition from high school to postsecondary education. However, the program faces uncertainty due to significant funding reductions on a broader scale.

Michigan is projected to lose approximately $15 million in AmeriCorps funding, which is set to impact various projects, including those linked to the Advise MI program. This reduction will affect 1,218 positions statewide, including roles critical for student support, such as advisers, reading tutors, and companions for seniors. The cuts stem from directions given by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, which has ordered AmeriCorps to terminate nearly $400 million in grants—representing 41% of its overall budget.

Consequently, the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) is bracing for a hit of over $2 million in funding, threatening its college adviser program that started in 2015. Lee Fitzpatrick, the director of communications for Alpena Public Schools, has voiced concerns about the potential loss of college adviser positions during a critical time for high school seniors who require access to college resources.

Data indicates that access to college advisers directly correlates with students’ decisions to pursue higher education. Statistics show that during the graduating class of 2024, 60.1% of Alpena High School students sought higher education within six months of graduation, outperforming the statewide average of 53.4%. This highlights the vital role that adviser support plays in enhancing college enrollment rates, especially against the backdrop of declining enrollment figures in Michigan post-pandemic.

The challenges are not unique to Alpena High School and ACES Academy; Hudson County, also a participant in the Advise MI program, is struggling due to the same funding challenges. The loss of AmeriCorps funding is set to jeopardize programs focused on improving college readiness and facilitating postsecondary transitions for high school graduates across the state.

The ongoing crisis regarding the availability of school counselors has been exacerbated by recent developments, prompting organizations to call for immediate action to address the shortage of college advisers. With the Advise MI program aiming to support students amid these challenges, the addition of Christi Schultz marks a continued commitment to assisting high school seniors as they navigate the intricate pathways to higher education.

In conclusion, while the announcement of Christi Schultz’s return as a college adviser brings hope and support to students at Alpena High School and ACES Academy, the overarching funding cuts pose significant risks to similar programs across Michigan. As the education landscape changes, the need for effective college advising becomes ever more urgent, underscoring the importance of continued investment in such services.

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Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER

NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.

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