MCAC consists of recent University of Michigan graduates who sign on to serve one of our 16 partner high schools. Each brings with them an individualized set of professional skills shaped by their different academic and personal interests during their undergraduate years. Given this wealth of knowledge, the team collaborates across and between disciplines, experiences, and identities as they work every year to inform, engage, and inspire a new cohort of seniors to create an attainable and sustainable path to, through, and beyond college. In this way, our advisers work to consistently strengthen the existing college-going culture in their school through developing rapport with students and families, deepening relationships with community partners, and innovating on the best practices of previous advisers during their tenure in the program.
Danyale Dockery is a college adviser serving the University High School Academy on behalf of the University of Michigan. As a first-generation college student, Danyale’s role is to inspire underrepresented high school students to pursue higher education. Having studied at Michigan State University and Grand Canyon University, Danyale understands the impact of the former and current educational structure in America. Hence, in her role as a college adviser, she not only mentors her students, but also empowers them to navigate the college experience with knowledge and confidence. With a longstanding volunteer history too, it is easy to understand her passion, interest, and investment in advocacy. In her free time, you can find Danyale thumbing through historical documents and spending time with her dog Shiloh.
Gina Dossantos is a first-year college adviser serving at Western International High School in Southwest Detroit. Passionate about lifting up underrepresented stories as well as the people that tell them, she has the privilege of supporting Latinx students by preparing them to be equipped and confident in their post-secondary endeavors. As a recent graduate from Madonna University, Gina brings forth her educational background in English, Spanish, and graphic design when advocating for equal opportunity in underserved communities. When she is off the clock, Gina is most likely in her pottery class, getting lost on a nature trail, or cozying up by her dog in a blanket with coffee and a good book.
Eric Griggs-Hugan serves as a first-year college advisor with the University of Michigan, though it isn’t his first year being an advisor. He’s advised at every level over the last 10 years. Working with an array of students ranging from middle school all the way to undergrad, it has given him the ability to be versatile and flexible to speak the language of the room. Eric has an execution-focused mindset while instilling value in the people he’s leading to go beyond the limitations they have in their mind. His mission for his work centers around being a servant leader, making sure he sets the example of the practices and principles he teaches; with everything he’s obtained over the years, he’s making a system to create better leaders today, for the problems needed tomorrow.
Eric studied at Western Michigan University, obtaining his bachelor’s in public relations with a minor in marketing. He was coached and mentored in the 1% Better Speaker’s Academy for public speaking and is currently studying in an online seminary program.
Jordan Herman is a college and career adviser serving at Jackson High School. As a recent graduate from the University of Michigan, he uses his knowledge of the college-going process and postsecondary options to guide students as they plan their lives after high school. Knowing the barriers they may face, he is driven to support students as they knock them down and reach their educational and life goals. When he is not working with his students, he enjoys settling down with a good book or spending time in the kitchen mastering a new recipe.
Cody Jonaitis is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan and currently serves as a member of the Michigan College Advising Corps in Flint. As a full-time adviser at Flint Southwestern Classical Academy, he promotes a robust and engaging college-going culture with both large-scale programming and individualized, one-on-one support. Through his efficient organizational skills and creative flexibility, he helps to connect students with resources that support their post-secondary goals. When not advocating for college access, Cody might be found hiking national parks, listening to political podcasts, or working on his latest art project.
Becca Kokotovich is a college adviser at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy. She recently graduated from Central Michigan University, where she studied Communication Sciences and Disorders. As someone who is passionate about bringing equity to the education system, she enjoys helping her scholars gain knowledge about the post-secondary process and culture. By helping them research institutions, visit institutions, apply to scholarships, apply for financial aid, and make a decision, she works to provide the information she wishes she had in high school. When she’s not advising, you can find her hiking, reading, or volunteering as a puppy raiser for Leader Dogs for the Blind.
Greta is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan, where she studied international studies and anthropology. At Michigan, Greta was co-president of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan her senior year. She spent this past year advising at J.W. Sexton High School in Lansing, Michigan, where she formed deep connections with the students she served and became a member of the Sexton community. She’s looking forward to experiencing the highs and lows of senior year with a new group of students and affirming the amazingness they already possess. When she’s not advising, Greta is usually listening to music, reading, or playing with her cat, Rylo.
Sam Madery serves as a first-year adviser at Battle Creek Central High School. A recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a BA in Linguistics, he now attends the university’s Marsal Family School of Education as a Master’s student. When he’s not busy studying, Sam is focused on ensuring that his students have the resources necessary to explore their post-secondary options. Through workshops and one-on-one meetings, he helps seniors map out their goals and the pathways to achieving them. Outside of the professional world, Sam enjoys concerts, trying new restaurants, and board sports such as surfing.
Aedin Seck is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan currently serving as a college adviser at Ottawa Hills High School. With a degree in Film and Screenwriting, you can usually find Aedin happily talking about movies. With her students, she enjoys sharing her passion for writing while helping develop their essays and encouraging them to find their unique voice. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, spending time with her two dogs, teaching herself new skills (mastering none), and exploring a newfound love for hiking. In the future, Aedin hopes to be a screenwriter, author, and anything else that sounds like fun.
Alex Shoop is a graduate from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Biology. During his studies, Alex conducted research on Lidocaine with a focus in ionic liquids, founded a dental club, and worked as a dental assistant under a U of M alumnus.
He is currently serving as a second-year college adviser through AmeriCorps with a passion to mitigate inequities in higher education. This service has helped develop his passion for education as a social determinant of health. He recently launched a non-profit organization to foster growth in his own community of Muskegon, MI in both post-secondary education and oral health.
In his free time, as a former collegiate athlete at Ave Maria University, he enjoys staying updated with college football and basketball. Alex has a long affiliation within the Oakridge High School community and was inducted into the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame upon graduation in 2018.
Massimo Vozza is a first-year adviser at Holland High School helping students to plot out and work towards their post-secondary path. Despite graduating with a degree in Computer Science at the University of Michigan, Massimo was dissatisfied with the field of study they ended up pursuing and felt that earlier advising intervention could have empowered them to feel more confident in their post secondary path. Because of this, Massimo aims to help students discover their true passions and programs which fit them best so that they may have a more enriched post-secondary experience. Outside of their role, they enjoy gaming, ranting about the movies they love, and going to the aquarium to try and telepathically communicate with the fish.