Maggie Bacon is the Coordinator of the BEST (Building Educational Success & Training) Benzie County Cradle-to-Career Educational Network.
The mission of BEST Benzie County is to create and support a culture in Benzie County that reduces barriers and improves access to early childhood and post-secondary education for all residents--including children, students and families, and adult learners. The organization uses the term"college" to refer to the attainment of any education beyond high school. BEST believes that post-secondary education is not only a possibility but a necessity in today's knowledge-based economy.
BEST also views post-secondary education as a public good--critical to a just and equitable society, strong economy, thriving democracy and healthy communities. MCAN (Michigan College Access Network) has set a goal of having 60% of Michigan residents with degrees or post-secondary certificates by 2030.
BEST seeks to meet this high standard in Benzie County by coordinating available programs and resources in the community as opposed to creating new programs and services. Thus BEST seeks to leverage new resources rather than diffusing current resources. The initial work of BEST was focused on:
- Compiling an Asset Map
- Creating a Community Report Card
- Creating a Common Agenda
- Identifying priority ares for action planning.
Accomplishments to date are impressive:
- Implementation Grant from MCAN
- College Advisor (Manny Lamarche) at both Benzie County High Schools
- County-wide FAFSA night
- College Weekend with local businesses
- Promotion of Future for Frontliners Program
- Completion Coach at NMC
Maggie says there is still lots of work ahead:
- Website
- Email blast
- Career Fair (when COVID ends)
- Supporting Sunrise Rotary with College Visits
- Project Reconnect
- Summer Sizzle
The Q&A included an informative discussion of school districts as affecting the cost of post-secondary education. A copy of Maggie's PowerPoint presentation is available here.