MCEEA 2026 Annual Conference Program

4:00 – 5:30 PM

Conference Check-In

Hotel guaranteed check-in: 5:00 PM

5:30 PM

🎶 Opening Reception

Pavilion Tent (behind The Lodge)

Food, Drinks, Live Music, and more…

8:30 AM

Breakfast

Northwest Territories A & B

9:15 AM

Welcome Remarks

Northwest Territories A & B

9:30 – 10:30 AM

Opening Keynote

Northwest Territories A & B

Opening Keynote Speaker

Jeremy Podany

Founder & CEO, The Career Leadership Collective

Jeremy Podany has worked with over 1,000 colleges and universities on systemic career development needs in higher education. He is the author of The Career Ecosystem Era in Higher Education (2025) and inventor of the National Alumni Career Mobility survey and EMBARK first-destination data service, both acquired by Lightcast in 2023. With nearly 20 years in career services, he helps senior administrators weave career education into the fabric of campus life.

📍 Northwest Territories A & B

10:30 – 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 – 11:45 AM

Breakout Sessions

Student veterans bring unique experiences to academic settings, yet often face challenges transitioning to civilian employment after graduation. This session focuses on skills that help educators and support staff assist student veterans in developing strong cultural competency around the civilian workplace — reducing early attrition and improving long-term employment success.

MARC provides a state-endorsed quality stamp for pre-apprenticeship programs, ensuring students master foundational skills required for Registered Apprenticeship success. By fostering collaboration between educators and employers, MARC builds inclusive, student-centered pathways that provide equitable workforce access for diverse populations, streamlining access to high-wage careers.

Career advisors and employer recruiters play a critical role in shaping how students and families understand education and career options. This session clarifies how colleges and employers can deliver high-demand skilled trades programs. Participants explore workforce and labor market data, examine how mental models influence decision-making, and learn to leverage tools like Roadmap2Opportunity to support informed career pathway conversations.

12:00 – 1:15 PM

🏅 Employer of the Year Award

Established in 1996, this award recognizes the outstanding contributions of an employer organization in promoting and sustaining quality internship/cooperative education programs and career opportunities in the state of Michigan.

🏅 Don Hunt Service Award

First presented in 1992 and named in honor of Don Hunt, Dean Emeritus from the University of Detroit Mercy, in recognition of his 50 years of service in Cooperative Education. This award recognizes a Michigan Co-op and/or Internship community member for significant contributions in promoting and sustaining the cooperative education and internship philosophy in Michigan.

🏅 Career Services Professional Award

Instituted in 2012 to recognize a Career Services Professional who demonstrates initiative for Career Services activities that benefit Michigan, supports MCEEA, encourages employer development in Michigan, and acts as a mentor to Michigan Career Services Professionals. This individual is also involved in associations at the regional or national level.

🏅 New Professional Award

Instituted in 2025 to recognize an individual new to the Career Services profession or new to supporting talent or talent acquisition for employers (1–3 years). This award highlights an individual who embodies the MCEEA mission of companies and colleges partnering for student/employee success through their dedication and impact.

🏅 Innovator Award

Established in 2025 to recognize a MCEEA member, team, or project that has demonstrated initiative by developing or implementing innovative ideas. This award recognizes efforts that enhance partnerships between educational institutions and employers while collaboratively advancing shared goals.

1:15 – 1:30 PM

Break

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

Drawing on insights from the Detroit Regional Postsecondary Student Advisory Fellowship, this session explores how student perspectives can strengthen career readiness across the region. Fellows reflect on professional development experiences, the challenge of balancing academics with career exploration, and the disconnect between classroom learning and workplace expectations. Includes actionable recommendations for improving alignment among students, career services, faculty, and employers.

Adult learners represent Michigan's most stable, experienced talent pool. Learn how the Michigan Center for Adult College Success partners with Muskegon Community College using a three-pronged Awareness, Advocacy, and Connection approach to align adult "Reconnectors" with relevant educational pathways and employer partners, sharing research on Michigan's "Some College, No Degree" population.

Bio Journey is a cross-functional partnership between Oakland University's Biology Department and Career and Life Design Center that integrates career development directly into biology curriculum. Through employer panels, career treks, and discipline-specific workshops, students explore pathways aligned with their degree while building professional networks. This session shares the framework, early outcomes, and a replicable model for other institutions.

2:30 – 3:00 PM

Break with Snacks

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

CMU is developing a grant-funded portfolio of professional development courses designed to align with employer skill needs while creating pathways into academic degrees. Presenters discuss the design framework behind stackable microcredentials, partnerships with industry, and strategies for connecting workforce learning with higher education programs — building scalable talent pipelines that support both employers and learners.

For programs that require internships or co-ops, ensuring every student secures placement is essential. This session explores how career services can leverage Handshake and similar CRMs to improve placement while increasing targeted employer engagement. Learn how self-service strategies help students find updated opportunities without additional advising, and what employers should ask from campus partners.

Students experiencing job search stress often feel stuck or disengaged. This session explores wellness-informed strategies career practitioners can use to support students navigating challenges, examining common sources of burnout, engaging in reflective activities, and discussing practical approaches for helping students regain momentum, confidence, and a sense of control in their career development process.

4:00 – 5:30 PM

🍻 Happy Hour Reception

Crystal Center Back Patio

8:30 AM

Breakfast

Northwest Territories A & B

9:30 – 10:45 AM

Strengthening Michigan's Early Talent Pipeline — Panel Discussion

Northwest Territories A & B

Strengthening Michigan's Early Talent Pipeline

📍 Northwest Territories A & B

Moderator

Amber Neher

Director, Student Success & Postsecondary Partnerships · Detroit Regional Chamber

Ryan Fewins-Bliss

Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network (MCAN)

Ryan leads MCAN's policy work, fund development, and partnership building toward the Sixty by 30 initiative. He brings nearly 20 years of experience across K-12, higher education, and nonprofits, having served MCAN in multiple capacities since its inception in 2010. He holds degrees from Central Michigan University.

Kimberly Way

Chief Experience Officer (CXO), Michigan Works!

Kim champions customer-centric initiatives at Michigan Works!, ensuring members' voices are heard in both strategy and execution. She conducts research on best practices, develops educational materials, and offers technical support to members and state partners. She also plays a key role in planning the Annual Conference and Impact Awards.

Anne Pentiak

State Administrative Manager, Industry Engagement and Sector Strategies

Anne Pentiak is a Michigan State University graduate with extensive experience in higher education administration and workforce development. As Administrative Manager for the Sector Strategies section at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), she leads efforts to strengthen regional, industry-focused approaches to workforce development—widely recognized as one of the most effective strategies for aligning public and private resources to meet employers’ evolving talent needs. Anne is passionate about fostering collaborative, data-driven solutions that drive economic growth and expand opportunities for Michigan’s workforce, building strong partnerships and leveraging insights to create sustainable talent pipelines across key industries.

10:45 – 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

This workshop introduces transformational and strength-based coaching techniques to enhance career coaching effectiveness and student retention. Grounded in ICF core competencies, Self-Determination and Self-Efficacy research, and a design thinking approach, participants explore how coaching — distinct from advising — builds student motivation, confidence, and ownership in career development. Includes role-play practice and one takeaway strategy to implement immediately.

Networking builds contacts — netweaving builds alignment. This interactive session introduces a practical framework for transforming employer engagement into measurable talent outcomes. Participants clarify their workforce "assignment," apply a structured engagement model, and practice a high-impact networking technique that positions them as solution-oriented connectors. Attendees leave with actionable tools to strengthen partnerships and elevate Michigan's talent ecosystem.

Michigan's transportation and infrastructure sectors face critical talent shortages. This session shows how LEO and MDOT are using Employer-Led Collaboratives and the TPM framework to unite industry, education, and workforce partners around shared talent needs. Participants see how real-time labor data, curriculum alignment, and expanded career pathways strengthen pipelines — including Value Asset Mapping tools for sustainable, data-driven regional talent ecosystems.

12:00 – 1:00 PM

🎉 Lunch & Closing Ceremony

Northwest Territories A & B

MCEEA 2026
Annual Conference

Welcome

Conference Schedule

Monday, June 15

Tuesday, June 16

Wednesday, June 17

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

Crystal Mountain