Alpena, Michigan, September 24, 2025

News Summary

Alpena High School and ACES Academy are set to welcome Christi Schultz as their new college adviser, coming at a time of significant funding cuts impacting the Advise MI program. Schultz brings valuable experience to guide students through college applications and financial aid processes. The program, crucial for high school seniors, faces challenges due to anticipated AmeriCorps funding reductions that could affect various educational roles across Michigan. The community hopes Schultz’s expertise will help maintain essential college resources amidst these financial constraints.

Alpena, Michigan Welcomes Christi Schultz as College Adviser Amid Funding Cuts

Alpena High School and ACES Academy are poised to welcome Christi Schultz as their new college adviser next week, following an announcement made by Alpena Public Schools in a press release on September 24, 2025. Schultz, an alumna of Alpena High, brings a wealth of experience working with students and their families from her previous tenure as a teacher in the district.

In her new role, Schultz will be instrumental in guiding students through the intricacies of post-high school education. This includes assistance with college applications, financial aid processes, and securing scholarships. The addition of Schultz comes at a critical time, as the Advise MI program, which has been a partner at Alpena High School and ACES Academy for the past ten years, faces significant funding challenges.

The Advise MI program, a Michigan College Access Network initiative, places college advisers in schools to facilitate the smooth transition of students from high school to postsecondary education. However, Michigan is projected to lose approximately $15 million in AmeriCorps funding, which will adversely affect various projects, including college advising roles. The cuts are expected to impact 1,218 positions statewide, which encompass advisers, reading tutors, and companions for seniors.

This funding crisis has significant implications, as the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency has directed AmeriCorps to terminate nearly $400 million in grants, representing 41% of the agency’s overall funding. Consequently, the Michigan College Access Network anticipates over $2 million in funding reductions that will affect its college adviser program, which was initiated in 2015.

Lee Fitzpatrick, the director of communications for Alpena Public Schools, raised concerns regarding the potential impact of losing a college adviser, particularly on high school seniors who heavily rely on these resources during an essential stage in their educational journey. Data indicates that 60.1% of Alpena High School’s class of 2024 pursued college within six months of graduation, surpassing the statewide average of 53.4%. This highlights the importance of having access to college advisers as students navigate their post-high school paths.

Moreover, Hudson County, another partner in the Advise MI program, is facing its own funding challenges due to the AmeriCorps cuts. These financial constraints threaten to undermine programs designed to enhance college readiness and aid in postsecondary transitions for Michigan students. The Advise MI program aims to counteract the declining college enrollment rates in the state, especially in the wake of the pandemic.

The ongoing scarcity of school counselors has further exacerbated the need for dedicated college advisers. Various organizations are calling for immediate action to fill the gaps in college counseling roles across Michigan, as the need for comprehensive support solutions becomes increasingly evident.

Conclusion

As Alpena High School and ACES Academy prepare to welcome Christi Schultz, the community remains hopeful that her expertise will enhance students’ access to vital college resources. However, the looming funding cuts present a challenging landscape for educational programs in Michigan, raising questions about the future of college access initiatives.

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Additional Resources

• The Alpena News: New College Advisor for Alpena High School
• Bridge Michigan: Michigan Loses $15M in Federal AmeriCorps Cuts
• WBKB: Advise MI Program Helps Local Students
• Bridge Michigan: Lack of School Counselors Hobbles Michigan College Enrollment
• Dignity Memorial: Pamela Sornberger Obituary
• Wikipedia: AmeriCorps
• Google Search: College Advising Programs Michigan
• Google Scholar: College Access Programs
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
• Google News: Michigan College Funding Cuts

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