Cyekeia Lee’s Bio
Cyekeia Lee is the Executive Director of the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN), supporting college access for over 50 high schools in Detroit.
She has dedicated her career to expanding postsecondary pathways, previously leading initiatives at The Kalamazoo Promise and the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY).
Recognized for her leadership, Lee is A Black Executive Director Alliance of Detroit Fellow, a Kresge Foundation Thrive Leader, and a White House honoree for volunteer service.
She serves on the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Policy Council, is a board member for Swipe Out Hunger, and holds degrees from Eastern Michigan and Wayne State University.
Our guest for this episode of College & Career Readiness Radio is Cyekeia Lee.
Cyekeia starts by explaining the work she does in 58 high schools with the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN). She wants to ensure that “despite zip codes, students get what they need.”
DCAN does professional learning with school counselors so that they’re aware of opportunities for access to college and universities for their students.
Cyekeia emphasizes the fact that school counselors are often pressed for time and their focus is not always on college and career readiness, which is why DCAN is working to equip them with the tips and tools to maximize their effectiveness.
Cyekeia talked about FAFSA completion and students’ sense of the purpose of college. DCAN has goals around FAFSA completion in Detroit, and you can’t miss the strategies that they’re using to connect with the communities. Listen to what she says about the FAFSA Blitz.
She mentions some of the barriers to FAFSA completion and what they’re doing to try to overcome them.
Cyekeia discusses policy implications in terms of what they’re intending to do and some of the hurdles in place to achieving better outcomes.
She calls for more policies that bring the counselor to student ratios down and that the ownership of college and career readiness can’t just be on the school counselor.
Cyekeia talks about ways in which students can access funding beyond the FAFSA to support college attainment in an affordable fashion. Students should be looking for every dollar possible.
She says that the work of DCAN, and even the schools, wouldn’t work without strong community ties and community engagement at every level.
Don’t miss what she says about Graduate 313 and college students around the nation who are champions in this effort to get more students to access postsecondary education.
She mentions the many resources for schools and parents at the National College Access Network website.
Cyekeia ends by telling listeners that college access is easier than you think. We need to communicate a new message to students that everyone can go to college and there are avenues to make it possible for all students.
If you want to learn about a technology platform that solves a ton of the problems that Cyekeia talks about in the show, book a demo with MaiaLearning.com.
Book a time to discuss college and career readiness with the host of the show, Dr. T.J. Vari.
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