About Engage @ EMU
Engage@EMU is the University’s outward facing office charged with cultivating relationships and initiating and/or coordinating community and business partnerships and programs.
Engage is organized in three areas: Business, Academic and Community.
Specifically, Engage houses Professional Programs and Training, Academic Service-Learning, Camps, the EMU Testing Center and Eastern Scholars alongside large scale Community Programs such as the Legal Resource Center, EMU Bright Futures, The Family Empowerment Program and SEMIS.
The department presented updates to the EMU Board of Regents.
Engage Staff
Jessica ‘Decky’ Alexander, Professor and Director, Academic Engagement Programs
Jessica ‘Decky’ Alexander is a professor of applied drama/theatre and the Director of Engage@EMU, an office whose mission is to cultivate community and university collaboration. Both as a performer and as a faculty member, Decky has used the mediums of theatre and performance to foster voice with underserved and under-heard individuals and communities.
Decky’s current creative and scholarly endeavors include the use of theatre for faculty development, community performance, and community-based learning. Through Engage@EMU, Decky oversees The Family Empowerment Program, a supportive services program in affordable housing, and the Prevention Theatre Collective, a high school theatre program, which uses theatre as a preventive tool in the areas of substance use and abuse.
Recent and current projects include: Vital: A Fugue on Aging, An Ethnographic Performance with Limelight LLC., and In the Neighborhood, an art creating and community conversation in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
Recent publications include: Disrupting a Disruption or Live Everything, book chapter in Community Engagement 2.0?: Dialogs on the Future of the Civic in the Disrupted University, Palgrave MacMillian: NY 2014 and Addressing the Student Debt Crisis: Steps Universities Can Take, Academic Leader: 2019.
Presentations
“I am the only chosen person in this room!” Declarations and Detours of a life lived in Non-Jewish Spaces” at Limmud Michigan -March 22, 2020
Prof. Jessica "Decky" Alexander: "Stray Cats, Strangers, and Other Neighbors" - March 24, 2020, Honors College, EMU
Awards and Recognitions
- 2019 Student Advocacy Center Community Advocate Award
- 2018 State of Michigan Specials Tribute -Ypsilanti Community Schools, State Representative Ronnie Peterson
- 2018 Dynamic Woman of Washtenaw County, Ypsilanti Community Schools
- 2017 United Way of Washtenaw County Poppenger Award
- 2007 ACLU Washtenaw County- Civil Liberties Champion Award
- 2005 Institutional Values Award for Diversity, Multicultural and Human Dignity
- 2002 Division of Enrollment Services Faculty Award
- Gold Medallion Outstanding Faculty Award, 1998
Local Civic Engagement
- Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor-Board Member, Chair of JCRC
- Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation-Cultural and Economic Development Committee
- Ann Arbor YMCA-Board Member
- Awesome Foundation-Trustee
- A2Y Chamber-Policy Board
Education
- Master's, Fine Arts, Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young, Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelor's, Theatre and Sociology, Lawrence University
Luke Yates, Community Program Development Manager
Luke Yates is the Community Program Development Manager for Engage@EMU and currently oversees the EMU Testing & Certification Center, Washtenaw County/EMU Legal Resource Center and Eagle Engage Corps debt forgiveness program. Beyond directing these programs, Luke provides administrative support for all Engage projects and represents Engage on various community partnerships. Luke has been with Engage since 2016.
Boards
- Washtenaw County/EMU Legal Resource Center
Education
- Master's, Public Administration, Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelor’s, Political Science, Beloit College
A. Begüm Aslan, Business and Project Manager
As Business and Project Manager, Begüm’s responsibilities include the management of grants, correspondence with Engage@EMU project coordinators and stakeholders regarding project and hire needs, and communicating ongoing needs and tasks with other departments throughout the university.
Begüm’s prior experiences span educational psychology, instructional technology, curriculum design, qualitative and quantitative research, and undergraduate/graduate teaching. She has earned her PhD in Learning Design and Technology from Wayne State University in 2020 and her dissertation provides a statistical analysis of faculty’s learning management system acceptance and use across different types of universities and colleges, which provides implications for successful implementation of learning management systems to support teaching and learning.
Education
- Ph.D., Learning Design and Technology, Wayne State University
- Master’s, Educational Psychology, Eastern Michigan University
- Master’s, Computer and Instructional Technology Teacher Education, Bilkent University, Turkey
- Bachelor’s, Computer and Instructional Technology Teacher Education, Bilkent University, Turkey
Caroline Sanders, Associate Director, Community Relations and Engagement
Caroline Sanders is the Associate Director of Community Relations and Engagement for EMU. Her primary role is to represent EMU in Southeast Michigan with emphasis in the Ypsilanti-Ann Arbor-Detroit communities. Her collaborative skills and university and community relationships allow her to serve as a two-way portal that benefits the community and university.
Boards
- Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars
- Child Care Network
- Leaders Connect
Education
- Ed.Specialist, Urban Education, Research Emphasis on Students with Children attending Institutions of Higher Learning (Eastern Michigan University)
- Master's, Political Science and Legal Administration/Technology (Eastern Michigan University)
- Bachelor's, Political Science and Legal Administration/Technology (Eastern Michigan University)
Sam Carter, Communications and Operations Manager
Sam manages communications with students, staff, faculty, and community members across multiple platforms and venues on behalf of Engage@EMU. She represents Engage@EMU and serves as a community partner for Ypsilanti events and programs such as: Explore Ypsi, Parkridge, Summerfest, United Way Workplace Campaign, Heart Walks, YCS, First Fridays, YpsiGlow, Spark, Riverside and other related community programs. In addition, Sam runs the Non-Partisan voter registration and education effort for Eastern Michigan University's campus as mandated by the secretary of state
Education
- Master's, Fine Arts, Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young, Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelors, Fine Arts, Acting for Stage, Screen, and New Media, Michigan State University
Symone Davis, Graduate Assistant, Community Collaborative
As the Community Collaborative Graduate Assistant, Symone Davis helps to oversee the Community Work-Study Program for EMU which encourages students to use their federal work-study awards to assist local organizations in their community improvement efforts.
Education
- Master's, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (in progress), Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelor's, Psychology, Eastern Michigan University
Lamarr Mitchell, Graduate Assistant, Engage & University Special Projects
Lamarr serves as a project champion for some of EMU's key special University events and/or University/Community programs and other duties. He's strives to reinforce the University's designation and dedication as a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution.
Education
- Master's, Business Administration (in progress), Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelor's, Business Administration, Marketing, Eastern Michigan University
Program Directors
Olivia Allen, Graduate Assistant/Interim Director, Navigation: Returning Citizens Program
Bio Coming Soon.
Education
- Master's, Fine Arts, Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young (in progress), Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelor's, Theatre Performance and Education, Oklahoma City University
For more information on Returning Citizens, email [email protected].
Anna Balzer, Director, SEMIS
Anna Balzer (she/her) is thrilled to serve as the new Director of the Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition (SEMIS), a program of the Engage Office at Eastern Michigan University. In this role she will support the SEMIS Coalition team and members to co-create, shape, and implement a collaborative vision for place-based, eco-justice education in the region. Anna will also establish, steward, and deepen connections across the region and throughout a national place-based education ecosystem and help amplify the stories and impact of, and bring additional resources to, our regional work.
Anna has been connected with the SEMIS Coalition since 2014, first as an AmeriCorps Green School Coordinator with EcoWorks’ Youth Energy Squad (YES) and then throughout her 6 years as Program Manager and Co-Director of YES. During her time at YES, she supported place-based education and youth-led environmental justice projects in Detroit and the metro area, with a special focus on forging deeper connections between young people and community leaders to address local environmental justice priorities. Most recently, Anna served as a Community Engagement Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office, strengthening relationships and resource sharing between the federal government and local clean energy organizations.
Anna holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the University of Michigan. Newly a resident of Toledo, Ohio, Anna had previously lived in Detroit since 2013 and finds herself endlessly curious about the history, ecology, folklore, and personal stories of the Great Lakes region. An aspiring home renovator, gardener, and cook, she is always interested in opportunities to trade skills, books, tools, and time with her community.Boards
- Market Leadership Advisory Board, U.S. Green Building Council, Detroit Region
Education
- Master's, Public Affairs, University of Michigan
- Bachelor's, Environmental Studies, University of Colorado-Boulder
For more information on SEMIS, email [email protected]
Wayne Doyle, Director, Veteran Student Support Services
Wayne and his team work very closely as part of EMU’s Veteran Resource Center to provide academic and career support for student veterans. The key areas of focus are to assist student veterans in career transition, increase graduation rates, and connect student veterans with the campus and community. Previously, Wayne spent 11 years active Army (Field Artillery) and 12 years US Army Reserve (Civil Affairs), Kosovo, Iraq, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret).
Boards
- TRiO Student Support Services Advisory Board
- TRiO McNair Scholars Advisory Board
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
Education
- Master's, Land Warfare, American Military University
- Bachelor's, Civil Engineering, West Point
For more information on Veteran Student Support Services, email [email protected].
Mark Hammond, Director, The Family Empowerment Program
Mark serves as the Director of EMU's Family Empowerment Program - a team of 5 community-based social workers serving the ~1000 adults and children living in Ypsilanti's subsidized housing neighborhoods. He has been committed to working with underserved families in Ypsilanti his entire professional career. He first served Ypsilanti Housing Commission communities in 2013 as a BSW intern through EMU's Institute for the Study of Children, Families, and Communities. He then worked with the Family Empowerment Program for 7 years providing supportive housing services to 144 households at Ypsilanti's Hamilton Crossing community prior to becoming Director of the FEP in 2021.
Education
- Masters, Social Work, University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- Bachelor's, Social Work, Eastern Michigan University
For more information on the FEP, email [email protected].
Beth Heiss, Director of Professional Programs and Continuing Education Initiatives
Beth Heiss is the Director of Professional Program and Continuing Education Initiatives at EMU. Beth oversees the development and implementation of practical, relevant, and timely professional development initiatives, test preparation courses, and certificate programs. Her work empowers individuals to gain the skills, knowledge, and credentials needed to excel and advance in their careers.With a passion for fostering growth and creating opportunities, Beth collaborates with industry leaders, educators, and organizations to deliver impactful training solutions that align with workforce demands. Her experiences in both higher education and business as well as her dedication to lifelong learning make her a driving force in helping professionals achieve their career goals and contribute to their organization.
Education
- Master's, Business Administration, Wayne State University
- Bachelor's, Business Administration, Adrian College
For more information on PPAT, email [email protected].
Suzie Staley, Director, EMU Bright Futures
Suzie serves as the Director of EMU's Bright Futures, a 21st CCLC serving 22 sites. Prior to joining EMU, she worked as the Associate Executive Director at the Neutral Zone, Senior Program Associate at the Weikart Center and, as the Director of the Youth Mentorship Program at The Henry Ford, for fourteen years. Her endeavors include a plethora of nonprofit participation such as: mentoring, education, youth advocacy, juvenile justice, LGBTQ+ work and much more.
For more information on Bright Futures, contact 734.487.0372.
Anthony Webster, Director, TRiO Student Supports Services
Anthony is a proud native of Greenville, Mississippi. As an undergraduate student at Jackson State University, he recognized his passion for higher education and student success after being hired as a work-study student in the Dean of Students Office. As a McNair Scholar, he learned early in his college career how important it is to connect with resources, build community, and become involved. His commitment to supporting first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities as they navigate their educational journey stems from his own experience of being labeled as "at-risk."
Anthony has called Michigan home for over a decade. He graduated from the Eastern Michigan University Higher Education Student Affairs program and the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Ph.D. program at Wayne State University. His research focuses on improving access and employment opportunities for minority students through the lens of Critical Race Theory.
For more information on TRiO, contact [email protected].
Meghan Lechner, Director, College in Prison & Returning Citizens Fellowship
Meghan Lechner began her work with CiP and RCF in 2023. In this two-pronged role, Meghan works both with women who are currently incarcerated at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility (WHV) while they pursue EMU Bachelor's degrees, along with citizens who have recently reentered society post-incarceration who seek to continue or begin their higher education journey with EMU. In working with CiP, Meghan is the liaison between EMU, the Department of Corrections, and WHV as the program continues to grow and become an established part of the prison ecosystem. With RCF, Meghan serves as the point person for the wrap-around support provided by Engage@EMU to assist returning citizens through their educational path. Before coming to EMU, Meghan worked in student affairs for 7 years at several universities across the US.
Boards and Activities
- Dean, Ann Arbor Awesome Foundation
Education
- Master's, Higher Education Administration, College of William & Mary
- Bachelor's, Political Science & Communication, Hope College
For more information on Returning Citizens, email [email protected].
Dr. Courtney Morris, Director, Upward Bound
Dr. Courtney B. Morris is an educator dedicated to creating efficient pathways for promising scholars and their families. A proud Detroit native, she began her higher education journey at Schoolcraft College, earning an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. She continued her studies at Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Health Administration and a Master’s in Higher Education. Her academic journey culminated in a Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Courtney has served in various roles within local school districts, including College Advisor and District Transition Coordinator. She has also worked with nonprofits committed to guiding scholars through college and in philanthropic organizations focused on educational and youth development initiatives.
At the heart of Dr. Courtney’s professional mission is ensuring access to information, resources, and equitable guidance for scholars and their support networks. She leads with a socially, emotionally, and culturally relevant approach, fostering environments where belonging and representation are prioritized.
Education
- Ph.D., Educational Leadership, Central Michigan University
- Master's, Higher Education/Student Affairs, Eastern Michigan University
- Bachelor's, Health Administration & Social Work, Eastern Michigan University
- Associate's, Liberal Arts, Schoolcraft College
For more information on Upward Bound, contact 734.487.0488