The Lansing College Access Network (LCAN) was founded in 2009 to support the Lansing School District as it grew its Lansing Hope and Promise Scholarship programs providing college access services to students. As the Michigan College Access Network simultaneously developed, the LCAN received a challenge grant from the Council of Michigan Foundations to expand its capacity and to use the collective impact framework to review local college access data and align priorities and activities across organizations and sectors. The Capital Region Community Foundation was the first fiduciary and a consultant provided leadership and staff support. College Advisers were assigned to serve at Lansing Sexton and Eastern High Schools through the University of Michigan College Advising Corps.
Over time the LCAN board determined it was time to scale across Ingham County. In 2013, the LCAN was renamed CapCAN. In 2014, CapCAN shifted to the Capital Area United Way as its fiduciary and a full-time Executive Director was hired. College Advisers from Michigan State University College Advising Corps were added to serve at Waverly, Webberville, and Holt High Schools. Over the past four years, CapCAN has raised funds in the community to add college advisers at Stockbridge, the Wilson Talent Center, and Lansing’s Everett and Woodcreek High Schools.
In 2017, CapCAN began the process of integrating with its sister organization, the Eaton College Access Network. On May 9, 2018, the two leadership teams voted to merge into one entity maintaining the name Capital Area College Access Network. The CapCAN board of directors adopted new operating guidelines, elected officers, and added five new Eaton County members to serve on the diverse sector board. Three additional high schools: Eaton Rapids, Maple Valley, and Relevant Academy, will join the network’s college advising team. CapCAN recently created the Pathway to Potential Initiative to provide college and career coaching and support services to young adults up to age 24 who have been disconnected from work or postsecondary education.
If you are interested in becoming involved as a board member or investor in CapCAN, please contact Michele Strasz, Executive Director at strasz@capcan.org or call 517-203-5011.