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Our Team

Nancy Peters-Lewis | Executive Director

Nancy joined the CCAC team as Executive Director in the Fall of 2014. Before joining the CCAC, Nancy was the Education Director and Community Outreach Coordinator for the YMCA in Battle Creek. Prior to that, she served as the LCAN Coordinator of the Greater Albion College Access Network. Nancy is a Jackson native and a proud alumna of Jackson High School.

Nancy obtained her Bachelor of Economics and International Studies from Albion College, where she also minored in French. She continued on to acquire her Masters in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University. Throughout her professional career, she has served in various capacities within government, non-profit, education, and business arenas, with a strong focus on providing equal access to programming for underrepresented populations.

Nancy spends her personal time reading, running, biking, swimming, and enjoying the arts. She also appreciates the togetherness she finds with her husband and six children.

Favorite Quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

Contact: nancy@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

Leadership Management • Fundraising and Grant Writing • Communications • Business Direction and Strategic Planning • Public Relations • Organizational Management • Agency and Staff Evaluation • Community Advising, Presenting, and Speaking • Recruiting and Retaining Quality Staff • Creating a Strong Organizational Culture • Program Expansion and Design • Engaging Board Members, Volunteers, and Donors • Growing and Protecting Earned Revenue and Grant Funding

Megan Pitts | Operations Coordinator

Megan hails from Danville, Virginia. She attended the University of Virginia, where she earned her bachelor of arts in Sociology. Before joining the CCAC, Megan worked as a High School Career Coach and a Student Success Coach at Danville Community College, where she helped students create a post-secondary plan and navigate through barriers within higher education.

In her free time, Megan enjoys going on long walks and working on various craft projects including crocheting, knitting, and sewing. She also loves to spend quality time with her husband and her Boston Terrier, Lacey.

Favorite Quote: "Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward opening up new doors and doing new things...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Contact: mpitts@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

Office Scheduling and Maintenance • Advisor Support • Fund Drive Support • Team and Board Meeting Support • Summer Melt Coordination • New Employee Onboarding and Training • Communications and Marketing Coordination • Website Maintenance • Social Media Management • Quarterly Newsletter and Monthly Scholarship Development • Data Management and Analysis

Stacy Bell | Finance Coordinator

Stacy, a native of Kalamazoo, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Spanish from the University of Michigan, and continued on to acquire her Masters of Business Administration from Western Michigan University. Prior to joining the CCAC, Stacy worked for PNC Bank as a Treasury Management Officer and Business Banker.

Stacy now resides in Jackson with her husband and daughters. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, attending college football games, and spending family time in northern Michigan.

Favorite Quote: "When writing the story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen." - Unknown

Contact: stacy@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

Payroll • Annual Fund Drive • Accounts Payable and Receivable • Preparation of Financial Reports • Budgets and Audit Review

Brian Green | Community Initiatives Coordinator | Senior College and Career Advisor

Brian is a Jackson native and a graduate of Michigan Center High School. Brian continued his education at Eastern Michigan University, where he studied Language, and the University of Michigan - receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Communications. He returned to further his education at Baker College of Jackson, building core competencies in Human Services and Psychology. It was through a Baker internship that Brian arrived at the College and Career Access Center. After the term, he was hired to assist in the Summer Melt program, later transitioning into an advisor position.

In his free time, Brian serves the Jackson community as a volunteer and mentor. Brian is also a dedicated father who enjoys spending quality time with his daughter, particularly developing culinary skills together. Brian's other interests include, writing fiction and poetry, long-distance running, and musical performance. 

Favorite Quote: "I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you possess is a hammer, to treat every problem as if it were a nail." - Abraham Maslow

Contact: brian@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

Special Projects Support • Fund Drive Support • Newsletter Support • Community Initiative Coordination • Summer Outreach • Internship Coordination • Juniors Over the Local Circuit Coordination • Kids2College/Pathways to Professional Skilled Trades Coordination • Training and Mentorship • College and Career Advising • Resume, Cover Letter, and Interview Support

Brian Advises:

  • Springport High School

 

Jorge Rodriguez | College and Career Advisor

Jorge hails from the south side of Chicago, where he spent his childhood, but comes to the CCAC from San Antonio, Texas. Jorge graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sociology. After completing an active-duty tour with the U.S. Navy, Jorge interned and pursued a position working with the Department of Family and Protective Services for the state of Texas. Most recently, Jorge moved to Michigan to explore new opportunities and achieve higher education. In his free time, Jorge enjoys exercising, lounging around, and spending time with his friends and family. Jorge's other interests include traveling and sight-seeing.

Favorite Quote: "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get." - Andrew Carnegie

Contact: jrodriguez@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

College and Career Advising • Career Assessments • Resumes/Cover Letters • Soft Skills/Interviewing • Job Shadow Support • Career and Employment Exploration • Scholarship Support • FAFSA Completion • College and Skilled Trades Applications • Presentation Construction • Summer Outreach

Jorge Advises:

  • Da Vinci High School
  • East Jackson High School
  • Napoleon High School

Zaire Ingram | College and Career Advisor

Zaire was born and raised in Jackson, Michigan. After graduating from Jackson High School, she attended Jackson College and then transferred to Wayne State University to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Currently, she is continuing her education by pursuing a Master's in Social Work at Wayne State University. Prior to joining the CCAC, Zaire worked with foster youth by providing guidance to those aging out of the foster care system. She really enjoys advising young adults through their education journey and providing support however she can.

In her free time, Zaire loved spending time with her family, weightlifting, and watching documentaries.

Favorite Quote: "Justice is what love looks like in public, just like tenderness is what love feels like in private." - Dr. Cornel West

Contact: zingram@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

College and Career Advising • Career Assessments • Resumes/Cover Letters • Soft Skills/Interviewing • Job Shadow Support • Career and Employment Exploration • Scholarship Support • FAFSA Completion • College and Skilled Trades Applications • Presentation Construction • Summer Outreach

Zaire Advises:

  • Concord High School
  • Jackson High School

Glen Guilbault | College and Career Advisor

Glen is a native of Ontonagon, Michigan and most recently lived in Houghton, MI for 11 years. He is a lifelong Yooper until moving to Jackson in July 2023.  Glen comes to us with 18 years of experience in the secondary and post-secondary worlds, with over ten of those years being both administrative and direct advising experience.  He hails from Northern Michigan University, with his master's degree in Instructional Leadership and bachelor's degree in Secondary Education/Industrial Technology.  Glen has experience as a carpenter, woodshop/building trades teacher, janitor, college advisor and college administrator. His passion lies in working with students and helping them navigate their career and academic goals.  

Glen and his wife have three sons who all play hockey, so they spend most of their free time at varying hockey rinks. Glen also enjoys reading, traveling and woodworking. 

Favorite Quote: “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” - Bill Nye 

Contact: gguilbault@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

College and Career Advising • Career Assessments • Resumes/Cover Letters • Soft Skills/Interviewing • Job Shadow Support • Career and Employment Exploration • Scholarship Support • FAFSA Completion • College and Skilled Trades Applications • Presentation Construction • Summer Outreach

Glen Advises:

  • Columbia Central High School
  • Hanover-Horton High School
  • Michigan Center High School

Arlene Duncan | College and Career Advisor

Arlene Duncan, a native of Jackson, MI, is a dedicated college advisor specializing in guiding students towards their academic and professional goals. A proud alumna of Michigan State University, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Advertising Management & Media. With a background in marketing and youth mentorship, Arlene brings a wealth of experience to her role, empowering students to navigate their educational journey with confidence.

In her free time, Arlene finds joy in lifelong learning, shopping, and cherishing moments with her loved ones.

Favorite Quote: "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill

Contact: aduncan@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

College and Career Advising • Career Assessments • Resumes/Cover Letters • Soft Skills/Interviewing • Job Shadow Support • Career and Employment Exploration • Scholarship Support • FAFSA Completion • College and Skilled Trades Applications • Presentation Construction • Summer Outreach

Arlene Advises:

  • Grass Lake High School
  • Vandercook Lake High School
  • Western High School

 

Jake Gagne | College and Career Advisor

Jake was born in Livonia, MI, and moved to Linden, MI, at the age of 5, where he was raised. He graduated from Linden High School in 2017 and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Grand Valley State University in 2021, with a minor in applied statistics. After graduation, Jake spent several years in the sales industry, where he discovered a passion for working with people and serving as a source of information.

In his free time, Jake enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, Amanda, and their dog, Scooby. He also enjoys working out, playing the drums and piano, and completing projects around the house.

Favorite Quote: " People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." - Rob Siltanen

Contact: jgagne@jacksoncac.org

Specialty Areas:

College and Career Advising • Career Assessments • Resumes/Cover Letters • Soft Skills/Interviewing • Job Shadow Support • Career and Employment Exploration • Scholarship Support • FAFSA Completion • College and Skilled Trades Applications • Presentation Construction • Summer Outreach

Jake Advises:

  • Northwest High School