Tim McKay, Ph.D. 

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education

Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Physics, Astronomy, Education

Susan Perreault, M.Ed.

Director, LSA Student Recruitment

Alexa Lynch, M.A.

Project Manager, I2A

Anna Cools

Innovation and Information Specialist, I2A

Alexis Harris (she/her)

Major: Computer Science & Cognitive Science

Hometown: Detroit, MI

“I want to help students know the possibilities of university/trade school/community college…and no matter what, they will have support throughout.”

Dawn Oja (she/her)

Major: Nursing

Hometown: Calumet, MI

“I hope to make the college-going process easier for others. I hope I can be the person that I would’ve liked to help me when I was going through the process.”

Sabrina Morrison (she/her)

Major: Biomolecular Science

Hometown: Jamaica

“Having experienced firsthand the challenges of pursuing higher education without adequate guidance and support, I understand the critical role that programs like I2A play in shaping students’ futures.”

First Generation College Student

Brett Sherwood (he/him)

Major: Business Administration

Hometown: Romulus, MI

I’m passionate about mentorship, storytelling, personal finance, education, and the economic empowerment of marginalized communities in the arts.

First Generation College Student

Yahil Ceballos (he/him)

Major: Movement Science

Hometown: Detroit, MI

“My hopes for I2A are to be able to help students who might be struggling deciding what they want to do after high school and be a good role model for these students so they know what a college student really is and how to find their aspirations.”

First Generation College Student

Gaby Gaytan-Aguirre (she/her)

Major: Sociology, Law, Justice & Social Change

Hometown: Ypsilanti, MI

“I wish to help students who feel just like I did throughout a difficult process in order for them to achieve their goals. Learning about other options after high school can be the needed change in an individual’s life, a change that can be brought on by I2A.”

First Generation College Student

Rajvinder Kaur (she/her)

Major: Economics

Hometown: Owosso, MI

“The I2A team helped me to reach where I wanted to be…having Ambassadors put time and effort towards me was very nice to know because I had a team behind me. I want students to know that there is not only one way to success but many.”

First Generation College Student

Tyáe Grant (she/her)

Major: Sociology

Hometown: Chicago, IL

“I care a lot about the youth and families having the resources that they need to be successful. I2A’s goal is to empower and support students in successfully going after whatever their next step is which I think is beautiful.”

First Generation College Student

Juju Forehand (she/her)

Major: Sociology & Spanish

Hometown: Monroe, GA

“The college-going process can look different for everyone, but everyone deserves help in figuring it out. For the students that we are able to reach, I hope we make an impact on them to gain the confidence to ask for help when they need it.”

First Generation College Student

Christopher Grove (he/him)

Major: User Experience & Design

Hometown: Sault Ste. Marie, MI

“I joined I2A because I wanted to be part of a team that directly supports students navigating their post-secondary journey whether that’s college, trade school, the military, or the workforce. I see I2A as a way to empower students like myself, breaking down barriers and helping them realize their full potential.”

First Generation College Student

Devin Wiles (he/him)

Major: Business

Hometown: Auburn Hills, MI

“As a first-generation college student, I2A spoke to me as an opportunity to assist students from similar backgrounds to my own in their post-high-school exploration processes…I hope to give back to those that still have the time and opportunity to make use of it.”

First Generation College Student

Maddie Frustaglio (she/her)

Major: Biochemistry & Pre-pharmacy

Hometown: Negaunee, MI

“I was a part of the I2A program as a high school student, and this program helped me out so much as I was navigating through the college application journey, By becoming a part of this team I want to make students’ college application journey as easy as this program did for me.”

Dorian Robinson (she/her)

Major: Biology, Health & Society;

Hometown: Auburn Hills, MI

“I know that my own college experience was full of uncertainty and self-doubt and I wish that I had more support throughout my journey. I hope to be a part of the support system for students navigating this overwhelming transition period at every step of their journey.”

First Generation College Student

Ayven Hunt (he/him)

Major: English

Hometown: Canton, MI

“I want to help people feel that they are capable of achieving their goals. I never would’ve imagined that I’d be where I am today, and even though I personally had to navigate a lot of things alone when I was exploring my own postsecondary options, I want to use my story to show people that there’s always hope and there’s always a way to get where you want to be.”

Jillian Klaver (she/her)

Major: Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) & Linguistics

Hometown: Owosso, MI

“I want to help students find ways to go after any goal that they might have instead of limiting themselves before they even know it…I would like to provide the help for others that I wish I had received.”

Valeria Rivera (she/her)

Major: Psychology & Anthropology

Hometown: Detroit, MI

“I love helping others, sharing what I know, and giving them the necessary resources…to help 8th-12th graders think about what is best for their future and what they want, as well as to support them in the decisions they make.”

First Generation College Student

Ixchel Ceballos (she/her)

Major: Economics

Hometown: East Lansing and Detroit, MI

“I hope the students who need help are able to receive it. I see this position as a way to empower and support our youth and give them the resources to make more choices about their own lives.”

First Generation College Student

Jazmin Espinosa-Romero (she/her)

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Detroit, MI

“I want to be the helping hand that I wish I had to help other first-generation college students like me…to be part of the support system for students seeking opportunities for a better future.”

First Generation College Student

Tyler Lajimodiere (he/him)

Major: Economics

Hometown: Negaunee, MI

“I wanted to be a part of the I2A team because of how much they helped me and I want to do the same for other high school students. Coming from the UP, this gives me a chance to do outreach to smaller schools that don’t get the fair shots that they deserve..”

Lilianna Flores

Major: Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) & Asian Studies

Hometown: Lincoln Park, MI

“It’s important to have guidance for high schoolers…I hope to give back to communities and guide students into their futures and expand this program to help more communities and counties in the future!”

First Generation College Student

Elizabeth Jaramillo (she/her)

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Detroit, MI

“I want to help create a program that meets students’ needs to help the process be easier and more accessible. Everyone deserves to be given a fair chance at pursuing post-secondary education if they wish to.”

First Generation College Student

Jazmine Blackman (she/her)

Major: Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN)

Hometown: Detroit, MI

“I decided to join the I2A team because the program was incredibly impactful for me during my own college-going journey as a rising senior in high school. The Ambassadors and staff in the program were a huge source of support, they answered my questions, and offered valuable advice. I want to support other students who might be facing similar doubts and challenges..”

First Generation College Student

Madi Austin (she/her)

Major: International Studies & Sociology

Hometown: Negaunee, MI

“I want to be a resource for students who feel like they are alone in figuring out their future. Everyone deserves a chance to get help from someone/somewhere they trust to figure out their next steps and get them on the right path.”

First Generation College Student

Nahdia Levy (she/her)

Major: Economics & Political Science

Hometown: Chicago, IL

“I think many of us don’t consider college an option because of financial reasons, because we don’t think we’re capable, or because we simply don’t know what post-secondary options are truly available to us. I want to be a mentor for other students…someone others can look to with similar experiences and a lot of genuine advice.”

First Generation College Student