Dec. 3, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Ashlee Mishler has spent her career connecting students to life-changing opportunities, experiences she plans to lean on as Grand Rapids Community College’s new Promise Zone director.
Mishler started in the role last month, overseeing Grand Rapids Promise Zone scholarships, which eliminate cost as a barrier to a quality GRCC education for eligible students. About 400 students are using the scholarships to attend GRCC this semester.
Mishler is the point of contact for prospective students and families who want to learn about the Promise Zone, and will continue helping students once they start attending GRCC.
“They can work with me if they just have questions about GRCC all the way through their time as a student,” she said. “While they will have a team of staff who will assist them at various points of the process, they are always welcome to connect with me.
“Knowing the impact my college experience had on me and helping students shape their own experience is what I love most. Students who didn't think college was for them, or maybe had different plans, helping those students realize that college is for them is really exciting.”
The Promise Zone scholarship is available for students who live within the city of Grand Rapids and graduate from one of the 25 public, public charter, or private high schools located within the city limits. The program covers the cost of tuition and other expenses for GRCC’s associate degree and job training and certification programs.
Eligible students have five years to access these funds from the time they graduate high school. Once enrolled, they must take at least six credits a semester. Students who opt to attend a different college or university can still use the Promise Zone scholarship as a GRCC guest student during the summer semesters.
“We love everything Ashlee brings to the table,” said Tom DeJonge, chairman of the Promise Zone Authority board. “She’s passionate about helping students find their path in life, and her vision, skillset, and experience make her the ideal candidate to lead the Promise Zone in its effort to provide free higher education to all Grand Rapids students.”
Mishler will oversee all aspects of the program and report to the Promise Zone Authority Board as well as GRCC leaders. Her job includes providing information to prospective students and high schools, as well as to GRCC.
She comes to GRCC after more than four years at Ferris State University, where she was a marketing manager and marketing communications specialist.
Mishler also has worked as an admissions assistant at GRCC, an admissions counselor at Waubonsee Community College in Illinois, and as a recruitment and outreach specialist at Oakton Community College in Illinois.
She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Education in College Student Affairs Leadership from Grand Valley State University.
Mishler originally intended to head into the business world after earning her undergraduate degree. But her mother heard her speak about how much she enjoyed her orientation job and encouraged her to work toward the master’s degree in student affairs.
She worked in GRCC’s Office of Student Life while taking graduate classes and fell in love with the college.
“I knew working at the community college is where I wanted to be,” she said. “I eventually moved to Illinois and worked in college admissions at both two- and four-year schools. But when we moved back, I knew I wanted to come back to GRCC. It is an amazing place with incredible students and so many opportunities.”
Mishler said she enjoys connecting with students, learning about them, and helping them find their path to achieve their goals.
“I started assisting students when I was an undergraduate through new student orientation. I loved talking to students about their career goals and then assisting them with registering for their first semester of classes that would put them on their path toward their goals. Many students didn't know what they wanted to do -- and that was OK too! We were able to talk about how taking a variety of classes would help them figure out what they liked and what they didn't like to help them determine their future goals.”
Additional information about GRCC’s role in the Promise Zone scholarship is available through email at promisezone@grcc.edu, by phone at (616) 234-4321 and online at grpromisezone.com and grcc.edu/promisezone.