Get Involved: Join a MACAE Committee

Our committees are a space for educators and program directors to come together, share ideas, and work as a team to improve and shape the future of adult, community, and alternative education in Michigan.

All committee meetings are held virtually, and SCECHs (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) are available for most committees. Participating is a great way to maximize your MACAE membership and make a lasting impact on the field.

Committee Purpose and Focus

MACAE Committees are designed to:

  • Share resources and identify best practices within specific content areas
  • Analyze statewide data trends to inform programming and strategy
  • Develop and promote innovative educational initiatives
  • Provide leadership and input on statewide efforts and policy
  • Organize professional development opportunities for practitioners
  • Recommend improvements to enhance program quality and learner outcomes

Learn more about our committees, meeting times, and ways to get involved below.

Michael Evans, Kalamazoo Literacy Council mevans@kalamazooliteracy.org

The MACAE ABE/Literacy Group will provide best practices and resources to the adult education field to increase performance goals and participant success. Vision: Every adult will develop strong lifelong knowledge and skills to contribute to their family, the workforce and their community to become global citizens.

Renae Gowen, Southgate Adult, Alternative & Community Education gowenr@sgate.k12.mi.us

The Alternative Education Committee seeks to serve the Alternative education and Alternative high school populations across the state. The committee focuses on State Policies and Performance, Teaching and Learning Strategies, and Social/Emotional Aspects for both students and teachers.

Brian Puffer, Saline Areas Schools Community Education Director, Chair (pufferb@salineschools.org)

The Community Education Committee seeks to support Adult/Alternative Education, Early Childhood, Before and After School CARE, Enrichment and Recreation classes, Facility Management, Sports Camp, Vocational and Workplace Learning, and Career Technical Education across the state of Michigan in the public school system. Community Education supports the whole family from cradle to career.

Mariah Shafer, Refugee Development Center, mshafer@rdclansing.org

The MACAE English as a Second Language (ESL) Committee will provide best practices and resources to the adult education field to increase performance goals and participant success.

Whitney Dettmer, Iosco RESA Adult Education, Chair, wdettmer@ioscoresa.net

The High School Equivalency Committee supports adult and alternative education, and workforce training preparation programs who offer high school equivalency options (High School Diploma, GED, HiSET, TASC). The committee seeks to identify best practices and guidance for instructional best practices, program administration of multiple HSE testing streams, preparation materials and curriculums, sharing participants success stories and access to cost effective testing for program participants.

Karyn Goven, Southwest Economic Solutions, Chair, kgoven@swsol.org

The Integrated Education and Training Committee’s vision is to prepare educators, researchers and policymakers to understand interdisciplinary education and work connections. This will be accomplished by networking, building partnerships, creating and providing professional development, curriculum and instruction in a variety of formats to meet the diverse needs of professionals in the field.

MACAE, Facilitator (macaeoutreach@gmail.com)

The Regional Conveners is a collaborative think tank made up of all regional prosperity fiscal agents along with one adult education provider. The Cohort meets periodically throughout the year virtually with members of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to discuss strategies and best practices to improve the delivery of adult education programming across the state.