HFC Detroit Promise student 1 of 2 Michigan students named NCAN Student Advocacy Fellows
HFC alumna Kalani Olatunji has been appointed to the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Member Advocacy Fellows Program. She is one of two college students in Michigan, both of whom are student representatives for the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN), to be chosen for this fellowship.
As one of 66 NCAN fellows nationwide, Olatunji, of Detroit, will give lawmakers her input on decisions regarding college access, affordability, and attainment. Her involvement with NCAN happened after FOX 2 News’ Roop Raj interviewed her on May 27, 2020 about the Detroit Promise, a program that provides a tuition-free associate degree or technical certificate for graduates of Detroit Public Schools (DPS).
“My duties with regard to NCAN are to advocate the goals of the program, which help students expand their opportunities to enter college and stay in college. This includes college affordability, loan forgiveness, on-campus student support, and career acquisition. We have been holding virtual meetings to speak about the Pell Grant and the decline0 of its purchasing power. We are working toward holding congressional meetings to speak with our representatives to consider students' futures. We need their support, and we need to come together to fix the issues and hardships that weigh people down. We're headed downhill. We all need to be reminded that the only way up is together,” explained Olatunji.
HFC faculty are devoted to student success.
An alumna of Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Olatunji attended HFC through the Detroit Promise. She recently graduated from HFC, earning her associate degree in general studies.
“My experience at HFC has been amazing. I love HFC. The faculty at that school is phenomenal and pride themselves on being there for their students. They commit to helping their students succeed and supporting their passions. I also love the campus and the energy that students exude as they are filled with the drive to accomplish great things,” praised Olatunji.
Olatunji is taking additional classes at HFC and plans to transfer to Wayne State University this fall, where she’ll major in English and creative writing. She will also attend Wayne State through the Detroit Promise.
“Detroit Promise is truly a great program and has granted me so many great opportunities to expand myself. Without Detroit Promise, I can’t say where I would be,” said Olatunji. “Mark Yancy, my Detroit Promise advisor, has been a big part of my academic success and my personal success. I am very thankful for him and this program.”
Olatunji’s career goals include becoming an ESL instructor and earning her PhD in English. She would like to be a published author.
“Writing has always been close to my heart and one of the few things at which I excel,” she said. “When I was younger, writing fiction was something that would comfort me as I was a quiet, shy kid who kept her thoughts and feelings to herself. Now I share my writing and thoughts. I’m still working on expressing my feelings.”
Stepping out of your comfort zone
She hopes to use NCAN as a platform to tell her story.
“The issues I am passionate about are college affordability and on-campus support,” said Olatunji. “If college affordability were not becoming scarce, more young people would be attending and trying to make their passions into their careers. Instead, we have more young people working 9-5 jobs just trying to make a living – which is great – but where does that lead? A lot of my friends aren’t feeling college anymore, due to the lack of support. My friends are passionate about the things they do on-campus in regard to their growth and careers but are weary of the struggle to receive help or support. I am curious about what happened to doing what you love and not what makes your bank account fat. That’s what I feel our world has become today: A cycle of ongoing greed, which is failing those without power and position.”
Olatunji also has advice for incoming freshmen.
“Don’t be afraid to open up and change the pace,” she said. “I was blessed with a great faculty at HFC and a program that challenged me to be the best I could be, which was always more than what I held myself to. Though it feels good to be in your comfort zone, step out of it, challenge yourself. Don’t let your fears and comfort hold you back because it will be your undoing. You are more than what you know.”
She also stated that students shouldn’t use the pandemic as an excuse not to pursue higher education.
“Just keep going and keep pushing yourself. Right now are some trying times, but this is the time to prove to yourself the resilience you have for your dreams and aspirations. Push yourself, but – by all means – stay safe and healthy. Also, remember that every day counts, every step towards success counts, and most of all you count,” said Olatunji. “This pandemic has been a challenge for me, too, but I have goals, dreams, wants, needs, and – most of all – loved ones that motivate me to keep pushing myself to do all those things I aspire to in my life… I am a very fortunate student to have been granted so many great opportunities. I never thought I would come this far as I never thought I would be able to step out of my comfort zone. I wouldn’t be able to do this without those in my life always looking out for my best interests and fueling my development.”
Yancy is proud of Olatunji’s success.
“Kalani is an amazing student,” said Yancy. “She started out as typical freshman, a little shy but strong. Over the course of her time here at HFC, she found her voice! She has become an ambassador for the Detroit Promise program, as well as HFC, representing both at local and international conferences. She is creative, her smile and personality are infectious, and she knows that the key to unlocking possibilities is through education. Kalani has worked hard and used her 2-year scholarship at HFC to secure another scholarship to finish her 4-year degree upon completion of this semester. She is a shining star, and in the near future, many others will see the light she brings.”