Michigan's AmeriCorps Alum Spotlight

Alum of the Month Article – January 2026: Madison Archer,  MSUCAC

Madison Archer built her early service career with The Michigan State University College Advising Corps (MSUCAC) between 2018 and 2019. The MSUCAC program places recent MSU graduates in high schools throughout the state of Michigan to serve alongside counselors and other college access organizations. AmeriCorps members, serving as near-peer college advisers, assist high school students and their families with college searches, SAT/ACT preparation, college and scholarship applications, and FAFSA completion to help students successfully transition to post-secondary education.

Archer’s AmeriCorps journey influenced both her practice and her perspective. “My AmeriCorps service was a crucial step in both my personal and professional journeys,” Archer notes. Having joined MSUCAC immediately after graduation, she gained invaluable lessons and skills that continue to help her in her daily work. She emphasizes the power of community, describing how her AmeriCorps cohort offered a network of support during and after service and opened her eyes to the meaningful impact of serving with an organization that truly cares about the community.

The impact of Archer’s service extends beyond her personal growth. Archer’s experience as an AmeriCorps member laid a strong foundation for her current work as an AmeriCorps Success Coordinator with the Michigan Education Corps (MEC), where she supports both AmeriCorps members and Site Supervisors by coordinating the resources needed to successfully implement the Reading and Math Corps programs. She credits her former AmeriCorps experience with enhancing her effectiveness as a MEC Success Coordinator today. “Without my previous AmeriCorps service experience, I would not be as effective of a Success Coordinator as I am today,” she explains. Her ability to articulate the benefits and opportunities of AmeriCorps, as well as to empathize with the highs and lows of a service year, helps her guide MEC members through their journeys and contribute to programmatic success.

Beyond her professional roles, Archer remains a steadfast advocate for service. She describes how service continues to shape her life: “Being a part of AmeriCorps and meeting many incredible people… has made me want to give more to my own community.” She actively seeks volunteer opportunities in the Grand Rapids area and shares her passion for AmeriCorps with friends, family, and anyone willing to listen. Her ongoing commitment to service embodies the MEC mission and underscores the lasting influence of her early AmeriCorps experience.

Learn more about the Michigan State University College Advising Corps and other Michigan’s AmeriCorps programs making a positive impact in communities across Michigan. For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.americorps.gov.