Michigan's AmeriCorps Site Supervisor of the Month

AmeriCorps Site Supervisor of the Month – Damien Pepin May 2026: MSU College Advising Corps

 

In addition to being the Principal of Capac Jr./Sr. High School, Damien Pepin is also the site supervisor to the AmeriCorps volunteers serving at his school. AmeriCorps volunteers serving at his school are from the MSU College Advising Corps.  The Corps places recent graduates in Michigan high schools as full-time college advisers, fostering a college-going culture and improving post-secondary outcomes.

 

These near-peer College Advisers assist high school students and their families with college searches, essay writing, SAT/ACT prep, college applications, FAFSA completion, scholarship searches, college visits, and successfully transitioning to post-secondary education, including four-year or two-year institutions and trade or technical schools.  Pepin stands out as a community-focused principal at Capac Jr./Sr. High School, where his leadership blends educational rigor with a deep commitment to his community. Pepin has been in the educational field for his entire career and passion for education and bettering his community is evident in the genuine relationships he maintains across the district.

 

Ama Phillips, AmeriCorps volunteer, describes Pepin’s approach as one rooted in service and inclusive leadership. Phillips states that he builds genuine relationships in the community and with his staff, ensuring every voice is heard and every team member feels valued. His approach to mentoring AmeriCorps volunteers and his staff has fostered growth and trust among staff and students.  Phillips states that “in the term and a half that I have served with MSUCAC, my service at Capac Public Schools has been defined by a significant cultural and professional transition. As a recent Michigan State graduate, I was largely unprepared to move from the collegiate atmosphere of East Lansing to a small, rural agricultural village in the Thumb. In a community where the vast majority of staff and students are white, navigating this new life as a Black woman presented unique challenges. My site supervisor, has been a fervent ally throughout this process, ensuring that I never felt isolated in my role.” Pepin exemplifies a well-rounded, empathetic leader who champions inclusivity, mentorship, and community engagement. His approach aligns with core educational values, fostering a positive school culture. His commitment to inclusivity and mentorship has made him a model MSUCAC program site supervisor.

 

For more information about the MSU 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.