Michigan Site Supervisor of the Month

AmeriCorps Site Supervisor of the Month – Jill Raymond June 2026: U of M College Advising Corps

In addition to being the Head Counselor at Jackson High School and the direct counselor

for this year’s senior class, Jill Raymond is also the supervisor to the AmeriCorps members with the Michigan College Advising Corps serving at her school. The Michigan College Advising Corps is a subgrantee of the MSU College Advising Corps.  These programs place 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.   

From a young age Raymond knew she wanted to be a school guidance counselor to help others just as her guidance counselor did for her.  While working on obtaining a Master's of Arts in Counseling from Spring Arbor University, Raymond began her career at Jackson High School where she has been for over 12 years. In her current role, Raymond acts as a trusted right-hand to teachers, a steady support for staff, and a familiar presence to every student who walks the halls of JHS.  Raymond’s passion for helping students in their learning and career journeys shows in her ability to seek out and implement creative solutions with limited resources. She also continues to support students after they leave high school.

One powerful example of her continued support is through a previous student who had graduated from Jackson High School was working as an AmeriCorps Volunteer at a local nonprofit. Raymond had previously worked with this individual in mentoring and finding a future path. When Raymond learned of this individual’s position at the non-profit, she advocated for this individual to obtain a full-time position. According to current members, this story is not unique. Many former students keep in contact with Raymond, inspired by the belief that she instilled in them: that they matter and can achieve.

Baylee Carlisle, a current AmeriCorps volunteer remarks on Raymond’s guidance, “as my site supervisor, Jill Raymond empowers me daily to be the best version of me. She models leadership, empathy, and advocacy with consistency and poise. She reminds me that our role is not simply to complete tasks, but to invest in people. Through her example, I have learned to approach challenges with creativity and compassion, to speak hope into students even when circumstances feel heavy, and to remember that small acts of encouragement can have life-altering impact,” Carlisle continues, “Raymond embodies the values and goals of AmeriCorps through her commitment to service, community partnership, and her deep belief in equity and opportunity for all. Whether in her role at JHS, as a board member of the Jackson Interfaith Shelter, as a mom, or simply as a human being, she consistently chooses service over recognition.”

Carlisle continues her sentiments stating, “in just one school year of knowing Jill Raymond, I have learned lessons I will carry with me for life; not only how to support others with positivity and empathy, but how to face challenges with strength and grace. Jill has taught me that positivity and giving back are essential fuel for a meaningful career.”

For more information about the Michigan College Advising Corps, 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.