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Every Child Reads Champions Council

Children laying on the floor in a library reading books. A bookshelf is visible in the background.

Every Child Reads Champions Council

A dark blue background with a white book icon and text that says, "Every Child Reads".

Every Child Reads Champions Council

The Every Child Reads Champions Council is a statewide advisory body created by Executive Order 2026-12 to help strengthen Michigan’s literacy plan and ensure every child becomes a strong reader, writer and communicator.

The Council supports Michigan’s Every Child Reads initiative by bringing together leaders from education, business, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, Tribal communities and government. Members represent diverse communities and learner needs, including urban, suburban and rural regions; early childhood; out‑of‑school time; special education; and English learner populations.

The Council advises the Governor and state agencies by:

  • Championing the statewide literacy vision
  • Engaging national and local experts to identify effective practices
  • Guiding development of the annual Every Child Reads Implementation Update
  • Providing input on the public Every Child Reads Dashboard that tracks statewide literacy progress

The Council is staffed by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP), with support from the Michigan Department of Education. Members serve two‑ or four‑year terms, and their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Council Members

Name Title Role Term Expires
Kevin Polston Superintendent, Kentwood Public Schools Chair; member from the lifelong education sector with expertise in the science of reading Sept. 2, 2030
Laura Dinehart, Ph.D. Dean, College of Education and Human Development; Professor of Early Childhood Education;
Western Michigan University		 Member from the lifelong education sector with expertise in the science of reading Sept. 2, 2030
Alesia Flye, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer,
Macomb Intermediate School District		 Member from the lifelong education sector with expertise in the science of reading Sept. 2, 2030
Dr. Nicole Hamp, M.D. Chief Health and Program Officer, Autism Alliance
of Michigan; Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician and Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Medicine		 Parent; member from the non-profit, community or advocacy sector with experience in lifelong education and literacy Sept. 2, 2030
Dr. Darienne Hudson President and Chief Executive Officer,
United Way for Southeastern Michigan		 Parent; member from the non-profit, community or advocacy sectors with experience in lifelong education and literacy Sept. 2, 2030
Angelique Power President and Chief Executive Officer,
The Skillman Foundation		 Member from the philanthropic, civic or grantmaking sector with experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2030
Brandon Gleaton Senior Portfolio Manager, PreK-20 Education,
Ballmer Group		 Member from the philanthropic, civic or grantmaking sector with experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2030
Carrissa Rondeau Clinical Therapist and Licensed Behavior Analyst; Founder and Owner of Functional Behavior Services Member from the business sector with experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2030
Ronald Hall President and Chief Executive Officer,
Bridgewater Interiors LLC		 Member, business sector with experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2030
Tan-A Hoffman Director of Education,
Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians		 Member, experience working in Tribal government or educating in Tribal communities and supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2030
Arminda Westra Executive Director, Michigan Education Association Center for Leadership and Learning Member with relevant experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2028
Kathy Lester Adjunct Instructor, School of Information Sciences, Wayne State University Member with relevant experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2028
Susan Jandernoa Retired teacher, East Grand Rapids Public Schools Member with relevant experience supporting lifelong education Sept. 2, 2028
Dr. Glenn Maleyko State Superintendent of Public Instruction Seat designated for the Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction N/A
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea Executive Director, MiLEAP Seat designated for the MiLEAP Executive Director N/A