Ann Roboski- COVID-19 and College Access

Hello! My name is Ann Roboski and I am a first-year AmeriCorps VISTA serving with Capital Area College Access Network(CapCAN) in Lansing, Michigan in the Pathways to Employment Program. I am serving at Dansville High School and the Wilson Talent Center as a College and Career Advisor. CapCAN’s mission is: “making completion of post-secondary education an achievable reality for all residents of the capital area….. to increase college and career readiness, participation, and completion.”

These past months I have been working to ensure all students have filed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) and Tuition Incentive Program(TIP) applications at both schools. Recently, I conducted outreach initiatives with parents to ensure they are aware of financial aid deadlines and procedures. Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, I have had to change my outreach techniques and add various communication platforms to accommodate my students. In order to provide the necessary resources, I have begun utilizing google voice, google hangouts, zoom, and email to reach students and parents. My transition to virtual advising made me realize how technologically challenged I was and had to learn fast!


I have also spent quite a bit of my time organizing visits to colleges. This past year I was able to take students to the University of Michigan, Lansing Community College, Western Michigan University, and Jackson College. I also had a trip planned to my alma mater- Aquinas College!  However, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the trip was canceled. I had been excited to show my students around the school that taught me so many lessons and will always have a special place in my heart. In an effort to provide the opportunity to tour Aquinas College and other colleges, I have spent time researching virtual tours and emailing them to my students.

It’s unbelievable how fast this year of service has gone by and even harder to believe the way the school year abruptly ended. I am incredibly grateful for the memories, the lessons I learned,  and the strong support system that this year has brought me. 

Although my service looks a little different from the beginning of the year, I am excited to continue my work at CapCAN and assist students with their post-secondary plans!