2026 Afterschool Excellence Awards
At the 2026 MAC Annual Conference, MASP celebrated six leaders and organizations whose work is expanding opportunity and strengthening Out-of-School Time (OST) across Michigan. This year’s recipients show what Belonging by Design, Thriving Together looks like in practice.
Community Engagement Award
Tiffany Rouser, The Engagement Center
Tiffany Rouser saw that organizations serving opportunity youth in Flint and Genesee County could do more together. She founded The Engagement Center and launched the Flint & Genesee County Opportunity Youth Coalition to connect their efforts.
Working with more than 25 community partners, The Engagement Center helps young people ages 16 to 24 who are out of school and out of work find education pathways, employment opportunities, and other supports. Tiffany continues to bring partners together around a shared goal: helping young people build lasting stability and opportunity.
Impact Award
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan has reimagined how its programs can support young people’s futures. Its Industry Club gives teens paid opportunities to explore fields including fashion, sports, esports, design, and technology while building portfolios and connections with industry leaders.
The organization has also expanded sports opportunities and brought behavioral health services into its Clubs in response to needs identified by youth. In 2024, its programs served nearly 19,000 young people.
Mary Sutton Leadership Award
Andrea Meyer, Center for Success Network
Andrea Meyer has spent more than 20 years in education and over a decade leading OST work. Since 2015, she has helped grow Center for Success Network’s literacy-focused afterschool program and has served as its Executive Director since 2018.
Her leadership reaches beyond the organization through 313 Reads!, the Youth Development Resource Center, Great Start Collaborative, and MASP’s Partner Council. Andrea is a steady advocate for the people, programs, and investments that help young people thrive.
Rising Star (New Staff) Award
Paul Chatfield, Real Lansing FC
Paul Chatfield has helped turn a love of soccer into more opportunities for Lansing-area youth. As founder and Vice President of Real Lansing FC, he has built a community-centered club focused on access, growth, and inclusion.
Paul also guides player development and mentors coaches, helping create a consistent, supportive experience for young people. His work gives youth room to build confidence, teamwork, and skills they can carry beyond the field.
OST Advocate of the Year Award
Fran Talsma, State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs
Fran Talsma has been a persistent voice for Michigan’s OST field. As former CEO and now Chief Partnership Officer of the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs, she has brought partners together to make the case for stronger support for young people and programs.
When Section 32n funding was at risk, Fran helped mobilize leaders across the state, develop shared advocacy materials, and coordinate more than 100 legislative meetings. She continues to champion OST and mentor emerging leaders in the field.
OST Advocate of the Year Award
Nicole Liggins, Guided Grace Ministries
Nicole Liggins, President and CEO of Guided Grace Ministries, has expanded access to OST programming that supports young people’s learning, well-being, and connection.
She has also helped lawmakers understand what sustained OST investment makes possible. Through testimony and visits to her program site, Nicole has brought the experiences of young people and families into funding conversations. Her leadership strengthens both her organization and the broader OST community.