Frances Willson Thompson Critical Issue Forum speakers

Keynote Speaker

Alycia Meriweather

Title: Deputy Superintendent for Detroit Public Schools Community District

Bio: Alycia Meriweather is currently the Deputy Superintendent for the new Detroit Public Schools Community District. Her job duties also include managing the Detroit Children’s Museum and Camp Burt Shurly, both owned and operated by DPS. She has worked in Detroit Public Schools for the last 20 years and is a life-long resident of the city of Detroit. Mrs. Meriweather is passionate about ensuring equitable education and unique learning experiences for Detroit teachers and students and has worked diligently toward this goal. Alycia is also very involved in her Southwest Detroit community and teaches as an adjunct professor at Wayne State University. She is a graduate of Detroit Public Schools, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.

Panelist

Dr. Delsa Chapman

Title: Deputy Superintendent for the Michigan Department of Education

Bio: Dr. Delsa Chapman serves as deputy superintendent of educator, student, and school support at the Michigan Department of Education. She has nearly 30 years of experience in education, all served with the Lansing School District. Dr. Chapman’s past educational work experiences include central administration appointments as deputy superintendent of the instructional division, associate superintendent for student learning, and director of high schools and magnet programs. She also served as a STEM elementary and secondary principal. As an early educator, Dr. Chapman taught high school science and became enthusiastically involved in comprehensive school reform, professional development, and student-centered thematic instruction. Dr. Chapman is a Michigan State University Education Policy Fellowship Program alumnus. She is credentialed with a bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree from Michigan State University.

Panelist

Charlotte O’Connor

Title: Owner, Charlotte O’Connor Academic Coaching, LLC

Bio: Charlotte O’Connor has over 20 years in higher education and has provided academic support to learners at all levels. During her career as an Academic Coach and Disability Resource Professional she has been employed by Schoolcraft College, Washtenaw Community College, and the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, including a stint at the U-M Medical School. In addition to academic coaching, she has served as an adjunct faculty member at Schoolcraft College, teaching student success and developmental reading courses. Currently she is self-employed, having created Charlotte O’Connor Academic Coaching, LLC in August 2022. Charlotte received a Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, a Master of Education in Learning Disabilities from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and a graduate certificate in Postsecondary Reading and Learning from California State University-Fullerton.

Panelist

Kevelin Jones II

Title: Superintendent, Flint Community Schools

Bio: Kevelin B. Jones II is the Superintendent of Flint Community Schools. He received his bachelor’s degree from Great Lakes University and master’s in education leadership from Madonna University and is currently working on his PhD. He has been a strong advocate for youth in the community and a leader in bringing mindfulness to the Flint Community Schools. Kevelin has never been shy to give back to his community, most importantly, the scholars in Flint Community Schools. His passion is to build the culture of Flint schools.

Panelist

Jason Wilson

Title: Vice President of Student Academic Success, Mott Community College

Bio: Jason Wilson is the Vice President of Student Academic Success at Mott Community College. In this role he serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the College, working with all faculty and academic leadership. Jason serves as the College’s liaison to its accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission. He also is responsible for Career and Technical Education, Professional Development and Experiential Learning, and Library Services. He also provides leadership for key student services departments including Admissions, Athletics, Counseling and Student Development, Placement Testing, Records & Registration, Student Life, Financial Aid and the Student Success Center including Disability Services, Special POPS, Peer Tutoring, TRiO and Upward Bound. Over the course of his career, Jason has served as Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Engagement and Success, Dean of Student Services, Counseling Internship Supervisor, Counseling Department Chair, and chaired a Diversity & Inclusion committee. He has also taught health professions courses. He possesses a Master of Arts in Counseling from Prairie View A & M University (TX) and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Tougaloo College (MS). He is currently working on a Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Adult Learning from Walden University.