Mayor Ron Meer today announced Nancy Smith as Director of the Michigan City Promise Scholarship program.
“I am pleased to announce Nancy Smith as the new Director of the Michigan City Promise Scholarship program,” said Mayor Meer. “Ms. Smith has had an extensive professional career that reflects the organizational, management, communications and budget skills I was looking for in a director.”
Smith has been an active volunteer for area public and private schools, and has worked with the Michigan City Area Schools on a number of projects. “Nancy has volunteered to support our efforts to increase enrollment in the 21st Century Scholars program, helping to raise awareness and assisting parents with the online application process," said MCAS Superintendent Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins. "Her knowledge of that program and post-secondary opportunities in the state has been invaluable to our students and their families, and we look forward to working with her in her new role."
As a consultant, Smith brings with her nearly 15 years of experience working on successful national marketing campaigns, directing strategy and market roll outs for products. She has been responsible for managing a $2 million marketing budget for a Fortune 100 client. Smith also worked for ten years as a consultant at KPMG in the Information Risk Management Group, developing and implementing risk management strategies and disaster recovery plans for Fortune 500 clients.
Modeled after the successful Hammond College Bound Scholarship, the Michigan City Promise program was approved unanimously by the Michigan City Common Council on August 2. It will fund scholarships of up to $5,000 per year for eligible graduates from Michigan City High School, beginning with the Class of 2017.
“The Michigan City Promise College Scholarship program represents a phenomenal opportunity for the city, Michigan City Area Schools, our corporate community, and residents,” said Mayor Meer. “The program gives students an opportunity to attend college while also providing an educated and skilled workforce for Michigan City. It will cultivate economic development, support families, and bring continued positive change for Michigan City.”