For high school students, it’s not just about choosing a college —  it’s about feeling seen, supported and set up to thrive.

College Decision Day, observed each year on May 1, marks the deadline for most high school seniors across the U.S. to commit to a college. The Detroit College Access Network (DCAN), a nonprofit focused on increasing postsecondary access and success, turns this milestone into a yearly salute to student achievement and aspiration. In this Q&A, DCAN Executive Director Cyekeia Lee shares why celebrating this day matters.

Q: College Decision Day isn’t just about picking a school. Why do you believe it’s so important to celebrate high school seniors and their next steps?

A: College Decision Day is a powerful extension of DCAN’s mission. It’s more than a milestone —  it’s a moment of community pride, recognition and visibility for students who have worked tirelessly to reach their next chapter. In Detroit, where students often face systemic barriers to opportunity, shining a spotlight on their postsecondary commitments, whether it’s college, skilled trades, military or career training, is an act of empowerment. It reinforces to students: your journey matters, your dreams are valid and your city is cheering you on. For families, this celebration affirms their sacrifices and the hopes they’ve carried for their children. For the broader community, when we publicly honor student success, we shift the narrative from deficit to possibility and in doing so, we inspire younger students, engage families and reinforce a culture of achievement. Decision Day helps normalize success and fosters a culture of aspiration in our schools.

Q: What have you heard from students about what the celebration means to them?

A: Over the years, we’ve seen students who once stood on the Decision Day stage go on to attend institutions like Harvard, the University of Michigan and many others. What’s more meaningful is that we’ve had the opportunity to follow up with these students and hear how that day gave them a sense of confidence. For some, it was the first time they were publicly celebrated for their academic choices. For others, it was a turning point that made them feel like college was not just possible but expected. Events like Decision Day are how we turn hope into momentum and build a college-going culture that endures long after graduation day.

Q: How does DCAN help students overcome hurdles on the path to college and what role do support networks play in helping students take the next step to higher education?

DCAN exists to ensure that no Detroit student has to navigate the path to college alone. Students face persistent challenges like financial hardship, lack of access to one-on-one guidance, or being the first in the family to take this journey. That’s why our work is centered around building a strong, connected ecosystem of support that wraps around students from high school through postsecondary success. Through initiatives like FAFSA Cafés, College Admitted Days, Summer Melt resources and citywide events like Decision Day, we provide direct support to help students complete applications, secure financial aid and understand their options. Our Detroit College Match tool helps students find best-fit schools, and our partnerships with counselors, community organizations and near-peer mentors ensure that students are seen, heard and guided every step of the way. Support networks including educators, nonprofits and philanthropic leaders are the backbone of this work. Together, we create a web of resources that help students not only access college but thrive once they get there.

Q: In line with the state of Michigan and Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), DCAN’s goal is for 60% of Detroit residents to achieve a form of postsecondary education by 2030. What changes would make the biggest difference in helping more Detroit students get to and through college?

A: We must support policies that remove structural barriers for Detroit students. This includes fully funding need-based financial aid like the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, expanding access to dual enrollment and early college programs, and simplifying the financial aid process so families aren’t left behind due to administrative complexity.

DCAN is actively advocating for these changes by lifting student and counselor voices through policy roundtables, partnering with the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) to push for FAFSA completion support, working with The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) to amplify the needs of Detroit students, and engaging state and local leaders to prioritize equitable funding for Detroit schools and college access programs. We also champion data transparency and funding for success initiatives that support students after high school, because getting into a post-secondary program isn’t enough —  students need to get through those programs.

Q: Why is support for college access and success programming such a meaningful investment?

A: This support translates into real change by removing barriers — financial, informational and emotional — that often stand between students and their postsecondary goals. For many Detroit students, especially first-generation or under-resourced youth, access to guidance, encouragement and concrete resources can be the difference between pursuing higher education or pausing their aspirations. Every dollar contributed, every mentor engaged, and every celebration hosted is a step toward increasing college enrollment, degree attainment and ultimately, career readiness. In turn, this creates a ripple effect — more educated residents mean a stronger workforce, increased economic mobility and a more vibrant Detroit.