November 17-18, 2025
Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center
Kalamazoo, MI
We hope to see you next year!
Details to come.
Dialogue by DialCare is designed to provide students, ages 11 and up, with a safe, secure and private means of seeking virtual mental health assistance from licensed mental health professionals (LMHP). This unique program offers an app-based interface, connecting students with our LMHPs over the phone or video session. LMHPs are standing by to assist students with conditions such as depression, anxiety, grief, relationship problems and more.
Contact Becca Finnegan, DialCare Sales Manager, at beccaf@dialcare.com or (817) 308-5665 today!
Joint Venture Hospital Laboratories (JVHL) includes 120+ hospitals, providing laboratory services to more than 5.4 million members. JVHL helps school counselors open new doors of exploration for students desiring a career that fuels a sense of discovery, provides lifesaving impact, and offers long-term job stability. A prepared, resilient laboratory workforce provides timely and accurate clinical data, crucial in saving lives and improving health outcomes. Connect with us to learn more!
For more information, please contact Dawn Taylor,
Recruitment Liaison at (313) 271-3692 or dtaylor@jvhl.org.
With Learning Blade you can easily integrate STEM, CS, and CTE concepts into a child’s education. Appropriate for grades 5-9, Learning Blade provides 12 “missions” that contextualize learning and engage all students, including underrepresented and special populations, while reinforcing academic standards. Each of our lessons and resources is indexed so you can see what state standards are being met. Click here for the Learning Blade Michigan Account Request.
For more information, contact John Mullin, Michigan State Manager, at john@learningblade.com.
The Path to Leadership Program (PTL) is an alternative route to earning a School Administrator’s Certificate. The certificate is required to work as a building or district leader in the state of Michigan. PTL is 100% online asynchronous learning. The cost of the program is less than a third of the cost of earning the certificate through a traditional route. MDE fully approves PTL, which has been in existence for 11 years. You can complete the program in one year or spread it out over two years.
For more information, contact Tammy Jackson, Program Director at tammy@massp.com or (231) 357-1748.
Michigan State University’s Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) empowers students to succeed in diverse industries within the agricultural sector, from farming to food processing to forestry. We offer 15 certificate programs across multiple locations statewide through partnerships with community colleges and industry leaders. With a practical, career-focused program structure, most IAT students complete their certificates in 3-4 academic semesters.
For more information, contact Justin Kunkle at kunkleju@msu.edu or (517) 285-1260.
Michigan Virtual is a nonprofit educational organization that is leading and collaborating to build learning environments for tomorrow. Driven by student success, we have a strong record of supporting Michigan education that spans more than two decades. While many know us for our research-based, quality online learning options for students and professional development for educators, we also do a great deal of work behind the scenes to conduct original research, test innovations in learning, and provide consulting partnerships to promote effective practices.
For more information, please contact Thomas Soria, Director of School Partnerships at tsoria@michiganvirtual.org or (517) 664-5464.
MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing equality of access to student financial resources and information. Through the administration of various student financial assistance programs, students receive the guidance and funding necessary to pursue their educational goals.
For more information, please contact mistudentaid@michigan.gov.
Pine Rest offers a full continuum of services including inpatient and partial hospitalization, psychiatric urgent care, residential, outpatient, telehealth, addiction treatment and recovery, extensive child and adolescent programs, senior care services, as well as specialized assessment and treatment clinics. In addition to the main campus in Grand Rapids, Pine Rest has 20 outpatient locations throughout West and Northern Michigan.
For more information, please reach out to our Contact Center at (800) 678-5500 or edph@pinerest.org.
Schools to Tools is a program of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights designed to empower students, educators, and parents to explore skilled trade career pathways. We offer free SCECH training to educators, training center campus tours, career exposure events, hiring combines, and an innovative, interactive Mobile Field Trip that brings hands-on and virtual experiences to students at their schools around Michigan.
For more information, contact Lisa Canada, Director of Special Projects at lisa.canada@hammer9.com.
TRAILS envisions a future in which all children and teens have equitable access to effective mental health services, and schools are uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. By equipping school staff with training, resources, and implementation support, TRAILS helps schools provide evidence-based, MTSS-aligned programming to their K–12 students. TRAILS offers three tiers of programming that span from universal education and awareness to crisis response.
For more information, please contact Kristi Amatuzio, TRAILS Manager of National Partnerships at (734) 945-6771 or kamatuzio@trailstowellness.org.
For busy school counselors and district administrators, Xello is the only K-12 software that genuinely engages every student in creating a plan for future success. With a program students love to use, Xello helps educators work more efficiently, effortlessly meet college and career readiness goals, and easily equip kids with the skills and knowledge to be future ready.
Learn how you can help every student, regardless of background, ability, or pathway, build their plan for future success!
For more information, contact Meghan Foster, Director of Sales at (800) 965-8541 or meghanf@xello.world.
Keynote Session
November 17, 2025| 1:00 p.m.
A planned lunch. An organized small group. A Friday afternoon. What do these things have in common? It’s that sometimes It Never Fails that our best-laid plans lead to an unexpected next crisis. It’s just part of being a school counselor. But what about all those things you do that “never fail” to lead to success? Listen as Matt shares how collaborative relationships, advocacy and well articulated goals lead to purpose and program success.
After attending this session, you will be able to:
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Matthew Berry is the Coordinator of K-12 Counseling for the second largest school district in Missouri. He is dedicated to ensuring that all students have access to learning that enhances their academic and social emotional needs. He is often sought to speak to students, educators, and leaders on a variety of topics.
Matthew will also be presenting a breakout session.
Keynote Session
November 18, 2025| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Today’s students are growing up in a world shaped by rapid social change, cultural tension, and complex identity experiences. In this keynote, Dr. Diana Virgil explores how school counselors can serve as stabilizing, culturally responsive leaders who support students through the emotional, academic, and societal realities they face. With empathy, awareness, and advocacy, counselors can help students make sense of the world around them—while building one that is safer, more inclusive, and affirming.
After attending this session, you will be able to:
● Recognize how current events and systemic issues impact student mental health and identity
● Respond to student needs using inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive practices
● Empower students to process their experiences and develop resilience in today’s world
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Diana Virgil, Ph.D., ACSC, of Alabama’s Daleville High School
Virgil has been a school counselor since 2015 and works on a campus that serves 346 students in grades 9–12. She is the 17th person to receive the national recognition and the first from Alabama. Virgil received her bachelor’s, master’s and educational specialist degrees from Mississippi College and a doctorate degree from University of the Cumberlands. She is an ASCA-Certified School Counselor, a National Certified School Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.
Many Daleville High School students are trailblazers in their families, aiming to be the first to graduate from high school. When Virgil was hired, she noticed a significant number of students weren’t participating in dual-enrollment classes due to a lack of awareness, limited college aspirations, transportation challenges and financial constraints. Virgil promptly established a partnership with the local community college to boost student enrollment. A significant turning point came when the college received a grant to provide eligible students with free tuition and books for dual enrollment, revolutionizing the opportunities for students to earn both high school and college credit. To address transportation challenges, Virgil worked with the college to implement online courses and enlisted teachers to teach dual enrollment courses at the high school. Her approaches increased the number of students in dual-enrollment courses from four to more than 40 each semester. This year, the school is on the cusp of graduating its first student with a high school diploma and an associate degree in science, along with its first student with a mechatronics certification from the aviation college. As a result of Virgil’s extensive collaboration and advocacy efforts, Daleville High School now offers dual-enrollment courses in science, English and math. For Virgil, the most rewarding part of her work as a school counselor is the opportunity to be a support system for her students.
Diana will also be presenting a breakout session.
Click the session to title to learn more
Tentative
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Open
11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Welcome and Keynote Speaker – Matthew Berry
2:50 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Breakout Session 1
3:50 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Coffee Break with Exhibitors
4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Breakout Session 2
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. President’s Reception with Exhibitors
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Exhibits Open
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker – Diana Virgil
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Breakout Session 3
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Session 4
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Celebration Lunch
1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Breakout Session 5
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Session 6
4:00 p.m. Adjourn
Conference attendees will be able to choose which breakout sessions they’d like to attend and will be eligible for college, career, military and general SCECHs, depending on which sessions they attend. More information on SCECH’s will be available at the conference.
Please visit the MSCA website and become a member or renew your annual membership. Or you can renew you membership below. Non-members receive a complimentary membership with their registration.
For questions about MSCA membership please contact, Sarah Dickman at msca1964@gmail.com.
Do you need help justifying this conference to your Supervisor? Vying for a good funding source can be challenging sometimes. We have created a letter (modeled from ASCA) you can customize to support your efforts to attend the 2025 MSCA Conference!
Monday, November 18, 2024 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Join us on the WMU campus to see the new Student Center and Dining Facility—designed to connect the lines between the classroom and student life—and learn more about Western to help advise your students. During the event, you will experience our recent campus renewal first-hand, including the student center, central campus landscaping and other building improvements. If you have previously been to the WMU Main Campus, this is your chance to see our campus makeover! Click “Learn More” to hear more about the event and to register to attend.
PROFESSIONALS / AFFILIATES
Member* $200
Non-Member** $265
Save $20 if you register by September 15th!***
GRAD STUDENTS / RETIREES
Member* $135
Non-Member** $170
*Your MSCA membership must be good through November 18, 2025 to qualify for these rates.
**Non-Member registrations include a one year membership to MSCA.
***To qualify for the early registration discount, your registration form AND payment (copy of your purchase order, check, or credit card) must be received or postmarked by the early registration cutoff date.
The online registration portal is now closed, but we will be accepting on-site registration at the event. Please bring the Registration Form (see below to download) with your method of payment to the conference.
To pay with a check or purchase order please download the registration form and send it in with your check or purchase order. Registrations cannot be processed without payment. Contact us with questions.
Please Note: If we are forced to cancel the MSCA Conference because of a “force majeure” event, such as a government restriction on large gatherings that cover the intended size of the conference, then we will issue full refunds of the registrations. Otherwise, our normal cancellation policy will be upheld: There will be no refunds after October 17, 2025. All cancellations before October 17, 2025 will be refunded less a $25 handling fee. The association is not responsible for and cannot give refunds due to problems beyond its control, such as weather and school closings.
On social distancing and other health and safety measures, the regulations/guidelines that apply to hotels and conference centers may change. The MSCA Conference will conform to all necessary regulations/guidelines that are in place as of the date of the conference.
Register online below using a credit card, or download the registration form and send it in with your payment.
To pay with a check or purchase order please download the registration form and send it in with your check or purchase order. Registrations cannot be processed without payment. Contact us with questions.
VENUE & HOST HOTEL
100 W Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Reservation information coming soon.
All events of the conference will be located at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. Standard rooms at the hotel may be reserved at a special conference rate of $174 plus tax. This rate is valid through October 24, 2025, or until rooms are no longer available in the block.
You can also book a room by calling (269) 343-3333. Be sure to mention the MSCA Fall Conference Attendee block.
OVERFLOW HOTEL
303 North Rose Street,
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Reservation information coming soon.
Home2 Suites is within quick walking distance from the Radisson. Standard rooms at the hotel may be reserved at a special conference rate of $169 plus tax. This rate is valid through November 9, 2024. Breakfast is included in the rate. Parking is $20.00 a day.
You can also book a room by calling (269) 276-0699. Be sure to mention the Michigan School Counselor Association Fall Conference.
Located in the heart of downtown Kalamazoo, you will find tons to do with your free time. Adjacent to the hotel is the Kalamazoo Mall, the first outdoor pedestrian mall in the United States. The Mall features revitalized Art Deco buildings, specialty shops, chic restaurants, unique coffee shops and lively brewpubs. You can also visit one of the many museums downtown, such the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts or the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. A short walk from the hotel is Bronson Park, sometimes referred to as Kalamazoo’s “front porch,” where you can enjoy the outdoors amidst the concrete jungle. There is tons to do around Kalamazoo, so you can learn and play!
We hope this conference will educate and equip you to do your job well, and we also hope you will take advantage of the wonderful ways you can relax and be refreshed!
National Center for Youth Issues
ATTN: MI-SCA
P.O. Box 22185
Chattanooga, TN 37422-2185
Make all checks and purchase orders payable to:
National Center for Youth Issues
The Attendee will receive an email confirmation to the email address provided when their registration is processed. (Make sure to check Junk/Spam folders.) Please allow ample time for processing.
Please contact MSCA directly with all membership questions.
Sponsors receive attendee contact information.
