Traverse City Area Public Schools has been named one of twelve 2026 Education Excellence Award winners, receiving a $2,500 grant for their program, “Student Support Network.”
Each year, the SET SEG Foundation hosts the Education Excellence Awards in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), granting funds to public school programs that change lives and impact students’ futures. In addition to the grant, award recipients receive an “Education Excellence Winner” road sign and a commemorative trophy to proudly display their accomplishment in the community. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Foundation was able to increase giving to 12 awards in 2026, up from 10 in previous years.
The Student Support Network is designed to address the basic needs of students in an effective, timely manner, rooted in the belief that academic success is directly linked to social and emotional well-being. By providing free academic and non-academic support to over 1,500 students annually, the program leads to measurable improvements in attendance, academic performance, and self-esteem while reducing barriers to learning like behavioral issues, housing insecurity, personal care, and lack of basic human needs. The Student Support Network reaches far outside school walls, involving the greater Traverse City community to create a system of care through partnerships, commitment, and outreach throughout the entire year, not just September to June.
“Studies show that meeting basic needs of students has a direct impact on their academic achievement,” said Molly Mellema, SET SEG Foundation Executive Director. “The Student Support Network has created a safety net of resources to support students so that they can fully participate in school and their communities. The Foundation is proud to help grow the impact of the network, funding critical care resources that positively impact students’ daily life and education.”
The SET SEG Foundation is the philanthropic arm of SET SEG, a risk management organization serving Michigan public schools. The SET SEG Foundation is fueled by its mission to enable students to pursue enrichment opportunities that advance learning, leadership, and civic responsibility by providing services, scholarships, and grants directly to Michigan public schools and their students.
For more about SET SEG Foundation, visit setseg.org/foundation.