Ashley Werner, Aquinas junior and triple major in International Business, International Studies, and Spanish, is the culprit behind the Michigan Colleges Foundation Survey notices that frequently, and in great numbers, appeared on campus in February 2011. The detailed survey is the subject of great effort among Michigan students and politicians alike.

In April of 2010, Aquinas College President Ed Balog, Ph.D., appointed Werner to the first ever Van Andel Millennial Board, an organization designed to gain the youthful perspective on Michigan’s career opportunities. Werner quickly accepted her appointment, became secretary for the board, and began work on the mission to “keep Michigan talent in Michigan.”

A Minnesota native, Werner brings a unique perspective to the board’s mission. After graduating from high school, she was initially attracted to AQ’s fully developed international business program as well as the home-stay aspect of the study abroad opportunities in Spain. Though the distance from her hometown made the first semester of college an adjustment period, Werner adapted to her new location as she focused heavily on her studies and soon added Spanish and International studies as second and third majors. Currently, she is looking forward to more travel and the possibility of working for a multi-national corporation. “Everyone has something really different to offer,” Werner said.

Werner’s interest in cross-cultural communication and networking fed into a passion for making connections in the Millennial Board. The board, part of the Michigan Colleges Foundation, brings together one student representative from each school to research and discuss methods for maintaining student population in Michigan. “We want to keep students from leaving the state,” Werner said. In order to undertake this tremendous task, representatives from the board first needed to begin researching the causes of the dwindling number of youth residents. The students and faculty members soon developed a survey which would determine student perception of Michigan opportunities, as well as the reasons behind leaving the state in favor of other regions.

Though each of the representatives conducted the survey at their respective schools, Werner experienced the highest percentage of student response on the Aquinas campus. This was in part due to the College’s donation of $500 toward student tuition for one lucky survey respondent. After collecting the statistical information, Werner and her fellow student representatives will analyze the reasons for youth departure and begin to develop programs that will allow for a higher rate of Michigan student retention.

During the board meetings, held once a semester in Lansing to discuss individual progress, the relationships between students allow for the accomplishing of group goals. “It’s those personal relationships that really get things done,” said Werner. As the current representatives become seniors, they look forward to focusing on the retention of high school students and maintaining a positive perception for Michigan’s millennial generation.