MIPA’s executive board sets policy and the direction of the organization. The board includes elected officers (president, first vice president, second vice president, secretary, treasurer, four trustees and the immediate past president), and chairpersons of standing media committees (Newspaper, Yearbook, Video and Digital Media).
All officers are elected by the membership for two-year terms. The immediate past president serves a one-year term following the end of his or her two-year term as president. Committee chairs are appointed by MIPA’s president, with approval by the board.
Elected Officers
Kaitlin Edgerton
President
Kaitlin Edgerton advises The Tower and The Tower Pulse at Grosse Pointe South HS.
School: Grosse Pointe South HS
I Advise: Newspaper & Digital Media
Term Expires: 2022
Marilyn Hess
Secretary
Marilyn Hess is the newspaper adviser at Plainwell HS.
School: Plainwell HS
I Advise: Newspaper
Term Expires: 2021
Elizabeth Cyr
Trustee
Elizabeth Cyr advises the Uncaged newspaper, Uncagednews.com and The Panther yearbook at Stockbridge High School.
School: Stockbridge HS
I Advise: Newspaper & Yearbook
Term Expires: 2021
Ava Butzu
Past President
I am a total yerd and I love to help people build their programs. I love Trello. Ask me about MIPA workshops – Fall conference, spring One-Day, summer samp. I can help you navigate tons of lesson plans. And I can give you advice about attending national JEA and CSPA conventions.
School: Grand Blanc HS
I Advise: Yearbook
Term Expires: 2021
Christina Hammitt
First Vice President
Christina Hammitt has advised newspaper and yearbook at several schools in Michigan.
Term Expires: 2022
The first vice president automatically becomes president at the expiration of this term.
Betsy van der Zee
Treasurer
Betsy van der Zee advises the Pioneer Omega yearbook at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. She was appointed MIPA’s treasurer in 2014.
She has a bachelor’s degree in speech communication and theater from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in communication from Eastern Michigan University.
School: Pioneer HS
I Advise: Yearbook
Term Expires: 2021
Cody Harrell
Trustee
I love talking curriculum, best practices, and planning out long-term goals for the program you want to build in your school culture. In my four years at East Lansing, I have seen a total shift in culture for journalism’s sake — and it’s all because of MIPA.
School: East Lansing HS
I Advise: Newspaper & Yearbook
Term Expires: 2021
Heather Caid
Second Vice President
Heather Caid advises the Driftwood yearbook at Lakeshore High School in Stevensville. She was appointed to MIPA’s board in 2020 to fill the remainder of a one-year term as second vice president.
School: Lakeshore HS
I Advise: Yearbook
Term Expires: 2021
Sarah Ashman
Trustee
Sarah Ashman advises the Ramparts newspaper at Holt High School. She was previously a trustee for a partial term from 2013 to 2015. She teaches Newspaper, Intro to Journalism, Media Literacy and English 9-11.
School: Holt HS
I Advise: Newspaper
Term Expires: 2021
Michael Kaufman
Trustee
Michael Kaufman advises “CreuseLine” as the station manager for LCPS-TV at the Frederick V. Pankow Center in L’Anse Creuse Public Schools.
School: Frederick V. Pankow Center
I Advise: Broadcast Video
Term Expires: 2022
Media Standing Committee Chairs
Randy Scott
Broadcast/Video Chair
Randy Scott advises DTV at Davison High School
School: Davison HS
I Advise: Broadcast Video
Appointment Expires: 2022
C.E. Sikkenga
Newspaper Chair
A Michigan State University graduate, C.E. Sikkenga has taught at Grand Haven High School since 1992, where he has advised The Bucs’ Blade newspaper since 2000. He served as MIPA president from 2010-2012 and currently serves as the newspaper chair. C.E. has taught at the MIPA summer workshop since 2005.
School: Grand Haven HS
I Advise: Newspaper & Yearbook
Appointment Expires: 2022
Tracy Anderson
Digital Media Chair
Tracy Anderson advises The Communicator magazine and website at Ann Arbor Community High School. The publications have received Spartan awards from MIPA, Pacemakers from NSPA, Story of the Year from NSPA, Design of the Year from NSPA, and numerous other awards. She is also the recipient of a Golden Pen Award.
School: Ann Arbor Community HS
I Advise: Digital Media & Newspaper
Appointment Expires: 2022
Pam Bunka
Yearbook Chair
Pam Bunka is the retired adviser of the Fenton High School Fentonian yearbook and InPrint newspaper. Each received numerous MIPA, CSPA and NSPA awards, which include Spartan, Crown and Pacemaker awards, during her time as adviser. She is a Golden Pen recipient.
School: Fenton HS
I Advise: Newspaper & Yearbook (retired)
Appointment Expires: 2022
Advisory to the Board
Tim Morley
JEA Michigan State Director
Tim Morley advises the yearbook at Inland Lakes High School.