About Us » Staff
Caitlynn Upton, M. Ed. - Program Manager
Caitlynn is an instructional design professional with a passion for young adult learning. She joined our team in June of 2022 as a program manager and oversees our College Success Mentoring Program, a virtual mentoring for our alumni who are now in trade school or college. She brought with her several years of experience in workforce prep, college access, and retention.
Caitlynn began her career as an AmeriCorps college adviser with the Michigan State University College Advising Corps where she supplied personalized career and post-secondary coaching to rural students and families. She was nominated for the Peter and Laurie Grauer True North award for her focus on skilled trade pathways and incorporating gamification into the coaching curriculum and was selected to serve on the College Advising Corps CEO Advisory Council. Caitlynn helped launch the Summer Success Program with the Blue Water College Access Network to increase matriculation in St. Clair County and supported the development of virtual college preparatory enrichment and academic development programs at Wolverine Pathways with the University of Michigan. Most recently, Caitlynn counseled students and families as a financial aid officer at Wayne State University.
“We rise by lifting others,” said Caitlynn. “I am here because of all the incredible mentors I have had in my life, and it is a privilege to provide the same opportunity for others.”
Caitlynn is a Warren native and graduated from Warren Mott High School. She spent a year as a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Scholar in Germany and went on to receive her bachelor's from James Madison College at Michigan State University in social relations & policy in 2017. She earned her Master of Education in learning design & technology at Wayne State University in 2023. Caitlynn also enjoys teaching eco-friendly art workshops around Metro Detroit, hiking, and kickboxing.