Mya McGee

Mya McGeeHow did you first become connected with FAME?

I first learned of FAME through the Financial Aid office. I spent a lot of time there during my first two years at MSU. I can almost recall it exactly – I came to financial aid upset, overwhelmed, and exhausted. I am a first-generation college student, and my parents could hardly afford to send me off to school. After explaining my story to one of the representatives, I was introduced to FAME – the office designated to help foster youth succeed. I was immediately obsessed when I learned of the amazing work happening with the FAME Program. Not only could I benefit greatly from the resources offered, but I could also get involved, meet new people, and give back. I am forever grateful for the MSU FAME Program.

What services do you recall utilizing through FAME?

All of them! Literally, I participated in just about everything FAME had to offer. I utilized the coaching program, mentoring, the finals week survival kits, monthly life skills training, the care closet, I participated on the activities board (even became a board member) and in the campus champions opportunities. FAME became my second home. If I had a class near Baker Hall, I would go to the FAME office just to say “hello” and see who I may run into. The FAME Program is truly a highlight of my time spent at MSU.

How was FAME beneficial?

FAME helped me tremendously during my time at MSU. FAME was beneficial in providing me the coaching, tools, and skills I needed to navigate college and life thereafter. FAME also provided me a community and safe space to be. Entering college can be scary – being at the enormous Michigan State, even scarier. FAME helped manage and reduce all the fears that come with this. It was also amazing to be surrounded by other outstanding foster youth. There was no tokenism, just community.

What kept you engaged in FAME (with being so busy with academics and other on-campus organizations)?

What kept me involved with FAME was the support! The support I received from my coach, Andrea Martineau, still lingers with me today. I received support from my peers and a host of others through my FAME connections. The personalization of the support was the key for me. I would receive check-in calls, check-in emails, and visits. FAME helped me navigate some of my scariest moments at MSU. FAME became so important to me that I continued to volunteer and stay involved even when I no longer needed the support. I wanted to be a part of providing this kind of attention and support to other youth that needed it.

When did you graduate from MSU?

I graduated May 2015!

What has life after graduation looked like? What are you up to now?

So much has happened in that last 7 years since graduating from MSU. Some of my major highlights are:

  • I received my master’s degree in Social Work from Wayne State University (2019)
  • I’ve traveled the world (visiting 4/7 continents)
  • I became a fully licensed clinical Social Worker for the State of Michigan (2020)
  • I moved to Washington, DC to work on child-welfare policies and legislation at the Children’s Defense Fund (2021)
  • I became a fully licensed clinical Social Worker in the District of Columbia (2022)
  • I will be pursuing my PhD in clinical psychology at Howard University this fall (2022)

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