Ann Arbor Times

The Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition (SEMIS) at Eastern Michigan University has appointed Anna Balzer as its new director and Lisa Voelker as its director of programming. Balzer and Voelker will support educators in implementing place-based learning in classrooms across southeast Michigan.

Balzer succeeds Ethan Lowenstein, who led the SEMIS Coalition for 13 years. With extensive experience in youth leadership development and place-based learning, Balzer previously worked with the EcoWorks’ Youth Energy Squad program leadership team and served as a community engagement coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy.

“The SEMIS Coalition and place-based education model were transformational for my approach to education and leadership,” Balzer stated. “As a coalition, we learn to address complex social and ecological challenges through building relationships that range across various disciplines and ages, all rooted in the shared context of our local place.”

Balzer holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in public affairs from the University of Michigan. She is committed to uplifting young people's expertise and connecting them with community leaders to advance environmental and social justice principles.

Voelker, now entering her ninth year with the SEMIS Coalition, has been involved since its early days, initially serving as a graduate assistant. Her interest in place-based education began early due to her varied educational experiences.

“I was a student of many school systems between kindergarten and graduating high school,” Voelker remarked. “As a result, I’ve always been drawn to holistic education and creative ways of learning, and I feel we do this work in the coalition.”

Voelker holds a bachelor’s degree in visual arts education and a master’s degree in social foundations of education from Eastern Michigan University. In her new role, she aims to expand support for teachers implementing place-based education in K-12 classrooms.

Under Balzer's and Voelker's leadership, the SEMIS Coalition plans to increase access to place-based education throughout southeast Michigan. The coalition intends to focus on youth voice, civic action, and opportunities to scale place-based education. It also anticipates hosting the statewide Place-Based Education Conference at EMU in 2025.

“I am feeling so energized by the work of the coalition and all of the opportunities on the horizon for our community,” Balzer said. “It is an honor to continue to steward this legacy into its next chapter.”

For more information about the SEMIS Coalition, visit their website.

The Southeast Michigan Stewardship Coalition is part of Engage@EMU within EMU's College of Education. Formed in 2008 as part of the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, it supports transformative educational experiences through an ecojustice framework aimed at cultivating students' understanding of their communities and natural environment while empowering them as civic leaders.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849 as Michigan's second oldest public university. It serves over 13,000 students across various disciplines through numerous colleges including Arts & Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering & Technology; Health & Human Services; along with its graduate school.

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