BMCC Student Success Stories
Alumni – Ann Belleau
Class of 2006 – Early Childhood Education, Emphasis Administration, Associate of Arts
Class of 1987 – Secretarial Science, Associate of Applied Science
This month, BMCC is proud to profile Ann Belleau as our featured alumni. Ann was BMCC’s very first graduate and has come a long way since then, working her way up to become the Director for Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in eight Michigan Tribal Communities, including the Bay Mills Indian Community Head Start Program. She has distinguished herself nationally, as a board member for the National Indian Head Start Director’s Association Board of Directors, and as a member of the BMCC Advisory Committee for Early Childhood Education. We asked her a few questions about her experience completing a degree that was largely online and her successes after graduation.
Q How did you originally learn about BMCC?
A I am originally from Bay Mills, and I grew up here. Since the college is located in the community, I have always been aware that it is here. During my years growing up within the Bay Mills Indian Community, I can remember my dad working with some of the people at the college. It was the natural choice for me when I decided to return to pursue a degree.
Q What is your favorite memory or positive experience at BMCC?
A The ability to learn online has been very positive for me. As someone that is very busy and raising a family, online courses are what worked best for me. I was able to fit in the course work when I had the time, while still working full-time and making sure my family came first.
I liked the online course delivery, as it fit into my lifestyle, but I also liked being involved with a small college where it was easy to find the resources or help I needed to complete my studies. Bay Mills Community College offers an individualized, more personalized experience.
Q Did you go on to complete a four year degree or did you go directly into a job?
A. While completing my two year degree, I continued to work full time as a Head Start Director. I have not gone on to complete a four year degree at this time. However, if BMCC offers the degree that I need online, in the future, I will work toward the 4 year degree.
Q What are you doing now?
A Professionally, I am working full-time as a Head Start Director, administering Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in eight Michigan Tribal Communities.
I am also working with a research project called Wiba Anung, which is a collaborative of Michigan State University, the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, and Bay Mills Community College developing a long-term community-based participatory research and program development partnership to improve outcomes for children enrolled in Michigan-based American Indian Head Start/Early Head Start programs. Wiba Anung aims to insure that all teachers in American Indian Head Start and Early Head Start have high quality training with a minimum of a bachelor's degree and specialized training in early childhood education and culturally relevant curricular content. Continued education and professional development of teachers and administrators alike is crucial to ensuring more positive outcomes for children in Head Start/Early Head Start.
I am also currently serving on the National Indian Head Start Director’s Association Board of Directors, having been the Regional 1 Representative in the past.
Personally, I am a wife and mother of 4 daughters. My oldest is away at college, and I have 12 year old and twin 10-year olds still at home.
Q How did BMCC prepare you for continuing studies or for the workplace?
A BMCC provided me with the course work needed to obtain a degree in the early childhood field and well as several business courses that enhanced my work as an administrator for an early childhood program
Q Where do you live now?
A I live within the Bay Mills Indian Community.
Q Do you still have family in the local area?
A The majority of my family lives in the Bay Mills Community.