Staff Reports
Luz Elena Michel received the Indiana Civil Rights Commission “Trailblazer Award” at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Indiana Holiday Celebration in Indianapolis.
Michel received the award honoring her support of minority groups in Bartholomew County, including the group Latinx, which works with disabled, single mothers, homeless children and the elderly to improve their lives through education and training to secure employment.
She has served as the Latino Education Outreach and program manager at the Community Education Coalition in Columbus since 2011. She also works with adult education providers, Su Casa Columbus, Vecinas and the United Way of Bartholomew County to connect Latino adults with community services.
The Community Education Coalition said Michel has worked with thousands of Latino students and parents locally and in surrounding counties to improve their understanding of the education system. Her work has significantly helped high school graduation rates and attending college rates.
Recently, her work has expanded to include adding college and career coaches supporting middle school and high school students.
