Graduate receives highest honor from state school board association

February 8, 2022 (Volume 45, Number 11)
Article by Brian Vernellis

Eric-John Szczepaniak, '20, serves as secretary of the Kenowa Hills Public Schools Board of Education.

Photo Credit: courtesy photo

Eric-John Szczepaniak, ’20, was recently honored with the President’s Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards, becoming the youngest recipient of the award.

Szczepaniak serves as secretary of the Kenowa Hills Public Schools Board of Education and is in the last year of his six-year term with the board.

After graduating from Kenowa Hills High School in 2016, Szczepaniak ran for a seat on the board, becoming its youngest and first LGBT member in board history.

“Every child deserves a champion, and I am proud to champion Kenowa Hills kids every day,” said Szczepaniak.

Since joining the Kenowa Hills Public Schools Board of Education, Szczepaniak has devoted more than 1,500 hours to professional development from the MASB.

Szczepaniak, former Student Senate president, earned a bachelor’s degree in public and nonprofit administration in 2020 and will earn a master’s degree in election administration from the University of Minnesota in May. He plans to enter law school this fall.

“My GVSU education prepared me to lead in my community and look out for those who face more and different challenges than I do,” he said.