About MAPSA

Quite simply, we believe in better education opportunities for every child. A better tomorrow depends on it.
A photo of MAPSA President Dan Quisenberry delivering a speech to hundreds of charter school advocates during the 2018 Charter Day at the Capitol event.
A photo of 2018 Charter School Teacher of the Year Award Finalist, Jennifer Villwock, in front of a chalkboard.
A photo of charter school students at the Lansing Capitol building during 2018 National School Choice Week.
A photo of the MAPSA staff during a holiday celebration.
A photo of students from West Michigan Aviation Academy during a school assembly.

Our Story

MAPSA, Michigan’s charter school association, represents a statewide movement of charter school stakeholders. For 23 years, we have harnessed the power of our charter community through direct and digital grassroots engagement, identifying their shared challenges and developing resources that support their work. We facilitate public support for the movement by utilizing our effective legislative and media avenues to build positive government relations and give the charter community a voice on issues that impact our students and educators.

The MAPSA team
A photo of Becky Carlton, Director of Communication Strategy for MAPSA.
Becky Carlton
Director of Communication Strategy

Collaborative communicator, creative problem solver, marketing specialist, passionate musician & education supporter.

bcarlton@charterschools.org        

517-999-4429

LinkedIn

8 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Buddy Moorehouse, VP of Public Relations & Media for MAPSA.
Buddy Moorehouse
Vice President of Public Relations & Media

Award-winning newspaper industry veteran, public relations leader, school outreach officer & husband to a Michigan charter school leader. 

bmoorehouse@charterschools.org  

517-999-4434

LinkedIn

7 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Grace Noyola, Digital Marketing and Brand Coordinator for MAPSA.
Grace Noyola
Digital Marketing & Brand Coordinator

Brand strategist, strategic designer, front-end web developer, avid dog enthusiast, Spartan grad & Lansing native.

gnoyola@charterschools.org  

517-999-4422

LinkedIn

1 YEAR
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Alicia Urbain, VP of Government and Legal Affairs for MAPSA.
Alicia Urbain
Vice President of Governmental & Legal Affairs, Attorney

Legislative policy guru, MAPSA's eyes and ears at the capitol, active hockey mom, softball coach & proud UofM supporter - Go Blue!

aurbain@charterschools.org   

517-999-4416

LinkedIn

7 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Dan Quisenberry, President for MAPSA.
Dan Quisenberry
President

MAPSA's strategic leader, government affairs & policy development veteran, business specialist & proud father and husband. 

danquisenberry@charterschools.org

517-374-9167

 LinkedIn

20 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Heather Risner, Director of Member Services for MAPSA.
Heather Risner
Director of Member Services

Our longest-serving MAPSA team member, member school relationship builder, strategic collaborator and mother of three.

hrisner@charterschools.org

517-999-4421

LinkedIn

21 YEARS
WITH MAPSA
A photo of Sara Vanderbilt, Director of Operations and Finance
Sara Vanderbilt
Director of Operations and Finance

MAPSA's team facilitator, tech whiz, our keeper of budgets, avid Nebraska Huskers fan, cyclist, traveler & youth church group volunteer.

svanderbilt@charterschools.org

517-999-4430

LinkedIn

3 YEARS
WITH MAPSA

Our culture defines us
  • We believe in an open financial model - no matter your title
  • We are technology first - as a small team, we need good tools
  • Data matters - our work is strategic, and we evaluate every project
  • We're pro-plants - greenery is a MUST 
  • You're a person first, and an employee second - balance is critical to each of us
  • We believe in good food and better coffee

We're seeking fall interns!

Want to gain key nonprofit experience in the areas of communications, events, public policy, advocacy and outreach?
View open internships
An artistic photo of Downtown Lansing.
Centrally located
Downtown Lansing
A photo of a laptop next to a notebook, pen and headphones.
Tech-friendly​ &
Mac Integrated
A photo of several students standing in a hallway and facing away from the camera.
Mission-driven​
We keep the focus on kids
A photo of several people meeting at a large table.
Collaborative & creative
We're a team first

Discover our vision for better education

Every child deserves a quality education in a quality school; in our ideal tomorrow, those quality options will be abundant and accessible. 

Our vision

MAPSA

217 S. Grand Ave. Suite 200
Lansing, MI 48933

Ph: (517) 374-9167
Fax: (517) 374-9197

mapsa@charterschools.org 

Quick Links
Copyright © 2018 MAPSA.  All Rights Reserved.