Mission Statement

Students for Life of Michigan (SFLM) is an organization of pro-life college students formed to promote a culture of life on college campuses in Michigan. We serve as a resource for pro-life college students, as we work to form new Students for Life groups on campus and build communication among existing groups in Michigan. We also aim to raise awareness about pregnancy, parenting, and adoption resources available to college students, as well as support for those suffering from an abortion experience.

Student Officers

President – Lauren Migliore (Kalamazoo College)
E-mail: migliore@sflmichigan.org

Lauren Migliore, a Economics major hailing from Allen Park, Michigan, is currently in her senior year at Kalamazoo College. She has been involved in Students for Life of Michigan since the beginning—serving as the first Vice President of the group during her sophomore year and directing the annual SFLM Conference for the past two years. In addition, she co-founded and led the Kalamazoo College Students for Life as the group's President in 2005-06. She is very honored to preside over SFLM this year and is excited to put into motion her set of ambitious goals for this important organization this upcoming year.

Vice-President – Joanie Barrett (Wayne State University)
E-mail: barrett@sflmichigan.org

Joanie Barrett is a student in the Physician Assistant Program at Wayne State University. She has been involved in pro-life activities since childhood with her family, was President of Students for Life at Wayne State during the 2005-2006 school year and President of Students for Life of Michigan during the 2006-2007 school year. She also worked as an intern for Students for Life of America from January-May 2007 and volunteered as a peer-counselor at Imago Dei Crisis Pregnancy Cener from 2004-2006.

Public Affairs Officer – Chaunie Saelens
E-mail: saelens@sflmichigan.org

Chaunie Saelens is the Founder and President of Students for Life at Saginaw Valley State University and the new Publicity Director of Students for Life of Michigan. Chaunie is earning her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and minoring in Professional and Technical Writing. Chaunie works as a nurse extern in labory and delivery at MidMichigan hospital in Midland and hopes to work in a woman's advocacy related field after her graduation in May '08. She has been involved in pro-life work since highschool, and interned with Feminists for Life in 2007.

Outreach Director – Mikhail Fedewa
E-mail: fedewa@sflmichigan.org

Mikhail Fedewa is a senior majoring in American Public Policy, with a minor in Communications. He is working as Outreach Director to expand the network of the Pro-life movement. Many may be suprised to believe that he once was a believer in the pro-choice argument. About one year ago, his mind and heart were opened up to the importance of protecting the unborn while on Students for Life of Michigan's annual trip to Washington D.C. He invites everyone to talk to just one friend or family member about life issues, and expand the base of our important message.

Co-Conference Director – Paula Barrett
E-mail: pbarrett@sflmichigan.org

Paula Barrett is a junior at Wayne State University studying special education and Spanish. She has been involved in pro-life work ever since she can remember and is looking forward to a successful year with Students for Life of Michigan.

Co-Conference Director – Lynette Wilhelm
E-mail: wilhelm@sflmichigan.org

Lynette Wilhelm is the founder and president of Students for Life at Hillsdale College. She is a senior political science major and has been active in pro-life work on campus since she started the group in the fall of 2005. Lynette interned this past summer at the Students for Life of America headquarters in Arlington, VA, and helped prepare for their Field Program for the fall of 2007. Hillsdale College Students for Life was recognized on campus in the spring of 2006 as a recipient of Omicron Delta Kappa's Excellence in Leadership Through Service award for its contribution to the school and community.

March for Life Director – Maria Pate
E-mail: pate@sflmichigan.org

Maria Pate is a senior at Northwood University. She is a triple major in Advertising, Marketing, and Management and a Spanish minor. Through Northwood College Republicans, she founded Northwood's Students for Life chapter in Winter of 2006. This spring, she also took on the position of March for Life Chair for Students for Life of Michigan. In addition to these positions, she also has two board positions within her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, and positions in three other campus organizations. She is a very dedicated pro-lifer and is looking forward to a great year!

Publications Director – Mark Robertson
E-mail: robertson@sflmichigan.org

Board of Directors

Katie Wilcox - Chair

Katie Wilcox is currently a student at Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she serves as Vice President of the Lex Vitae Society, Republican National Lawyers Association, and Italian American Lawyers Society. Most recently, Katie served as Chair of Michigan Students for Brownback and looks forward to being a summer associate at a law firm in Lansing this summer.

Katie began her involvement in the pro-life movement as a volunteer for Right to Life of Michigan during her junior year of high school. She subsequently founded the Students for Life club at Lansing Catholic High School. In college, Katie planned the first statewide pro-life rally at Michigan State University as a freshman and became Co-President of Michigan State University Students for Life (MSU SFL) that year. She then served as President of MSU SFL for two years, before founding Students for Life of Michigan (SFLM) as a senior in college and serving as President of SFLM during its first year of existence. Katie also held a position as an Outreach Director for Students for Life of America for two years. Throughout college, Katie held leadership positions in several political student organizations, participated in numerous campaigns for pro-life politicians, and interned for pro-life elected officials. Katie currently serves as Chair of the SFLM Board of Directors.

Joy Yearout - Vice Chair

Joy Yearout is the Political and Legislative Director for the Susan B. Anthony List. Joy is a 2004 graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University. She is responsible for tracking and maintaining relationships with pro-life candidates in Congressional and statewide races who receive SBA List Candidate Fund endorsements. Joy also assists with Congressional outreach by working with various Capitol Hill legislative offices and tracking pro-life legislation.

Prior to joining the Susan B. Anthony List, Joy served as Chief of Staff to State Representatives Robert Gosselin (R-Troy) and Rick Baxter (R-Concord) in the Michigan State Legislature. Joy is past Co-President of Michigan State University Students for Life.

Kelly Harrigan - Secretary

Kelly Harrigan holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Social Sciences from Elmira College and a Juris Doctorate with a concentration in Business Transactions from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is passionate about the life issue having worked as the Assistant Director of a pro-life women's center in Lansing where she balanced administrative tasks with counseling and empowering clients. Kelly currently serves as Project Manager for the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative with the Attorney General's Office. Before that, she spent a year traveling the state as Coalitions Director for the DeVos for Governor campaign. Kelly's greatest accomplishment is her nine-year-old son, Ryan.

Joanie Barrett - Treasurer

Joanie Barrett is a student in the Physician Assistant Program at Wayne State University. She has been involved in pro-life activities since childhood with her family, was President of Students for Life at Wayne State during the 2005-2006 school year and President of Students for Life of Michigan during the 2006-2007 school year. She also worked as an intern for Students for Life of America from January-May 2007 and volunteered as a peer-counselor at Imago Dei Crisis Pregnancy Cener from 2004-2006.

Josh Mercer - Member

Josh Mercer was one of the co-founders of Students for Life of Michigan and currently serves on its Board of Directors. For four years, Josh served as Chairman of Students for Life of America (SFLA), and has been involved with SFLA since 2001. Having reported for the National Catholic Register, and worked at the Leadership Institute, Josh has spent many years working in the campus pro-life movement.

One its co-founders, Josh is Communications Director for Fidelis. He also is Director of the Marian Center in Petoskey, Michigan, where he lives with his wife Lori, their daughter Anne, and a second baby due in February. Josh is an alumus of Hillsdale College.