Saginaw Intermediate School District (Saginaw ISD) is proud to announce Gary Brasseur as the new Program Director of Great Lakes Bay Early College (GLBEC). Brasseur brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, student services, enrollment management, workforce development, and building partnerships that connect students with educational and career opportunities.
Brasseur joins GLBEC at an exciting time for the program. Great Lakes Bay Early College was recently named one of the best high schools in Michigan for a third consecutive year and the No. 1 high school in the Bay City metro area in the 2026–2027 Best High Schools rankings published by U.S. News & World Report. GLBEC also ranked No. 158 among Michigan high schools and No. 4,350 nationally, placing among the top quarter of the 17,945 public high schools ranked nationwide.
“Gary brings a tremendous depth of experience in helping students successfully navigate the transition between high school, college, and their future careers,” said Michael Lytle, Saginaw ISD Executive Director of Instructional Services. “He understands the unique opportunities available through early college and already knows GLBEC and many of the partners who make this program successful. As we celebrate the accomplishments of our students and staff and the national recognition GLBEC has received, we are excited to have Gary leading the program into its next chapter.”
Brasseur is no stranger to Great Lakes Bay Early College. Through previous leadership roles at both Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, he has worked with GLBEC and developed an understanding of the program and its partnerships. That experience gives Brasseur an established connection to the educators, school districts, and higher education institutions that make up the GLBEC community.
“I am excited for the opportunity to join Great Lakes Bay Early College and Saginaw ISD,” Brasseur said. “Having worked with GLBEC through my previous roles, I have seen firsthand the opportunities this program can create for students. I look forward to supporting our students and staff, strengthening relationships with families and our local school districts, and working alongside our college and community partners to continue creating pathways that help students successfully transition from high school to college, careers, and the next chapter of their lives.”
As Program Director, Brasseur will lead a program that provides incoming 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students with the opportunity to begin college while continuing their high school education. Through partnerships with Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, students can earn up to 60 or more college credits at no cost to their families.
Depending on their individual academic pathways, students may complete the program with an associate degree, the Michigan Transfer Agreement, an advanced certificate, or a substantial number of transferable college credits. Students also receive a high school diploma from their home district, a Michigan Early Middle College Association certificate, and an official transcript from Saginaw Valley State University or Delta College.
GLBEC students learn directly on college campuses and gradually transition into college-level coursework. GLBEC teachers provide instruction in core academic areas, while faculty from Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College teach college courses. Students receive personalized academic guidance and support as they navigate the expectations of both high school and college.
The program also includes an additional 13th year, giving students more time to complete their college coursework and credentials. Students remain connected to their home high schools and may participate in commencement ceremonies with their original graduating class before completing their final year of the early college program.
As Brasseur begins his leadership at GLBEC, his focus will be on supporting students and staff, strengthening relationships with families and local school districts, and continuing to build upon the partnerships with Delta College, Saginaw Valley State University, and regional education partners that make the early college experience possible. His appointment marks the next chapter for a program that continues to expand access to higher education and create meaningful pathways for students across the Great Lakes Bay Region.
ABOUT GARY BRASSEUR
Gary Brasseur is an experienced higher education leader who has spent more than 25 years helping students navigate their educational pathways and achieve their academic and career goals. A resident of Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, Brasseur has built his career around student success, educational access, and developing strong partnerships between schools, colleges, employers, and communities.
Throughout his career, Brasseur has served in leadership roles at Delta College, Mott Community College, Saginaw Valley State University, and with the State of Michigan. His experience includes enrollment management, academic advising, transfer admissions, career and technical education, dual enrollment, workforce development, and building partnerships that create stronger educational opportunities for students.
Having previously worked with Great Lakes Bay Early College through his roles at both Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University, Brasseur brings an established understanding of GLBEC and its college partners to his new role.
Brasseur holds a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saginaw Valley State University.
ABOUT GREAT LAKES BAY EARLY COLLEGE
Great Lakes Bay Early College is a program of Saginaw Intermediate School District offered in partnership with Bay-Arenac ISD, Midland County Educational Service Agency, Delta College, Saginaw Valley State University, and participating local school districts.
GLBEC provides incoming 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students with the opportunity to earn up to 60 or more college credits at no cost to their families while completing their high school education. Students may work toward an associate degree, the Michigan Transfer Agreement, an advanced certificate, or transferable college credits while receiving personalized academic guidance and experiencing college life firsthand.
GLBEC was named one of the best high schools in Michigan for a third consecutive year in the 2026–2027 U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools rankings, earning the No. 1 ranking in the Bay City metro area, No. 158 in Michigan, and No. 4,350 nationally.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District is an educational service agency that provides leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD supports local schools through career and technical education, early childhood services, finance, human resources, instructional services, pupil accounting, special education, technology, transportation, and other shared services.
The district also operates educational programs serving students from birth through age 26, including Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start and Early Head Start, Great Start Readiness Program and Pre-K for All classrooms, Great Lakes Bay Early College, the Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, five public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, supporting approximately 26,000 students across Saginaw County.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky
Chief of Staff and Communications Director
Saginaw Intermediate School District