Mia Lanier-Durkins

Mia Lanier-Durkins is the College and Career Readiness and Parkridge Community Center Manager at Washtenaw Community College (WCC), where she builds meaningful connections between the college and surrounding communities. With over a decade of experience working in both K–12 and higher education, Mia has served as a teacher, advisor, interventionist, and university admissions counselor.

Before obtaining her management role, Mia served as the coordinator of student engagement in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, helping to launch the HBCU Pathway program to expand access to historically Black colleges and universities. Today, she partners with local middle schools and high schools to implement programs focused on soft skills and social-emotional learning, preparing students for life beyond graduation. Through Parkridge Community Center, she and her team host inclusive, family-friendly events that foster connection, support, and joy.

A proud Bennett College alumna, Mia holds a BA in Business Administration and an M.A.Ed. in Higher Education/Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University. She’s deeply committed to working with students from underserved communities, helping them set meaningful and attainable goals so they can graduate high school with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of direction for their future.

Outside of work, Mia enjoys bowling, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

Mia holds a BA in Business Administration and an M.A.Ed. in Higher Education/Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University.