The Detroit Promise Zone Authority (DPZA), which oversees the Detroit Promise Scholarship, has announced Onjila Odeneal as its new Chief Executive Officer.
A distinguished leader with deep roots in the community, Odeneal brings extensive experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and policy advocacy to the role. Her appointment is poised to guide the organization toward a future of expanded impact and opportunity for Detroit’s students.
The DPZA is independent, by a Board of Directors and was established by the Michigan state legislature to capture portions of taxes from Detroit’s Promise Zone to fund the scholarship. It continues to partner with and contract the Detroit Regional Chamber to provide support to students for college success through the Detroit Promise Scholarship.
The Detroit Promise ensures all eligible Detroit residents have a tuition-free path to an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or technical certificate at 32 Michigan colleges.
With scholarship work dating back to 1988, the Chamber has administered the Promise since 2013 and will continue to house the 20 employees and contractors who support the Promise at its Detroit office.
A Leader With Detroit Roots
Odeneal’s connection to the Promise’s mission is deeply rooted in her personal background. As a Detroit native and first-generation college graduate, her life experience reflects the transformative potential that the Promise aims to provide every Detroit student. She also offers a unique and powerful perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Detroit’s youth.
Odeneal brings more than 15 years of experience and a track record of significant accomplishments to her position as Chief Executive Officer. Before joining the Detroit Promise Zone Authority, she served as the Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy for The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS). In this national role, she advocated for higher education affordability and equity, and her leadership was instrumental in securing historic investments in state financial aid, creating a tangible impact on students across the country.
Locally, Odeneal previously served as Deputy Director and Acting Executive Director of the Detroit College Access Network (DCAN), where she worked to foster a culture of college attendance within the city of Detroit. Under her guidance, DCAN strengthened its partnerships and expanded its reach, providing critical resources and support to students and families navigating the path to postsecondary education.
A Vision for Growth and Student Success
Currently, the Promise has 32 partner colleges and universities as well as 61 partner high schools. To date, more than 8,000 students have received scholarships.
To learn more about the Detroit Promise and how to engage, visit detroitpromise.com.