A future public administrator and a college freshman inspired by her time as a township co-op student are among the 2025 MTA Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship recipients. Additional students receiving awards this year include a public servant seeking to further her service to her community and an active township volunteer and election worker heading to college.
This year marks the largest group of scholarship recipients in recent memory, following eligibility expansion earlier this year to include all college students pursuing a career in public service as well as individuals, including high school students, seeking coursework or training to begin or continue service to their community. Meet the 2025 Robinson Scholarship recipients:
‘There is power in helping others’ Doug Ferguson is pursuing his master’s in Public Administration, with a concentration in State, Regional and Local Government, from Grand 
Valley State University (GVSU). With aspirations to serve as a public administrator following his anticipated graduation in April 2026, he said his goals in that role include “encouraging public and civic engagement, establishing trust between community and local government, providing a safe and exciting place for families to call home, and embracing and incorporating climate-forward solutions into local operations and planning.”
Through his academic, personal and professional experiences, Ferguson has fostered numerous opportunities to serve Michigan’s communities and residents. He has worked as an election inspector and precinct chair in his hometown of Baldwin Township (Iosco Co.) since 2018, and has also served as an election inspector for the City of Grand Rapids during the academic year. After earning a degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan in 2022, Ferguson served as band director for Clarenceville Schools for two years, and was also music director for the Alternative Education Academy in Tawas City while pursuing his bachelor’s degree, securing grant funding for the organization. At GVSU, Ferguson is secretary/communications director for the university’s chapter for the International City/County Management Association and is a graduate assistant for the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office. These experiences have well prepared Ferguson for a career in public service. “Through my experiences in Baldwin Township, my time as a public educator, my engagement with professional development organizations and my coursework at Grand Valley, I am confident that I will be able to serve my future community well,” he said. “A career in public service is a special responsibility,” Ferguson continued. “Local governments not only ensure the public resources are put to the most efficient use, but more importantly, they help curate community connections. At a time when humanity is becoming increasingly isolated and politics are becoming increasingly hostile, local governments bear the responsibility and the opportunity to help connect our neighbors and focus on the things that truly matter to us. Citizens work hard for what they have, and ensuring that everyone has access to the benefits of our democracy is essential to harnessing growth, building community and living well. Our townships are crucial to these goals, and I am excited to continue my career in public service after my graduation.” With the “list of challenges that local administrators face,” Ferguson made a conscious effort to focus on a “positive solution to the unique issues faced by townships” when writing his scholarship essay, which discussed the power of collaboration. “There is power in helping others and engaging in symbiotic collaborations,” he wrote. “From businesses collaborating to uplift each other to municipalities collaborating to provide effective public safety services, our ability to be collectively efficient may be one of our most powerful tools in managing local government.” Ferguson witnessed the value of collaboration firsthand, as his father served for many years as chief of the Tawas Police Authority, which provided police coverage to numerous municipalities in the county. “Watching my dad serve my community through law enforcement gave me my passion for public service,” Ferguson said. “I am excited to earn my master’s [degree] and be a collaborative leader in whatever municipality I land.”
‘A vital role in improving residents’ lives’ As Charleigh Glasser begins her freshman year at Alma College, she is bringing with her a new perspective on the value of local government in serving Michigan’s residents. During her senior year at Ogemaw Heights High School, Glasser was offered a co-op student position with Edwards Township (Ogemaw Co.), a work-based learning experience—and front row view of township operations and serving communities. The experience was eye-opening. “I had no idea how much impact local government had on my community,” Glasser said. “I quickly learned that the township plays a vital role in improving residents’ lives and making daily life better. 
What stood out most was how local government allows you to see the changes happening in real time.” The experience inspired the high school athlete—who excels at track and field and competitive swim—to pursue a career in public service, with plans to seek a degree in pre-law or public administration. During her time with the township, Glasser attended meetings and worked at elections, noting, “During the presidential election, I had the opportunity to assist adults who had never voted before. Helping my community in that way gave me a deep sense of fulfillment— truly the icing on the cake!” Glasser even spoke at an Ogemaw County MTA Chapter meeting, sharing with attendees the value of township co-op positions. Among her contributions during her time working at the township was an intensive project—which she conceptualized and spearheaded—to digitize and organize all township records into a centralized cloud-based system for increased accessibility and efficiency. In addition to ease of use for township officials and staff, Glasser noted that the new system improved the township’s ability to quickly respond to a lengthy Freedom of Information Act request, with requested records easily available in a digitized format. “I believe this kind of transparency builds trust and confidence among our community members,” she said. “I am proud of the contribution I’ve made, and I hope it sets an example for how small governments can improve transparency and collaboration through technology.” In addition to her athletics and work at the township, Glasser was also a member of the National Honor Society and both Girl Scouts and Scouts of America, and volunteer for Relay for Life and at Surline Elementary School. Glasser values the recognition of receiving a 2025 Robinson Scholarship. “This was the one scholarship I truly hoped to receive,” she said. “As someone involved in my township and MTA, I understand how important local government is. Being selected made me incredibly proud— not just of myself, but also of the support my township has given me along the way.”
‘Mission to serve and strengthen our local community’ Zoann Hallam is no stranger to serving others, and serving her community. For more than a decade, she has held various emergency services roles. Following her graduation from Hope College, she worked in the school’s campus safety department as a safety communications dispatcher/operator. She then spent six years as a 9-1-1 dispatcher for Ottawa County, and has been a firefighter/emergency services technician with Graafschap Fire Department since 2016, serving Laketown Township and portions of Fillmore Township (Allegan Co.). “I have dedicated my career and academic pursuits to strengthening local government and public safety, focusing on making a meaningful impact at the municipal level,” said Hallam, who also serves as Laketown Township deputy clerk and is pursing a master’s degree in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University. “I’ve always been drawn to work that makes a direct impact, firefighting, EMS, dispatch—boots-on-the-ground roles where you show up, get your hands dirty, and help people in real time,” she said. “I think I’ll always feel that pull. But I’ve also come to see how important it is to be in the spaces where polici
es are shaped, decisions are made and community needs are addressed more broadly.The work done behind the scenes in local government lays the foundation for everything else. I want to continue contributing both on the ground and in those conversations, helping build strong, responsive systems that truly serve the people who rely on them.” As deputy clerk, Hallam plays an integral role in local election administration, witnessing first-hand the impact of Election Law changes in recent years. Her scholarship essay focused on the financial impact of these changes on local governments. “Ultimately, while early voting and expanded voter accessibility efforts have merits, the financial burdens they impose cannot be ignored,” she wrote. “Policymakers at the state level must carefully weigh the benefits of increased voter participation against the fiscal realities of maintaining these initiatives. Cost-sharing agreements and more efficient voting models may offer solutions, but without careful planning and cooperation, smaller jurisdictions may find themselves struggling under an unsustainable financial load.” Receiving the scholarship not only offers Hallam financial support, it is also serves as a recognition of her commitment to service and community. “It’s incredibly validating to know that organizations like MTA are invested in people like me— those who are committed to local government and public service,” she said. “It reminds me that my goals matter and that there are others who believe in the importance of this work. I’m grateful for the support and encouragement as I take this next step.”
‘Delivering work that genuinely benefits others’ Though he just graduated from Grant High School, Robert VeltKamp has spent a great deal of time giving back to his township and the greater community—and these experiences have led him to consider a career in local government as he pursues business management and accounting degrees from Muskegon Community College. In addition to assisting Grant Township (Newaygo Co.) with its annual township clean-up days and cemetery clean-up efforts as well as Memorial Day flag placement services, VeltKamp also worked as a certified election inspector for local, state and federal elections at two township locations and a county early voting site. “These work opportunities have provided me with some insight and experience that will assist in decision-making as I move forward in my studies and research the possibilities open to me,” he said. “I am drawn to a career in local government or public service because I am deeply concerned about my community and aspire to contribute to its improvement,” he continued. “This field offers me the opportunity to engage in tangible changes that directly impact the daily lives of individuals. I believe in the significance of active listening, 
collaborative problem-solving and delivering work that genuinely benefits others. Local government and public service provide the platforms for such endeavors.” His time working with the township has proven beneficial and influential on several levels. “Being the recipient of this scholarship shows me that the time I’ve spent within the township learning election processes, attending meetings or working at the cemetery all mean something,” VeltKamp said. “The board members are appreciative of my efforts, which in turn inspires me to continue helping when and wherever needed.”
VeltKamp is also an active member in Royal Neighbors, assisting community members in need, including preparing food for a local food pantry and helping with food and clothing drives, as well as participating in other group and church youth activities. His own community was the inspiration for VeltKamp’s scholarship essay, which examined the need for—and lack of—affordable housing, an issue felt both throughout the state and across the country. “The current housing shortage is making it difficult for the township to grow and thrive as tax revenues remain low,” he wrote. “It’s not just about buildings—it’s about the people who want to call this place home and are finding it nearly impossible to do so.” As Grant Township works to update its master plan, reviewing wants and needs for the future, VeltKamp encouraged community members to get involved in the process, particularly students and young adults. “I encourage other young people to get involved, attend public meetings and provide their input,” he wrote. “This is our future these decisions will impact!”
‘A strong commitment to education and serving Michigan’s residents’ MTA’s Robinson Scholarship was created in honor of the second executive director and former Meridian Charter Township (Ingham Co.) supervisor Robert R. Robinson to ensure that Michigan’s future local leaders continue to value and protect township government and the Michigan residents it serves. Since its inception in 1987, the scholarship has been awarded to more than 100 students seeking to serve their community and Michigan local governments. Each of this year’s recipients’ community involvement and future goals made them ideal candidates for the annual award. “MTA created this scholarship to honor the legacy of long-time township advocate and past MTA Executive Director Robert Robinson by fostering future local leaders,” said Marilyn Strickland, Scholarship Committee chair and Newton Township (Mackinac Co.) treasurer, who also serves as MTA District 4 director. “These individuals have demonstrated a strong commitment to both their education and to working toward a career serving Michigan’s residents. We wish them each the very best in their future endeavors in public service.”
Support Michigan’s future leaders
Township officials and MTA county chapters can help ensure that MTA is able to continue supporting the educational pursuits of tomorrow’s township leaders by making a donation to support the Robert R. Robinson Scholarship fund. Contributions are tax deductible. Checks payable to the Robert R. Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund can be sent to MTA, PO Box 80078, Lansing, MI 48908-0078. Learn more on michigantownships.org (under the “About” tab) or call (517) 321-6467 with questions.