Biography

Terra Luckett has been dedicated to K-12 education for 25-year. She served as a biology teacher, college guidance counselor and Principal of Apache Trail High School in Apache Junction, Arizona.  Apache Trail is an alternative rural high school centered is a closely knit community where educational resources were scarce.  She was able to cultivate student growth and proficiency model that took her school from underperforming to college ready.  This was done through partnership with Central Arizona College.  Students were given the opportunity to have access to advanced classes, access to technology and mentorship. 

Ms. Luckett returned to Michigan to be closer to family after the pandemic.  She continued her work with student success at Hope College where she was the Executive director of the Children’s After School Achievement (CASA). This program provided student service learning for College of Education majors.  This program serves underrepresented students in Holland, Michigan who need support with literacy and math reasoning.  Over the course of her extensive career in education her primary focus has been student centered success and learning.  

Saginaw Valley State University is one of two universities that has received the Rural Pathways Grant for student success.  Ms. Luckett was named the Director in December 2022.  This program is aimed at supporting pre-college and SVSU rural students.  The program will provide mentors for rural students who need additional support. Our goal is to support students through their higher education transition and first year at SVSU.  

The Rural Pathways office is looking to connect with rural communities who struggle with higher education support. We would like to connect with key personnel to ensure that future cardinals are supported and encouraged. In the words of Ron Lewis, “Ensuring quality higher education is one of the most important things we can do for future generations.” SVSU is on the front of student focused success through integrity and community connections.