Aurora Lemieux-McKissic, a lifelong Lansing resident and graduate of the Lansing School District, is running for the Lansing Public School Board in the Nov. 3 general election.

Lemieux-McKissic has held the seat since January 2026, when the Board of Education appointed her to fill a vacancy. The opening was created after Deyanira Nevárez Martinez resigned to join the Lansing City Council, the Lansing State Journal reported.

“I want students to feel informed, heard, and included in decisions that impact their education,” Lemieux-McKissic told Surround Sound News in a written questionnaire submitted Sept. 30. She said she also wants to strengthen how the district prepares students for life after graduation.

Candidate information

Office sought: Lansing Public School Board (nonpartisan)

Election date: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026

Residence: Lansing, Michigan

The following background information comes from Lemieux-McKissic’s written questionnaire to Surround Sound News.

Education: She attended Pleasant View from kindergarten through seventh grade and graduated early from Everett High School at 16. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in marketing from Northwood University after attending Lansing Community College. She credited the Lansing Promise scholarship with helping her complete her education with minimal student debt.

Occupation: She serves as career and education director at Capital Area Michigan Works!, connecting education with workforce opportunities. Previously, she worked at the Lansing Economic Area Partnership supporting small business and entrepreneurship programs. She also founded MI Path, a Lansing-based program and project management consulting business.

Party affiliation: Lemieux-McKissic personally identifies as a Democrat but believes school board service should remain focused on students, families and educators.

Family ties to the district: Her grandmother graduated from Sexton High School in 1976, her father graduated from Sexton in 1998, and her younger brother is senior class president at Everett High School. Her mother works for the City of Lansing as director of the Financial Empowerment Center. She said no one in her family works in politics or holds elected office.

Experience and public service

Lemieux-McKissic is listed as a trustee on the district’s official board roster. She said she has served on committees, participated in major district decisions and continued learning about the policies, finances and operations of the district.

She was the youngest recipient of the Lansing Regional Chamber’s 10 Over the Next 10 award. The chamber’s 2024 announcement confirms she received the award. She also said she won first place in the 2025 Michigan College Access Network Take Flight pitch competition for a career readiness concept.

On the issues

Student readiness after graduation: Lemieux-McKissic said one of the district’s biggest challenges is making sure every student is academically prepared and ready for life after graduation.

“A diploma should represent more than completing high school,” she told Surround Sound News. “Students should leave us with strong literacy and math skills, an understanding of their options, and a realistic plan for what comes next.”

She said she wants stronger connections between students and college, careers, skilled trades and entrepreneurship. She also wants students included in those conversations.

“We should regularly hear from them about what is working, what isn’t, and what they need to feel prepared for their futures,” she said.

Balancing competing priorities: Lemieux-McKissic described academic achievement, mental health, school safety and teacher retention as connected priorities.

“Students can't reach their full academic potential if they don’t feel safe, supported, and mentally well, and we can't provide a strong education without great teachers and staff who feel valued and supported,” she told Surround Sound News.

She said she believes in using data, listening to students and staff, and evaluating whether programs are producing results. The district must be realistic about its budget, she said.

“The goal shouldn't be choosing one priority over another, but building a strong system where those priorities support each other,” she said.

Background and perspective: Lemieux-McKissic said she brings lived experience as a recent district graduate, professional experience in career and education, and current board experience.

“I believe my age provides an important perspective while my professional and Board experience allow me to bring that perspective to the work responsibly,” she told Surround Sound News.