In November of 2016, at the age of 18, Eric-John was elected to the Kenowa Hills School Board, becoming the body's first LGBTQ+ and youngest elected official. In April of 2019, Eric-John was also elected Student Body President at Grand Valley State University where he attends college full-time studying Public & Nonprofit Administration. At both institutions, he has enacted policy that requires LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination in hiring and service practices for any private vendor that does business with either governing board. Eric-John is passionate about providing teachers the supports needed to best serve all students, serving on two county-wide professional development committees focused on school mental health and personalized learning. He also serves as Board President for the Michigan Center for Civic Education.

In September of 2019, MI Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson appointed Eric-John to the Collegiate Student Voter Advisory Task Force. Click here to read the final report, detailing recommendations to increase voter turnout and participation by young people.
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS, HONORS, and RECOGNITIONS
Young Elected Officials
     -"35 Under 35" Class of 2020

Michigan Association of School Boards
     -Advocacy Skills Specialty Certificate
     -Data Skills Specialty Certificate
     -Master Diamond Award, Master Board Member Award, Award of Distinction, Award of Merit, and Certified Board Member Award
​(more than 800 hours of professional development!)

Grand Valley State University
     -2019 Outstanding Major Award for Group Social Studies
     -Nonprofit Board Certification,
          Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy
     -Hamlin Memorial Scholarship for LGBT Activism
During his four years on the school board and six years on various nonprofit boards, Eric-John has completed over 800 hours of professional development to better serve his community. In addition, his work for the past four years as a member of the GVSU Votes Initiative has put GVSU on the map for civic engagement with the following recognitions:
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"Silver Seal Campus 2019", All In Campus Democracy Challenge

"America's Best Colleges for Student Voting 2019", Washington Monthly Magazine

"Excellence Award Gold Winner 2018", NASPA
Eric-John strives to help individuals nourish a sense of ownership in their communities. His advocacy has helped advance the causes of lowered textbook costs, increasing LGBTQ+ protections and visibility, and cooperation between campus and external resources toward greater civic engagement.
Paid for by "Eric-John Szczepaniak for Alpine Township Clerk" and "Sabra Szczepaniak for Treasurer"
​3725 Saint Moritz St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49544
*Use of images, titles, and information does not imply endorsement by Grand Valley State University or Kenowa Hills Public Schools*