Detroit — Citing his advocacy on behalf of faith-based schools for more than a quarter of a century, the Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools awarded Michigan Catholic Conference president and CEO Paul A. Long with the Ivan E. Zylstra Award on Oct. 23.

The award, which recognizes an individual who is committed to promoting the rights of non-public school students, was given during the association’s 2015 Education Conference at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

Long, who has worked to protect and enhance faith-based education in Michigan through legislative initiatives since 1988, said the award was “a great honor and privilege but also extremely humbling.”

“I am deeply grateful for the leadership of MANS and the sterling direction it provides for the over 100,000 students enrolled in MANS member schools across the state. We know significant work remains to end discriminatory practices in education so that full and equitable school choice is available to all Michigan parents and families.”

In 1996, Long worked to protect Michigan’s school code from including language discriminating against non-public schools, and has advocated for the rights of students, teachers and schools in the areas of dual enrollment, shared-time opportunities and voucher programs for years. He was appointed president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference in 2010.

The Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools is an association representing and accrediting some 400 Catholic, Lutheran and Christian schools in Michigan educating 110,000 students. The Ivan E. Zylstra Award is named after the organization’s first president.