Bay City Western graduate helps STARS win Michigan transit award

Bay City Western graduate Jaxen Pashak’s branding efforts have led to a Saginaw transit agency earning statewide recognition.

Official response and confirmed impact

Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services (STARS) won a 2026 Michigan Transit Impact Award for Outstanding Communications Project from the Michigan Public Transit Association.

The award was presented during the recent Michigan Public Transportation Conference, at which the association recognized individuals and organizations from across Michigan for their leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing public transportation.

Pashak and Jamie Forbes, the agency’s director of external affairs, led the route branding initiative.

It introduced route-specific colors, icons, redesigned maps, digital communications, and updated signage concepts to create a more intuitive and recognizable transit system.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for STARS, but it is especially meaningful because it highlights the initiative, creativity, and dedication Jaxen brought to this project,” said Amy Bidwell, STARS executive director.

“Jaxen saw an opportunity to make our system easier to understand, more welcoming, and more connected to the communities we serve.

Incident background

Pashak, a student intern, spearheaded the project that helped transform the way STARS communicates with riders and connects with the communities it serves.