Meet President’s Student Ambassador Gavin Houtkooper ’25

Posted on by Andy Brown

Kalamazoo College is spotlighting its President’s Student Ambassadors to let you know who they are and the roles they serve for K. As student leaders, ambassadors serve as an extension of the president’s hospitality at events and gatherings, welcoming alumni and guests of the College with a spirit of inclusion. About 15 students serve as ambassadors each academic year. The students selected show strong communication skills and demonstrate leadership through academic life, student life or community service. Meet Gavin Houtkooper ’25 through a Q-and-A conducted with Social Media Ambassador Blagoja Naskovski ’24.

Gavin Houtkooper ’25, from Battle Creek, Michigan, majors in business with minors in Spanish and computer science. He is a member of the Kalamazoo College men’s soccer team, a treasurer of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society that recognizes excellence from a student’s first year.

What’s your favorite part of your K Experience?

My favorite part about being a student at K is the outstanding people that I get to be around daily, my fellow classmates and my world-class professors. I also love that the K-Plan allows me to take control of my education and take the classes in areas that I am interested in. Through the K-Plan, I have been able to continue playing the sport I love (soccer), I will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain, this spring, and I have obtained internships through our fantastic alumni network. 

Why did you accept the invitation to serve as a President’s Student Ambassador?

“I decided to serve as a President’s Student Ambassador (PSA) because a teammate on the men’s soccer team was in the program and told me about the amazing experience he had. He met alumni, got an internship through the people he met and then turned that into his first job out of college. After hearing his story, applying to be a PSA was a priority for me.”

Portrait of President's Student Ambassador Gavin Houtkooper '25
Through the K-Plan, President’s Student Ambassador Gavin Houtkooper plays soccer, is studying abroad in Madrid, and has earned outstanding internships.
Gavin Houtkooper in goal
Houtkooper is a treasurer of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, an honor society that salutes first-year excellence.
Gavin Houtkooper playing in goal for the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team
A teammate from Kalamazoo College’s men’s soccer team told Gavin Houtkooper about being a President’s Student Ambassador, inspiring Houtkooper to seek the position.
President's Student Ambassador Gavin Houtkooper attending Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Meetings
As a President’s Student Ambassador, Houtkooper enjoys meeting K alumni when they return to campus for events. He says K alumni have done some incredible work in the world, and in his experience, they are always looking to give back to current students.
President's Student Ambassador Gavin Houtkooper in goal for the Kalamazoo College men's soccer team
Houtkooper encourages new President’s Student Ambassadors to attend as many events as they can to talk with alumni because one conversation can create life-changing connections.

What is your favorite part of being a President’s Student Ambassador?

“My favorite part of being a PSA is meeting K alumni when they come back home to K for events. Our alumni have done some incredible work in the world, and in my experience, they are always looking to give back to current students. Through my conversations with alumni, I was able to navigate the internship search process and ultimately land one for this coming summer.”

What would you recommend for the incoming President’s Student Ambassadors in 2024–25?

“I would recommend that any new PSA attend as many events as possible. We never know who we will talk to at a given event. But in my experience, one conversation can create life-changing connections with an alum who may be able to help you navigate life after K.”