College Raptor—a web-based organization dedicated to helping students and families find their best-fit institution of higher education—has chosen Kalamazoo College as one of the top 25 schools in the Midwest regardless of size or public/private status.
The list of schools, which places K at No. 23 for 2025, encompasses institutions from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. In making its selections this year, College Raptor considered graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, retention rate, selectivity and other metrics. Its full methodology is available online.
In a separate ranking last year, College Raptor also rated K as one of 15 Hidden Gems in the Great Lakes region as the College receives fewer than 5,000 applications a year while sustaining a student population of fewer than 7,000.
“Since 2015, we’ve carefully assembled our lists each year to highlight the best schools in different categories to help families get started in the discovery process,” College Raptor CEO Bill Staib said. “K has shown dedication to academic excellence. We are proud to highlight them.”
College Raptor has named Kalamazoo College among the Top 25 schools in the Great Lakes Region for 2025.
A resource that the USA Today calls “the best college guide you can buy” again profiles Kalamazoo College among more than 300 of the best and most interesting colleges in the U.S., Canada and the UK.
The 2025 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges credits K for a LandSea preorientation program that provides incoming students with confidence. Then, the College’s ingenious K-Plan offers a curriculum path with study abroad, an excellent career-development program, and independent faculty-guided research.
Students interviewed for the book—compiled by former New York Times Education Editor Edward B. Fiske—praised K for its supportive and guiding faculty, service-learning courses, student-led cocurricular activities, civic engagement and study abroad that is done so well “it seems ridiculous not to take advantage of the opportunity.”
“K’s campus is always buzzing with social activities like movies, concerts, speakers and other events,” the book notes. It adds that students also look forward to Monte Carlo Night, when the Hicks Student Center is transformed into a casino with faculty and staff serving as dealers, and the Day of Gracious Living when, without prior notice, classes are called off for the day and students can choose to spend a day on the beach, work on volunteer projects or relax on campus.
And, for a more unique lens on the college search, Cool Stuff at Small Colleges author Peter Pitts—a retired admissions professional from Monmouth College—says K is a great choice for students who want the feeling of a small college and the many benefits of being near a large university considering its location near Western Michigan University.
“Not a major or a minor,” the book says. “Not even a certificate or an emphasis. But Jedi, Sith and Mandalorians: Religion and Star Wars, a religion class at Kalamazoo College, might just influence a student to major or minor in religion. If nothing else, it says a lot about how cool the faculty are in the religion department at Kalamazoo.”
The “Fiske Guide to Colleges,” compiled by former New York Times Education Editor Edward B. Fiske, is one of two recently released college guides to feature K.
“Cool Stuff at Small Colleges” is one of two recently released college guides to feature K.
Money magazine released its latest appraisals of the Best Colleges in America today while again naming Kalamazoo College among the top colleges in the country.
The publication revamped its college-ranking system last year into a star-ratings list. Of the 2,400 institutions Money analyzed this year, 745 four-year public and private institutions received at least a two-star rating based on 25 factors such as graduation rates, cost and what alumni can expect to earn.
K received four stars, making it one of about 200 private schools from around the country—regardless of size—and one of seven in Michigan with at least that ranking.
Money’sstory announcing the rankings specifically mentions K, citing it as a gem “known for its K-Plan, which augments a traditional liberal arts curriculum with experiential learning through research, study abroad, internships, and community service and civic projects.”
The full list of Money’s Best Colleges in America and the publication’s methodologies are available at its website.
Money magazine says Kalamazoo College is a gem “known for its K-Plan, which augments a traditional liberal arts curriculum with experiential learning through research, study abroad, internships, and community service and civic projects.”
A web-based organization dedicated to helping students and families find their best-fit institution of higher education, has chosen Kalamazoo College for two honors that identify the school as an excellent destination for well-rounded experiences.
College Raptor says K is one of 15 small schools to qualify as a Hidden Gem in the Great Lakes region of Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. In addition, K is among 25 schools nationwide named a Division III Hidden Gem in athletics.
To qualify overall as a Hidden Gem, an institution must receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year, have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students, offer at least five unique majors and maintain an acceptance rate of at least 10%. The selection recognizes K as one of the best colleges in the country based on a combination of factors including retention rates, graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio, endowment per student, selectivity and other key metrics as reported through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), according to the College Raptor website.
College Raptor says Kalamazoo College is one of 15 small schools to qualify as a Hidden Gem in the Great Lakes. Plus, K is among 25 nationwide named a Division III athletics Hidden Gem.
As a Division III Hidden Gem, College Raptor also says K offers great opportunities for student-athletes who want a combined athletic and academic college experience, making the College a standout among the 442 schools College Raptor examined.
“For students seeking the enriching experience of a smaller college with exceptional programs, institutions like K emerge as prime options, and we are honored to spotlight them with the recognition they genuinely deserve,” College Raptor CEO William Staib said.
“A liberal arts model at a small college provides the most thorough education because it teaches students a variety of skillsets that employers desire through personal attention from faculty and staff along with a flexible curriculum and enriching co-curricular activities,” Dean of Admission Suzanne Lepley said. “We love it when other organizations confirm what a gem we are.”
The Princeton Review is placing Kalamazoo College among the top 15 percent of U.S. higher-education institutions for degree-seeking undergraduates by featuring K in the 2024 version of its annual guide, The Best 389 Colleges.
In the book, the education services company recommends colleges from the nation’s 2,600 four-year institutions based on data it collects from administrators about their academic offerings, and surveys of students who rate and report on their experiences.
Students lauded K through surveys as a place where they develop personal relationships with their peers and faculty at a campus run by and for the students. In addition, students can quickly find their niche upon arriving thanks to a small-school environment where “everyone is always engaged in some kind of work they truly care about,” the book says.
The Best 389 Colleges doesn’t provide individual rankings for the schools featured. However, K earned an additional mention in the guide as the No. 16 school on a list of the Top 20 Private Colleges for Making an Impact. This means K students said that their student-government opportunities, the College’s sustainability efforts and K’s on-campus engagement are providing them with opportunities to make a difference in their community.
“We salute Kalamazoo College for its outstanding academics and its many other impressive offerings,” said Rob Franek, the Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief and lead author of The Best 389 Colleges. “We’re delighted to recommend it as an ideal choice for students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college.”
The printed publication is now available through the Penguin Random House website. K’s profile is available for free online along with the list of the 389 top schools.
According to the 2024 edition of “The Best 389 Colleges” from the Princeton Review, students gave Kalamazoo College high marks for its open curriculum. The open curriculum means “students have more time to explore exactly what they want to learn, rather than being required to take classes in which they have no interest,” the book says.
Kalamazoo College has been a fixture in the Fiske Guide to Colleges over the years and that will continue in 2024. The global resource that profiles more than 300 of what it calls the best and most interesting colleges in the U.S., Canada and the UK, says K “opens up the world to its students—literally,” in the book’s 40th edition.
“Kalamazoo College (also known as K) may be a small school in America’s heartland, but it pays to send the majority of students abroad during their four years, making it a launching pad to the world,” the latest guidesays. “In addition to international education, the school’s K-Plan emphasizes teaching, internships and independent, faculty-guided research.”
But don’t forget about the quality of student life on campus.
“K’s campus is always buzzing with social activities like movies, concerts, speakers and other events,” the book notes. “Students look forward to the Monte Carlo casino night, homecoming and the Day of Gracious Living, a spring day where, without prior warning, classes are canceled and students can choose to head to the beach, work on volunteer projects or relax on campus.”
The Fiske Guide to Colleges, compiled by former New York Times Education Editor Edward B. Fiske, is available now.
Kalamazoo College is among more than 300 institutions of higher education in the U.S., Canada and the UK featured in the 40th edition of the “Fiske Guide to Colleges.”
Congratulations to the following Kalamazoo College students who received awards during the 2023 Senior Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 10, at Stetson Chapel. The awards include all academic divisions, prestigious scholarships and special non-departmental awards.
George Acker Award
Ryan Hanifan
The American Chemical Society Certified Degree in Chemistry
Marissa Dolorfino
Carter Eisenbach
Caelan Frazier
Lena Thompson Klemm
Dillon Lee
Chloe Lucci
Crystal Danielle Mendoza
Ezekiel Mulder
Gunzaya Gunzi Otgonjargal
Abby Lyn Rawlings
Suja Thakali
MiaFlora Tucci
Hornet Athletic Association Award
Harrison Poeszat
Austria U.S. Teaching Assistantship
Vincent DeSanto
Benjamin Flotemersch
Sean Gates
James Bird Balch Prize in American History
Meaghan K. Kelly
Lillian Pringle Baldauf Prize in Music
Koshiro Kuroda
H. Lewis Batts Prize
Rose Hannan
Onora Divine Lancaster
Olivia Louise Smith
Alex Stolberg
E. Bruce Baxter Memorial Award
Thomas Lichtenberg
Gordon Beaumont Memorial Award
Litzy Bahena
Katia Duoibes
Beeler Senior Projects Abroad Fellows
Maeve Francesca Crothers
Brianna DuBose
Garrett Hanson
Yamilee Hernandez
Daniel Eric Jordan
Bella Kirchgessner
Rachel Christine Kramer
Koshiro Kuroda
Fiona Raycraft O’Rielly
Egan Vieira
Larry Bell Scholar
Eleanor S. Carr
Bella Kirchgessner
The Biology in Liberal Arts Prize
Zoe Elizabeth Reyes
Marshall Hallock Brenner Prize
Emma Sidor
Henry and Inez Brown Award
Violet Crampton
Clara H. Buckley Prize for Excellence in Latin
Garrett Hanson
Katelyn Williams
Mary Long Burch Award
Lucy Hart
Robert Bzdyl Prize in Marine Biology
Alex Stolberg
Annual Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry
Caelan Frazier
Annual Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry
Shay Brown
Annual Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry
Lucy Hart
Crystal Danielle Mendoza
Annual Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry
Oliver Tye
Outstanding Chemistry Student from Kalamazoo College
Carter Eisenbach
MiaFlora Tucci
Lilia Chen Award in Art
Hao Jiang
Ruth Scott Chenery Award
Sedona Coleman
Chinese Outstanding Achievement Award
Violet Crampton
Zoe Claire Chunqi Gurney
Clarice Ray
Claire Tallio
Provost’s Prize in Classics
Isabelle Ragan
Isabel Quinn Schantz
Collins Fellow
Rachel Christine Kramer
Provost’s Prize in Computer Science
Aleksandr Molchagin
H. P. and Genevieve Connable Scholarship
Hanis Sommerville
Cooper Award in Fine Arts
Milan Levy
C.W. “Opie” Davis Award
Samuel Ankley
Diebold Scholar Award
Natalie Call
Rose Hannan
Joergen Klakulak
Alex Stolberg
Nathaniel E. Zona
Marion H. Dunsmore Memorial Prize in Religion
Isabelle Ragan
George Eaton Errington Prize
Lingrui Xiang
Provost’s Prize in Economics
Zoe Claire Chunqi Gurney
Sam Moss
Alliance Francaise Prize in French
Shanon Brown
Kanase Matsuzaki
French Government Teaching Assistantships
Annika Canavero
Olivia Grace Fairbank
Joe Fugate Senior German Award
Vincent DeSanto
Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship
Samuel Kendrick, Uzbekistan
Kanase Matsuzaki, Jordan
Fulbright Study Research Award
Natalie Call, Denmark
Departmental Prize in Greek
Garrett Hanson
Xarifa Greenquist Memorial Psychology Department Award
Sedona Coleman
Fred and Sarah Greer Endowed Scholarship/ Lorinda Kay Sanford Memorial
Brianna DuBose
Mya Jennings
Ashani Jewell
Jamir McKeller
DaShawn Meeks
Aija Turner
Griffin Prize
Mikayla Dominique Youngman
Guyor Kindness and Compassion Award
Denise Martinez
Kaleb Sydloski
Charles C. Hall Scholarship
Shay Brown
Ham Scholars
Thomas Lichtenberg
Milagros Robelo
F. W. and Elsie L. Heyl Scholars
Samuel Ankley
Carter Eisenbach
Rachel Christine Kramer
Alexis Nesbitt
Suja Thakali
Elizabeth Grace Wang
The Raymond L. Hightower Award
Khalil Shakur Adams
Mya Jennings
Maya Kanta Bimal Nathwani
Virginia Hinkelman Memorial Award
Ryley White
History Department Award
Samuel Kendrick
Hodge Prize in Philosophy
Vincent DeSanto
John Wesley Hornbeck Prize
Eli Edlefson
Claire Kvande
Elias Wennen
William G. Howard Memorial Prize
Claire Tallio
William G. Howard Memorial Prize in Political Science
Riley Thomas Wilson
Japanese National Honor Society, College Chapter
Emily Robin Kaneko Dudd
Madeline Schroeder
William Shaw
Grant W. and Eleanor L. Johnston History Research Award
Sarma Ejups
Benjamin Homminga
Stefan Nielsen
Kurt Kaufman Fellow
Abigail Barnum
Caelan Frazier
Dillon Lee
MiaFlora Tucci
Oliver Tye
Elizabeth Grace Wang
Richard D. Klein Senior Award in Psychology
Marilu Bueno
Richard D. Klein Senior Impact Award in Psychology
Alexia McColl
Ryley White
Knoechel Family Award
Samuel Ankley
Camille Misra
Irmgard Kowatzki Theatre Award
Marilu Bueno
Milan Levy
LaPlante Civic Engagement Scholars
Lauren Bretzius
Shanon Brown
Katia Duoibes
Ryley White
Tish Loveless Award
Renée Torres
Music Department Certificate of Distinction
Abigail Barnum
Donovan Burleigh
Violet Crampton
Sarma Ejups
Garrett Hanson
Matthew Mueller
Erin Murphy
Claire Tallio
Mikki Wong
National Merit Scholars
Claire Kvande
Noah Prentice
National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship
Mallory Dolorfino
Claire Kvande
William E. Praeger Prize in Biology
Eleanor S. Carr
Hana Samantha Frisch
Ian Becks Hurley
Ryan Johnson
Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize in Business
Payton Fleming
Tristan Fuller
Jenna Clare Paterob
Robert and Karen Rhoa Prize for Outstanding SIP
Minh D. Dang
Elwood H. and Elizabeth H. Schneider Prize in English
Lauren Sommer Crossman
Senior Leadership Recognition Award
Litzy Bahena
Violet Crampton
Kylah Alexandria Davis
Katia Duoibes
Jazmyne Fannings
Peter Fitzgerald
Yoichi Haga
Katherine Haywood
Bella Kirchgessner
Claire Kvande
Milan Levy
DaShawn Meeks
Crystal Danielle Mendoza
Aleksandr Molchagin
Maheen Naz Mulligan
Justin Negrete
Stefan Nielsen
Gunzaya Gunzi Otgonjargal
Alexis Petty
Noah Prentice
Andrew Puckett
Milagros Robelo
Alex Stolberg
Suja Thakali
Chilotam Urama
Elizabeth Grace Wang
Ryley White
Christian Zeitvogel
Nathaniel E. Zona
Fan E. Sherwood Memorial Prize
Charles DiMagno
Sherwood Prize in Fine Arts
Marilu Bueno
Catherine A. Smith Prize in Human Rights
Emma Davis-Rodak
Skai Williams
Catherine A. Smith Prize in Women’s Athletics
Alexis Petty
Lemuel F. Smith Award
Marissa Dolorfino
Cassandra Solis Prize in Critical Ethnic Studies
Angela Ledesma
The Senior Spanish Award
Gustavo Eric Gonzalez-Martinez
Fiona Raycraft O’Rielly
Alexis Damian Valdes
Spanish Government Teaching Assistantship
Fiona Raycraft O’Rielly
Renée Torres
Eugene P. Stermer Award in Public Administration
John Carlson
Mary Clifford Stetson Prize
Angel Ledesma
Dwight and Leola Stocker Prize
Violet Crampton
Sarah Densham
Hannah Durant
Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Prize in Women’s Studies
Elle Waldron
Stowe Scholarship
Caelan Frazier
David Strauss Prize in American Studies
Stefan Nielsen
Babette Trader Campus Citizenship and Leadership Award
Kalamazoo College is one of the nation’s best colleges for students seeking a great education with excellent career preparation at a relatively affordable price, according to the Princeton Review.
The education services company Tuesday named K as one of its Best Value Colleges for 2023 and ranked the College No. 16 among the Top 20 Private Colleges for Making an Impact. That ranking is up two spots from No. 18 last year.
“It’s not surprising that Kalamazoo College continues to receive these honors from the Princeton Review,” Dean of Admission Suzanne Lepley said. “The K-Plan—our unique approach to the liberal arts and sciences—provides a broad-based education, as well as the communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills students will need as professionals, continuing students and citizens. A K education empowers their outcomes as they help build a better world.”
The Princeton Review chose 209 schools for the 2023 list based on data from its surveys of administrators at more than 650 colleges in 2022-23. Topics covered everything from academics, cost and financial aid to graduation rates and student debt. The company also factored in data from its surveys of students attending the schools as well as data from PayScale.com’s surveys of alumni about their starting and mid-career salaries and job satisfaction.
The Princeton Review has named Kalamazoo College one of its Best Value Colleges for 2023 and ranked K No. 16 among the Top 20 Private Colleges for Making an Impact.
In all, the Princeton Review crunched more than 40 data points to tally return-on-investment ratings of the colleges that were Best Value Colleges school selections.
While the Princeton Review does not rank the Best Value Colleges hierarchically from 1 to 209, Kalamazoo College is one of just four Michigan institutions, private or public, to be honored this year. It’s also the only private institution in the state recognized as a top place where students can make an impact.
“The schools we chose as our Best Value Colleges for 2023 are a select group: they comprise only about 8% of the nation’s four-year undergraduate institutions,” said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of the Princeton Review. “We commend their administrators, faculties, staff and alumni for all they are doing to educate their students and guide them to success in their careers. These colleges are also exceptional for the generous amount of financial aid they award to students with need and/or for their comparatively low cost of attendance.”
The Princeton Review is also known for its other college rankings in dozens of categories, many of which are reported in its annual book, The Best 388 Colleges, published in August, which again included K in 2023.
Congratulations to the following Kalamazoo College students, who achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or better for a full-time course load of at least three units, without failing or withdrawing from any course, during the winter 2023 academic term. Students who elect to take a letter-graded course on a credit/no credit basis (CR/NC) are not eligible for Dean’s List consideration during that term nor are students who receive an F, NC or W grade for that particular term. Students with incomplete (I) or in-progress (IP) grades will be considered for the Dean’s List upon receipt of their final grades. Dean’s List recognition is posted on students’ transcripts. Kudos to the entire group for winter 2023.
Winter 2023
Congratulations to the students who reached the Dean’s List in winter 2023.
A
Ashhad Abdullah Kayla Acosta Khalil Adams Fuzail Ahmed Harsha Ajjarapu Shahriar Akhavan Tafti Maya Alkema Fanny Alvarado Osman Amaya Farida Amini Darsalam Amir Paige Anderson Katherine Andretz Mia Andrews Eleanor Andrews Unayza Anika Michael Ankley Madison Anspach Ava Apolo Kaelyn Arlington Lora Armstrong Clarke Austin
B
Tolkien Bagchi Jenna Bailey Lindsey Baker Baylor Baldwin Carter Bandemer Zoie Banger Evan Barker Ethan Barnes Brianna Barnes Jenna Beach Daniel Beccari Annabel Bee Samantha Bekolay Carolyn Bennett Cassandra Bennett Thomas Bentley Anthony Berkimer Eleanor Bernas Thalia Bills Anna Binkley Katherine Black Henry Black Cara Boissoneault Sam Boritzki Troy Bormann Luke Bormann Daphne Bos Mairin Boshoven Eleni Bougioukou Adelaide Bowen Jaylen Bowles-Swain Ella Boyea Yvette Boyse-Peacor Allison Bozyk Emily Braunohler Lauren Bretzius Lukas Broadsword Avery Brockington Eamon Bronson Shay Brown Chloe Bryant Anna Buck Jaden Buist Leah Bunnell
C
Amaia Cadenas Isaiah Calderon Natalie Call Eleanor Campion Olivia Cannizzaro Vanessa Cardenas John Carlson Eleanor Carr Mary Cashman Caleb Caul Abigail Caza Isabella Caza Alexandra Chafetz Emily Cheng Isabel Chiang Yongwan Cho Trustin Christopher Noah Chun Eva Clancy Alisha Clark Kai Clingenpeel Mai Elise Code Madeleine Coffman Gabriel Coleman Sedona Coleman Quinn Collins Zachary Connor Kyle Cooper Mia Crites Isabella Cross August Crothers Maeve Crothers Lilian Crowder Smith Chase Cummins
D
Gabrielle Daane Emily Dalecki Minh Dang Erik Danielson Talia Dave Kylah Davis Claire Davis Zachary Dean Shruti Debburman Lillian Deer Carson Deines Lille Dekker Ethan DeNeen Laura DeVilbiss Devi DeYoung Michaela Dillbeck Caitlin Dodde Brooke Dolhay Mallory Dolorfino Alyssa Dorner Samuel Douma Alexia Dowell Jordan Doyle Emily Dudd Katia Duoibes Hannah Durant
E
Eli Edlefson Sally Eggleston Jairo Eguia Carter Eisenbach Rebecca Elias Elise Elliot Sara English Justin Essing Gabrielle Evans Caleb Ewald Sam Ewald
F
Niklas Fagerman Jazmyne Fannings Claire Farhi Brady Farr Madalyn Farrey Blake Filkins Julia Fitzgerald Mabel Fitzpatrick Payton Fleming Sofia Fleming Ella Flourry Stephen Flynn Daniel Foura Caroline Francis Janna Franco Emma Frederiksen Hana Frisch Nathaniel Fuller
G
Ethan Galler Katie Garcia Valeria Garcia Grace Garver Sean Gates Roberta Gatti Lyrica Gee Vrinda Girdhar Georgios Gkolois Samuel Gladhill Lillian Grelak Westin Grinwis Elizabeth Grooten Molly Gross Cassandra Grotelueschen Kendra Guitar
H
Marissa Haas Yoichi Haga Vien Hang Ryan Hanifan Alison Hankins Patrick Hanley Garrett Hanson Madeline Hanulcik Rachel Harman Eleanor Harris Lucy Hart Sophie Hartl James Hauke Tanner Hawkins Jiniku Hayashi Katherine Haywood Zachary Heimbuch Jennefer Hernandez Rosemary Hernandez Sophia Herold Ella Heystek Sierra Hieshetter Garrick Hohm Annika Hokanson Thomas Hole Madeline Hollander Ronin Honda Tyler Horky Jaelyn Horn Joseph Horsfield Molly Horton Charles Horvath Tyler Houle Gavin Houtkooper Jakob Hubert Alek Hultberg Megan Hybels
I
Emiliano Ibarra Juan Ibarra Jalen Iereneo Carson Ihrke
J
Angela Jacobo Colton Jacobs Mya Jennings Deepa Jha Amelia Johnson Cloe Johnson Ryan Johnson Luke Johnson-Sears Maxwell Joos
K
Amalia Kaerezi Kiana Kanegawa Jessica Kaplan Leo Kaplan Judah Karesh Timothy Karubas Lillian Kehoe Ben Keith Will Keller Ella Kelly Emilia Kelly Alyson Kemery Mphumelelo Khaba Si Yun Kimball Soussana Kimbouris Anwen King Rylie Kipfmueller Caleb Kipnis Isabella Kirchgessner Kendyl Kirshman Claire Kischer Alexander Kish Joergen Klakulak Noah Kleiner Mart Klenke Steven Kloosterman Claudia Klos Rhys Koellmann Cole Koryto Daniel Koselka Toni Koshmider Marissa Kovac Emma Kovacevic Rachel Kramer Laryn Kuchta Elisabeth Kuras Claire Kvande
L
Margaret LaFramboise Sophia Lajiness Caroline Lamb Jordon Larco Olivia Laser Annmarie Lawrence Madeleine Lawson Keilana Le Lam Phuong Le Grace Leahey Dillon Lee Isaac Lee Ilem Leisher Margaret Lekan Sage Lewis Connor Lignell Cassandra Linnertz Nico Lipton Sydney Lis Luis Lizardo-Rodriguez Ava Loncharte Madeline Lovins Caden Lowis Chloe Lucci Nicholas Lucking
M
Natalie Maki Andrew Mallon Lesly Mares-Castro William Martel Denise Martinez Molly Martinez Stephanie Martinez Gracen Martini-Zeller Hollis Masterson Virginia Matta Lillian Mattern Eliza Maurer Alexia McColl Megan McGarry Grace McGlynn Leo McGreevy Ashlynne McKee Jacob McKinney Joseph McLean Kira McManus Amy McNutt Olivia Meland Sophia Merchant Rachel Meston Allison Meyers Luke Middlebrook Brittany Miller Elizabeth Miller Ella Miller Jack Miller Cooper Mills Ameera Mirza Camille Misra Elana Mitchell Jackson Mitchell Lauren Mitchell Lina Moghrabi Jana Molby Aleksandr Molchagin Raven Montagna Mackenzie Moore Eliana Moreno Aiden Morgan Emma Morrison Wyatt Mortensen Madeline Moss Arein Motan Lorelei Moxon Phumuzile Moyo Elliot Mrak Matthew Mueller Elizabeth Muenzenmaier Mary Ellen Muenzenmaier Ezekiel Mulder Angeles Munoz Horta Anna Murphy Erin Murphy Madison Murphy Colin Murray
N
Alex Nam Blagoja Naskovski Maya Nathwani Lindsey Nedd Matthew Nelson Elizabeth Nestle Robert Newland Emma Newlove Anna Nguyen Nguyen Nguyen Vinh Nguyen Theodore Niemann Joanna Nonato Malin Nordmoe Maeve Novotny Rohan Nuthalapati
O
Richard O’Donnell Jeremiah Ohren-Hoeft Gabriel Olivier Alexander Olsen Emma Olson Gabe Orosan-Weine Fatima Ortega
P
Chelsea Paddock Eleanor Parks-Church Hannah Parsons Morgan Paye Mia Pellegrini Isabella Pellegrom Kaitlin Peot Adriana Perez Herrero Addison Peter Alexis Petty Mary Phillips Sydney Pickell Benjamin Pickrel Mia Pierce William Plesscher Elaine Pollard Evan Pollens-Voigt Noah Prentice Melissa Preston Lucas Priemer Andrew Puckett Elena Pulliam Hailey Pullo Mason Purdy Bea Putman Noah Pyle
Q
Alex Quesada
R
Elizabeth Rachiele Elle Ragan Savera Rajendra-Nicolucci Julia Rambo Alyson Ramillano America Ramirez Lafern Ramon Hunter Rayens Sara Reathaford Liam Regan Laura Reinaux Silva Oliveira Zoe Reyes Keegan Reynolds Lissette Reynoso Maxwell Rhames Mya Richter Sheldon Riley Milagros Robelo Emory Roberts Jacob Robertson Michael Robertson Xochitl Robertson Narelle Robles Katherine Rock Skyler Rogers Olivia Roncone Amelia Rooks Luke Rop Brigid Roth Mia Roukema Eli Routt Tabitha Rowland Charlotte Ruiter Angel Ruiz Nathaniel Rulich Elliot Russell
S
Sophia Sajan Hannia Sanchez-Alvarado Leslie Santos Maxwell Saxton Fiona Schaffer Leo Schinker Sophia Schlotterer Allison Schmidt Vivian Schmidt Annika Schnell Madeline Schroeder Hannah Schurman Camille Schuster Amalia Scorsone Aurora Scott Isabella Shapiro William Shaw Elijah Shiel Joseph Shumunov Emma Sidor Elizabeth Silber Zachary Simmons Sophia Sjogren Colby Skinner Meganne Skoug Pieter Slager Kendall Slamka Owen Smith Ping Smith Grace Snyder Anoushka Soares Allison Sokacz Hanis Sommerville Kaden Sotomayor Jonah Spates Maxwell Spitler Ella Spooner Sophia Sprick David Stechow Eleanor Stevenson Molly Stevison Meredith Steward Alex Stolberg Helen Stoy Abbygale Stump Maeve Sullivan Keegan Sweeney Kaleb Sydloski Brandon Sysol Ella Szczublewski
T
Chau Ta Madison Talarico Claire Tallio Nicole Taylor Suja Thakali Kaia Thomas Levi Thomas William Thomas Minh Thu Le Sophia Timm-Blow William Tocco Luke Torres Renee Torres Jakob Torzewski Vincent Tran Vincent Tremonti Nghia Trinh Maria Tripodis MiaFlora Tucci May Tun Francesca Turnage Aija Turner
Alexis Valdes Hannah Vander Lugt Cameron VanGalder Mitchel VanGalder Rae Vansparrentak Anna Varitek Ella VarnHagen Evan Vicker Gabriel Vidinas Mirella Villani Robin Vogel Lucille Voss Jessalyn Vrieland
W
Gabin Wagner Ivy Walker Audrey Walker Lucinda Wallis Elizabeth Wang McKenna Wasmer Riley Weber Elias Wennen Luke Werner Emerson Wesselhoff Grace Westerhuis Katelyn Williams Tariq Williams Skai Williams Carson Williams Jackson Willits Nick Wilson Riley Wilson Jordyn Wilson Siona Wilson Zoe Wilson Ruby Winer Laurel Wolfe Leah Wolfgang Alexa Wonacott Reagan Woods Maximilian Wright
X
Y
Z
Kathryn Zabaldo Jacob Zeller Ariana Zito Nathaniel Zona
L. Lee Stryker Associate Professor of Business Management Amy MacMillan
Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College are embarking on an exciting new partnership that will allow students from both institutions to go outside the classroom to gain powerful experiences in leadership and business strategy by consulting with local companies on their business challenges.
Managed by Drs. Doug Lepisto and Derrick McIver, co-directors of Western’s Center for Principled Leadership and Business Strategy, and Amy MacMillan, L. Lee Stryker Associate Professor of Business Management for Kalamazoo College, the project will ask students to collaborate through an immersive consulting experience at Sleeping Giant Capital’s downtown office.
The partnership taps into the existing leadership and business strategy practicum course at WMU, which Lepisto co-teaches at the WMU Haworth College of Business, and integrates elements from the strategic marketing management course that MacMillan co-teaches at Kalamazoo College.
Both courses are structured so students work for the entire semester on a business issue for a company, in the same way that a management consulting firm would, exploring all possibilities and conducting research to generate the best solutions for the business.
Now, the two schools have joined forces to take things to an even higher level. There will be a total of six teams, and each team will have two student leaders and a group of student analysts from both schools. At the conclusion of the project, students will be prepared to lead, excel in project-based work and create value for small- and medium-sized businesses.
Doug Lepisto ’04
The client this semester is construction and development firm AVB, which has asked students to look at growth strategies for its future. Students from Western and Kalamazoo College will work on teams in a competitive process throughout the spring 2023 semester, where faculty members will provide feedback and decide which strategies best address AVB’s business question. At the end of the semester, the top teams will present to company leadership with a cash prize of $5,000 to be awarded to the winning team.
Along the way, students will be mentored by executives, who are WMU alumni, from management consulting firms including McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company and others.
From the beginning
The idea for this partnership first formed as Lepisto was watching a WMU football game and gazed across campus to see the Kalamazoo College stadium with a Hornets’ game taking place at the same time. Lepisto, who is a graduate of Kalamazoo College, kept thinking about that parallel and began exploring the ways in which both institutions were similar: a focus on experiential learning, a commitment to the Kalamazoo community and a passion for social good in any industry or career.
“Kalamazoo is an education city,” Lepisto says. “By connecting WMU, Kalamazoo College, Sleeping Giant Capital and local businesses, our goal is to offer an unrivaled experience that is transformative and drives widespread benefit.”
Lepisto’s concept for the collaboration soon led him to MacMillan, and after lots of brainstorming together, they created the partnership that is being piloted this semester and likely expanded in the future.
“Experiential education has long been a defining feature of Kalamazoo College,” says MacMillan. “As educators, we constantly need to innovate these experiences to meet student needs. This unique collaboration with WMU and Sleeping Giant Capital provides real-world experience that builds leaders ready to hit the ground running when they graduate.”
Students will be participating in a docuseries, providing an insider’s view of the project and what they are learning from the process and each other. Follow the story on Instagram.
About Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College, founded in 1833, is a nationally recognized residential liberal arts and sciences college located in Kalamazoo. The creator of the K-Plan, Kalamazoo College provides an individualized education that integrates rigorous academics with life-changing experiential learning opportunities. For more information, visit kzoo.edu.
About Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University prepares students from around the globe for a life well lived. In an environment focused on well-being and holistic success, students thrive academically, emotionally and physically and go on to pursue their purpose, prosper in meaningful careers and make an impact on society. Founded in 1903, Western offers nearly 250 academic programs to nearly 18,000 students pursuing degrees through the doctoral level. The University’s focus on well-being supports holistic success, empowering students to craft a life of meaning and fulfillment. Nine of 10 Broncos get jobs quickly in their field in jobs they like. Learn more at wmich.edu.
