Last Academic Year at the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) brought significant staff changes, marking both a new beginning and a heartfelt farewell.
We are excited to announce that Alejandro Alaniz ‘18, hired as Career Coach in Summer 2023, has been promoted to Assistant Director. Alaniz, a native of the Rio Grande Valley, graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2018 with a degree in Spanish and is currently pursuing his MA in Educational Leadership. Since joining the CCPD, Alex has made a profound impact through several key initiatives. He founded the Career Launch Internship Program, spearheaded mock interviews in Spanish in collaboration with the Spanish department, and partnered with campus initiatives to support South Texas students. His creativity and artist’s eye have also enhanced CCPD’s designs and revamped Career Ambassador training. Beyond these accomplishments, Alejandro has been a tireless volunteer, supporting all CCPD events and programs with enthusiasm and dedication. His diverse background in education, from middle school English teaching to high school college prep, complements his role at the CCPD. Outside of work, Alex is an avid reader, MARVEL enthusiast, Disney fan, Netflix binger, and enjoys spending time with his two puppies, Milo and Bella. If you haven’t had the chance yet to meet Alex, visit him in the Career Studio this fall beginning in Week 2!
As we celebrate Alejandro’s new role, we also bid a fond farewell to Jackie Srodes, who retired after 21+ years of dedicated service to Kalamazoo College. Jackie’s strengths—empathy, development, positivity, futurism, and inclusion—were evident in every interaction with students, alumni, employers, and colleagues. She played a crucial role in career coaching, meeting with 1000+ students and alumni over the years. She helped grow the Career Ambassador program, partnered with faculty and presented in classrooms on topics like professional document creation and interview preparation, and supported numerous other CCPD initiatives and events. Her unwavering commitment and supportive presence will be deeply missed by the entire K community.
As we move forward, we look forward to the continued growth and success of the CCPD, driven by the legacy of excellence left by Jackie and the fresh energy and innovation brought by Alejandro. The CCPD will not be seeking to fill the current opening this academic year.