What if you could grab coffee with someone who once stood exactly where you are but now works for the Detroit Lions, the U.S. Department of State, or Johnson & Johnson?

KConnect Week (Dec. 2–6) is all about meaningful connections between students and alumni. One of the best ways to get involved is through Hornet Huddles, 20-minute, one-on-one or small-group conversations with K alumni from a wide range of careers.

Alumni hosts have volunteered to share advice, career stories, and insights to help you explore options after K. Huddles happen on Zoom throughout the week.

Before signing up, check your calendar carefully and make sure you can attend. Once you register, show up. Alumni are setting aside time just for you, and it’ll be important not just for you but for future K students to honor your commitment.

How it works

• Log in to the KConnect Week portal with your KNet ID and password to view all alumni bios and available times.
• Each Huddle listing includes the alum’s field, interests, and signup link through Bookings.
• After you reserve a spot, you’ll receive a calendar invite with the Zoom link.

Featured Alumni Snapshots

A few of the many alumni ready to meet with you:

• Amanda Moss ’19 – Head of International Strategy, Detroit Lions: global sports business and leadership.
• Dr. Natalie Melnick ’15 – Physician Assistant, Henry Ford Health: liberal arts to medicine.
• Sarah Glass ’17 – Principal Scientist, Johnson & Johnson: biochemistry to drug discovery.
• Kyle Hartwell ’07 – Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State: diplomacy and global careers.
• Mallika Mitra ’16 – Journalist & Editor: business and finance storytelling.
• Bethany Whitehead ’98 – Director of Operations & Culture, Minnesota Museum of American Art: equity and leadership in the arts.
• Paul Guenette ’74 – Former CEO & Development Leader: 40 years in global agribusiness; author of From Kalamazoo to Timbuktu.
• Riya Bhuyan ’20 – Strategy & Operations Lead, Virya Projects: consulting to sustainability.
• Olivia Nalugya ’16 – Scientist III, Cardinal Health: first-generation international professional in healthcare innovation.
• Asia Liza Morales ’15 – Regional Vice President, The Posse Foundation: advancing education equity.
• Michael Zak ’09 – Principal Marketing Manager, Amazon: storytelling and innovation in tech.
• Daniel Henry ’20 – Associate Attorney, Marshall, Gerstein & Borun LLP: specializing in patent prosecution and AI/machine learning.

And that’s just the beginning! Dozens more alumni are ready to connect (seriously, we have 42!). Log in with your KNet ID to explore the full list and sign up for your Hornet Huddles.