Strengths:
Input, Ideation, Restorative, Learner, Empathy
Contact Valerie for:
- Information about CCPD’s vision and strategic plan
- Faculty and staff partnerships
- Development of new initiatives
- Design your Path PE/Wellness course
About:
Valerie leads the center’s efforts to expand career opportunities for students through strategic partnerships, innovative programming, and data-driven decision-making. She collaborates with faculty, alumni, and employers to integrate career development into the student experience, to ensure that all students gain the skills, connections, and confidence to pursue meaningful careers. With over 20 years of experience in education, administration, and program development, Valerie brings a collaborative and student-centered approach to her work. She holds an M.S.W. from Boston University and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan. She is actively involved in national career education networks and continually seeks innovative ways to enhance student career readiness. Outside of work, Valerie enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt Longjohn ’93, and their two adult children (and grand-pets). She finds joy in performing with the Blendings Vocal Ensemble, swimming laps at the Y, and taking long walks in the woods.
Rachel Wood
Associate Director
Email Rachel
Visit Rachel on LinkedIn
Schedule a Career Coaching Appointment on Handshake
Strengths:
Intellection, Individualization, Achiever, Responsibility, Harmony
Contact Rachel for:
- Graduate Outcomes and CCPD Data
- Externship/job shadow programs
- Classroom presentations
- Career coaching appointments
- Website maintenance
About
Rachel is a mom, wife, professional educator, board-game player, when-solo-driving pop singer, #ExcessiveHashtagUser, and thrift shop enthusiast. She enjoys helping students and alumni make connections between their interests, skills, and goals to find meaningful career paths for their lives “after K.” She especially enjoys teaching, professional document creation and revision, mock interviews, and helping people utilize technology to develop both themselves and their networks. She knows when it’s time to get serious while most admiring those with a healthy sense of humor. Rachel earned both an undergraduate teaching degree in English and a Master of Arts in Counseling Education/Counseling Psychology at Western Michigan University.
Richard Sylvester
Assistant Director, Experiential Opportunities
Email Richard
Visit Richard on LinkedIn
Schedule a Career Coaching Appointment on Handshake
Strengths:
Intellection, Strategic, Input, Learner, Analytical
Contact Richard for:
- Career Coaching appointments
- Professional document critiques
- Interview preparation
- Answers to questions about internship stipends
- Campus Employment questions
About
Richard started at K in January of 2016. A Michigan native, Richard has BS in Political Science and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling both from Andrews University. Richard has studied abroad in Australia, Fiji, China, and Tibet. He is an avid sports fan, a voracious reader and also enjoys writing, cooking and traveling.
Alejandro Alaniz ’18
Assistant Director
Email Alex
Visit Alex on LinkedIn
Schedule a Career Coaching Appointment on Handshake
Strengths:
Individualization, Learner, Achiever, Includer, Input
Contact Alex for:
- Career Coaching appointments
- Professional document critiques
- Interview preparation
About
Alejandro graduated from Kalamazoo College in 2018. A Rio Grande Valley native, Alejandro has a Spanish BA and is working on his MA in Educational Leadership. Alejandro has worked in several different capacities within education, from a middle school English teacher to a high school college prep teacher. He is an avid reader, MARVEL enthusiast, Disney fan, and Netflix binger. He also enjoys spending time with his two puppies, Milo and Bella.
Strengths:
Achiever, Developer, Positivity, Relator, Arranger
Contact Keri for:
- Assistance posting opportunities for K students
- Career Studio information and questions
- Handshake student account questions
- Questions about Employer Connection Fair
- Career Coaching appointments.
About
Keri began working for Kalamazoo College in March of 2018. She obtained her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University and her Master’s in Business Administration from Western Michigan University in Business Management. She has worked in several different industries throughout her career and has recently rejoined the workforce after staying at home with her two children for ten years. She is an avid reader, scrapbooker, crafter, and sports fan. She also enjoys cooking and baking for her family.
Anahi Barajas ’26
Career Advisor
Hometown:
Weslaco, TX
Strengths:
Empathy, Woo, Belief, Positivity, Communication
Major:
Business and Critical Ethnic Studies
Other on-campus involvements:
Working at Media Services, Treasurer for Latinx Student Organization
Thomas Bentley ’25
Career Advisor
Hometown:
White Lake, MI
Strengths:
Deliberative, Futuristic, Relator, Analytical, Focus
Major:
Economics
Laura DeVilbiss ’25
Career Advisor
Hometown:
Byron, MN
Strengths:
Context, Restorative, Belief, Developer, Responsibility
Majors:
Spanish and Psychology
Other on-campus involvements:
DSA for the Psychology Department, Academy Street Winds
Alex Nam ’25
Career Advisor
Hometown:
Houston, TX
Strengths:
Context, Futuristic, Focus, Command, Strategic
Major:
German Studies and International & Area Studies
Other on-campus involvements:
President’s Student Ambassadors, Hillel at K, Water Polo Club, DSA for German Department, RA in Trowbridge
Malin Nordmoe ’25
Career Advisor
Hometown:
Kalamazoo, MI
Strengths:
Relator, Harmony, Achiever, Context, Maximizer
Major:
Psychology Major with minors in Political Science and Anthropology & Sociology
Other on-campus involvements:
Member of the Asian Pacific Islander Student Association (APISA) and Women of Color Alliance (WOCA) President and Founder of the Kalamazoo College Grand Prix Club
Schreene Romero Rivera ’27
Career Advisor
Hometown:
Brownsville, TX
Strengths:
Learner, Discipline, Input, Consistency, Analytical
Major:
Computer Science and Economics
Other on-campus involvements:
Computer Science Society, Marketing & Investment Club
Leslie Santos ’25
Career Advisor
Hometown:
Glendale, CA
Strengths:
Consistency, Discipline, Developer, Empathy, Relator
Major:
Biology and Psychology, with a Community & Global Health Concentration
Other on-campus involvements:
SRA of Trowbridge, Volunteer for Food Recovery Network, DSA of Biology Department