Strengths:
Input, Ideation, Restorative, Learner, Empathy
Contact Valerie for:
- Questions about CCPD services
- Information about K-Treks and K-Connect
- Discussion around on and off-campus recruitment opportunities
- Alumni engagement opportunities around student career development
About:
Valerie develops relationships with alumni and employers to generate/implement ideas to expand career opportunities for K students. Previously a visiting instructor in the Department of Theatre Arts, Valerie is experienced in teaching, facilitating groups, public speaking, and program development. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Social Work from Boston University. When not at work, Valerie enjoys time with her husband, Matt Longjohn ’93, and two sons, Till and Max. She also can be found walking in the woods, swimming laps, or banging on the piano and singing at the top of her lungs.
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:
- First Destination Survey (Graduate Outcomes) and CCPD Data
- Career Delegate Program (faculty/staff)
- Career Coaching appointments
- Website maintenance
- Handshake questions
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.
Jacqueline Srodes
Assistant Director
Email Jackie
Visit Jackie on LinkedIn
Schedule a Career Coaching Appointment on Handshake
Strengths:
Empathy, Developer, Positivity, Futuristic, Includer
Contact Jackie for:
- Career Coaching appointments
- Professional document critiques
- Interview preparation
About
Jackie assists students and alumni with career planning, utilizing career coaching strategies and assessment to inspire others to reach their potentials. She has an extensive background in experiential education facilitation and has worked with groups and teams, including ropes courses and initiative sites. She enjoys visiting the Arboretum with her family, noticing the outdoor beauty in every season. Jackie received her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University and her Master of Arts degree from Western Michigan University in the Counselor Education/Counseling Psychology Program.
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 Externship and Internship Programs
- 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
Career Coach
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 and promoting internship and job opportunities for K students
- Information about the On-Campus Job Fair
- Career Studio information and questions
- Handshake student account questions
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.
Laura DeVilbiss ’25
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Byron, MN
Strengths:
Input, Connectedness, Restorative, Ideations, Belief
Majors:
Spanish and Psychology
Other on-campus involvements:
MPC Consultant, Academy Street Winds Member
Alex Nam ’25
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Houston, TX
Strengths:
Belief, Achiever, Responsibility, Communication, Context
Major:
German Studies and International & Area Studies
Other on-campus involvements:
President’s Student Ambassador, Interfaith Leader, Water Polo
Jade Acosta ’25
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Van Nuys, CA
Strengths:
Futuristic, Individualism, Strategy, Analytical, Intelligence
Major:
Psychology and Art
Other on-campus involvements:
CAPs and Visual Art Club
Blagoja Naskovski ’24
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Skopje, Macedonia
Strengths:
Activator, Communication, Adaptability, and Intellection
Major:
Economics
Other on-campus involvements:
DSA for Economics, Presidential Student Ambassador, KRock
Hyunwoo Kim ’24
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Seoul, South Korea
Major:
Business
Other Activities at K:
Student Services Intern at CIP
Lorelei Moxon ’26
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Grand Rapids, MI
Strengths:
Discipline, Analytical, Achiever, Empathy, Strategic
Major:
English with a concentration on Film and Media Studies
Other on-campus involvements:
WMU Marching Band (Piccolo), Kalamazoo Philharmonic (Flute)
Derik Torres ’24
Career Ambassador
Hometown:
Brownsville, TX
Strengths:
Determination, Compassion, Integrity, Creativity, and Collaboration
Major:
Double Major Computer Science & Math
Other Activities at K:
DSA for Computer Science, Lead MPC Consultant, LSO Treasurer