Impact

The CCPD aims to educate and empower Kalamazoo College students and alumni to discover their talents, build their professional networks, and apply their learning to meaningful lives after K. We invite each student to CONSIDER their values, strengths, and interests as they build their K-Plan, COMMUNICATE their knowledge, skills, and experiences effectively to access opportunities, and CONNECT with employers, alumni, and other professionals to explore and test options for their next steps.

Past Years’ Impact Reports

Impact Report: Academic Year 2023-2024

Impact report Academic Year 2024-2025

This year, we engaged in a deep, collaborative planning process to shape the next chapter of our work. The result was a three-year strategic plan that outlines our commitment to making career readiness more visible, integrated, and equitable, without compromising the distinctive power of a Kalamazoo College education.

We listened closely to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and employers. Their insights, combined with responses from more than 2,100 alumni who completed the National Alumni Career Mobility Survey last fall, helped shape our direction. What we heard was that students need earlier, clearer, and more personalized guidance as they explore what comes next. And they need to see how their K experience prepares them not just for jobs, but for lives of purpose and adaptability.

To meet that need, we began designing a developmental career readiness curriculum that aligns with a student’s journey from the first year to graduation.

Key priorities in the plan include:

  • Integrating career development more deeply into the student experience, with clear scaffolding from first year to graduation
  • Expanding equity and access, especially for first-generation students and those navigating unpaid opportunities
  • Strengthening our employer and alumni networks to open doors for mentoring, internships, and meaningful post-K outcomes
  • Embracing tools and technologies that support career exploration, connection, and self-directed learning

Our aim is to ensure every student gets access to the right support at the right time, without missing out or receiving the same information over and over. This work is already guiding our collaborations across campus and will serve as the foundation for embedded, scaffolded career learning throughout the student experience.

We’re not layering job prep on top of the liberal arts. Rather, we’re illuminating the career power already embedded in it. Read the full CCPD Strategic Plan (2025–2028)

Program Innovation: Pilots with Purpose!

This was a year of trying new things and learning fast! We launched multiple pilots focused on expanding access and increasing student confidence at every stage of the career journey.

Haziel Cerroblanco ’28 (from left) is among the Kalamazoo College students who took advantage of spring break in March to job shadow at local businesses. As a bonus, his experience at SalesPage Technologies allowed him to network with four K alumni: Ana Evans ’02, Ranjeet Ghorpade ’15, Jasmin Murillo ’22 and Trevor Hunsanger ’22.

K in the Zoo

The K in the Zoo Job Shadow Program offered 25 students short, high-impact opportunities to explore local workplaces hosted by 22 alumni and employer partners across industries such as healthcare, education, city government, engineering, corporate HR, and nonprofit sectors. Scheduled over the College’s Spring Break, this program aimed to connect students with real-world work environments in a low-barrier and short-term format. Participant Emma Olson said, “This shadowing experience really helped me understand what kind of career I want to pursue in the future and helped me to see the kind of professional future I could have in a more tangible way.”

Read more about K in the Zoo

K to NYC

The K to NYC Hornet Trek took 10 first-generation students to meet alumni in a range of industries across New York City during Spring Break. The group included mostly first-year and sophomore students who were eager to explore career paths and build connections outside the classroom. Over the course of five days, students participated in job shadow experiences hosted by eight alumni working across a variety of fields, including finance, education, theater, media, and nonprofit work. Participant Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta said, “I used to think networking was about being polished and perfect. But during this [K to NYC] trip, I learned that being genuinely curious and asking honest questions can be just as powerful.” 

Read more about K to NYC

Career Right Here

On campus, we introduced FirstGen2Success, a new PE/Wellness course supporting first-generation students through career reflection, skill-building, and connection. We also expanded our Career Studio: extending hours, expanding drop-in options, and offering free professional headshots to help 96 students present themselves confidently in person and online.

Alumni were also essential this year for events like Game Plan: K Alumni in the Sports Industry, where we parterned with the Alumni Association Engagement Board to bring several alumni to campus to discuss how to break in to their competitive industry.

Partnering was also a theme this year. We collaborated with 17 faculty members across 10 academic departments to deliver 23 in-class career development sessions, reaching 518 students. As part of our effort to build a clear, consistent curriculum that supports students from their first year through graduation, we embedded career content into 4 First-Year Seminars and 6 Senior Seminars, providing timely, relevant guidance at both the beginning and end of students’ time at K.

Our partnerships extended beyond the classroom, too. We worked with seven non-academic departments and three student organizations to meet students where they are and make career development a visible, integrated part of their campus experience.

Other standout moments included our Employer Connection Fair, where 88 students made professional connections. Some students walked away from the event with job/internship offers in hand!

Building Tools for the Future

Digitally, we explored new and better options for both students and alumni career development. We partnered with the Office of Alumni Engagement to prepare for the launch of KConnect, a new alumni-student networking platform powered by Alumnifire. Students will gain access this fall, and will be supported through a short onboarding module that builds confidence and helps them approach career conversations with professionalism and purpose.

We also began a new partnership with PathwayU, a values-based career assessment platform that will be available to students beginning Fall 2025. At the same time, we begain designing a Career Development Toolkit, a series of short, self-paced learning modules on foundational career topics. Topics ready for the fall will include Basic Resumes and Career Conversations.

We also created an AI & Career Development resource, helping students use tools like ChatGPT for job searching, interview prep, and self-reflection, with guidance on responsible, ethical use.

Each of these new initiatives are shaping what is next: helping us meet students where they are. As we look ahead, we’re excited to keep building a career ecosystem where every student feels seen, supported, and ready.

KConnect screenshot
PathwayU screenshot

By The Numbers

These figures highlight some of the reach and impact of our work this year—reflecting both expanded access and deeper student engagement across programs, services, and alumni connections.


17

Faculty partners from 10 academic departments


633

Career Coaching Appointments with students and alumni


2X

increase in student attendees at CCPD events over AY 23-24

Alumni

Our alumni continued to be vital partners in our efforts to support students. This year, 154 alumni contributed to various programs and initiatives, including participating in Hornet Huddles, hosting job shadow opportunities,attending in-person networking events, or serving as speakers inside and outside the classroom. Students also reach out directly to alumni for individual career conversations, and they consistently report that these brief meetings are invaluable for their career exploration and decision-making. We look forward to more of these connections happening with the launch of KConnect. 

#aab_accordion_80631904_0 { }

 

Donors

Many of the Center for Career and Professional Development’s programs and services are made possible through the generous support of alumni, parents, and friends of the College. In addition to several anonymous donors, we gratefully acknowledge the following supporters: 

  • Alexandra Altman ’97 and Chris Altman ’97 
  • Tanya Cunningham ’82 and Jonathan Cunningham ’84 
  • Jack Lundeen ’69  
  • Estate of Katherine E. Rakowsky ’81 
  • Susan Thoms ’70 and David Thoms ’70 
  • Charles Zhang and Lynn Chen-Zhang  
  • And all others who have supported CCPD programs—your generosity makes a lasting impact, including our many endowed internship stipend funds.