Kalamazoo Promise Launches Second Annual Regional Business Challenge to Hire College Promise Interns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Von Washington, Jr., Executive Director of Community Relations- info@kalamazoopromise.com | 269.337.0037

{KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, Oct. 3} - The Kalamazoo Promise is excited to launch registration for Higher Promise 2023, an initiative challenging regional business partners to hire postsecondary Promise Scholars for paid summer internships. 

“Research indicates that quality immersive internships in post-secondary fields of study are essential to positive outcomes after graduation. Higher Promise is taking that experience to the next level by partnering with regional employers that care deeply about diversity, equity, and inclusion. The first year of Higher Promise was a successful community opportunity, and we look forward to the impact this second year will have on this year’s scholars,” said Von Washington, Jr., Executive Director of Community Relations for The Kalamazoo Promise.

In the first year of Higher Promise, 40 Scholars were placed in internships. In the summer of 2023, The Promise is challenging the business community to hire 75 Promise Scholars into internships aligned with their fields of study.

The Promise facilitates matching between internship seekers and companies, aligning student majors and interests with the needs of employers. According to Sarah Klerk, Senior Director of Organizational Strategy and Workforce Innovation, "The Promise does this to ensure Promise Scholars, especially populations with unequal access to high wage careers, have access to paid internships that align with student majors, so they are positioned to obtain a well-paying job in their chosen career field after college."

“The matching process helps to remove the biases and barriers oftentimes associated with students’ ability to obtain quality internship and employment opportunities. It also gives employers the opportunity to bring in students from an alternate talent pool to support our diversity and inclusion efforts,” said Demecia LaBarre, Program Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Stryker.

The business community is recognizing the benefits of Higher Promise.  “Higher Promise creates opportunities for Kalamazoo businesses to engage with the next generation of young, talented, and diverse leaders,” said Carla Sones, President of Southwest Michigan First.

In addition to their internships, Scholars participate in a Workplace Navigation course centered around personal and professional development, assisting Scholars with the skills necessary to succeed not only in their internship, but in their respective career fields.

“Higher Promise gave me the opportunity to acquire and improve skills that will be helpful in my professional journey,” said Daniel Nonato Nonato, who worked as an accounting intern at Kalamazoo Public Schools this summer.

Some notable area businesses have already taken the pledge to hire Promise Scholars for summer 2023. “Not only is Stryker planning to hire Higher Promise interns next summer, but we are also looking to double the number of interns we bring into our organization through this program,” LaBarre said.

In addition to Stryker, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Bronson Healthcare Group, Mann+Hummel, Pfizer and the Kellogg Company plan to participate in Higher Promise in 2023, and local business partners are challenging other companies to participate in the program next summer.

“I highly recommend that businesses throughout our community engage with the Higher Promise program. This is an excellent way for your business to partner with other businesses to connect our young people to career opportunities in our region,” Sones said.

Higher Promise 2023 will be offered to Promise Scholars enrolled in any qualifying post-secondary institution.

Higher Promise’s purpose is to support opportunity, equity, and ensure that pathways to careers in Kalamazoo are accessible to all Promise Scholars, especially populations with unequal access to high-wage careers.

For more information about Higher Promise, please visit www.kalamazoopromise.com/higher-promise.