Kalamazoo Promise Launches 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, November 4, 2021} - The Kalamazoo Promise is launching Higher Promise, a community-wide initiative challenging regional business partners to hire Promise Scholars for paid summer internships.
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.
It connects the business community to post-secondary talent and Promise Scholars to authentic learning experiences in their fields of interest creating a professional network that supports career success. The Promise will facilitate internship matching between internship seekers and companies, aligning student majors and interests with the needs of local business partners.
“Over its 16-year existence the donors of The Kalamazoo Promise have invested over 150 million dollars in human capital. Throughout that time the community has stepped up to remove barriers to success and provided essential supports to Promise scholars. We see Higher Promise as the next series of supports in a student’s journey to a great career,” said Von Washington, Jr., Executive Director of Community Relations for The Kalamazoo Promise.
In a joint statement of support, Dr. Edward Montgomery President of Western Michigan University and Dr. Candy McCorkle Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion indicated, “The Kalamazoo Promise is poised to move beyond providing access and support to post-secondary students while pursuing their educational and career goals.”
“Kalamazoo’s business community is looking for opportunities to hire Promise Scholars,” said Sarah Klerk, Director of Workforce Strategy & Business Collaboration for The Kalamazoo Promise. “Higher Promise creates a system that is easy to navigate for both businesses looking for employees and students looking for good jobs in Kalamazoo.”
Some notable area businesses have already taken the pledge to hire Promise Scholars for summer 2022. “Flowserve, Mann+Hummel, Newmind Group, Southwest Michigan First, Stryker, and TowerPinkster to name a few have accepted the challenge and we’re excited to hear from other industry leaders,” said Washington.
“This is an opportunity for the business community to continue to partner to develop our future workforce,” stated Klerk. “Business partners will have access to free workshops on running an internship program, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, and mentoring college interns.”
The first cohort will focus on Promise Scholars currently attending Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and Kalamazoo College. The Promise intends to expand outreach to Scholars at all Promise-eligible institutions in coming years.
Announced in 2005, The Kalamazoo Promise is a scholarship for each Kalamazoo Public School’s resident graduate that provides up to 100% tuition for post-secondary education.
For more information about Higher Promise, please visit www.kalamazoopromise.com/higher-promise.
