Carter Haley ’28 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS)
Contact: Carter.Haley24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I think it is important and necessary to form connections and do social justice work when and where it is needed. I want to be able to Utilize the personal experiences, resources, education, and privileges to help and uplift those who are less fortunate than me.
Gloria Jackson ’26 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS)
Contact: Gloria.Jackson22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community to learn more about the people of Kalamazoo and their stories. I want to gain new perspectives and engage with community members with the goal of creating a more equitable Kalamazoo.
Hannah Parsons ’26 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Club Grub at Woodward Elementary
Contact: Hannah.Parsons22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
Food gives us life: it is a fact of both human nature and biology. I want to engage with community to ensure that every kid and every family has access to food that nourishes our bodies and embodies our cultures so that we can do more than just survive day to day.
Rubi Gonzalez ’28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for El Sol Elementary Partnership
Contact: Brizza.Gonzalez24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
To me, it is important that I engage with my community because I was once in their kids’ shoes. I received help when I needed it and want to be able to give back that help.
Miranda Moreno ’28 (they/she/he)
Civic Engagement Scholar for El Sol Elementary Partnership
Contact: Miranda.Moreno24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage in community because it strengthens and ignites hope. Support from the community has uplifted my family’s spirits and formed the person I am today.
Ella Flourry ’26 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo County ID (KCID)
Contact: Ella.Flourry22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with community because it allows me to feel a part of the city of Kalamazoo. Additionally, it allows me to connect my education and career path to my day to day life in a more one on one way.
Adriana Vazquez ’28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo Language and Intercultural Partners (KLIP)
Contact: Adriana.Vazquez24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I can connect with what some students are going through. This helps me have a better understanding of what they might be going through and be more empathetic with them.
Seth Harris ’27 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo Language and Intercultural Partners (KLIP)
Contact: Seth.Harris23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
Being in the community in any way has always been a big passion of mine, and working in education is something I truly love. Every day that I get to go into the community I am active in and being able to interact in any way I can is the purpose I have.
Lyrica Gee ’26 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for K Votes Coalition
Contact: Lyrica.Gee22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I don’t believe that political knowledge should be restricted to the classroom. The best source for local and collective action is hands-on work that centers under-represented members of the campus and Kalamazoo community who have been ignored by the existing system.
Ellie Morgan ’28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for K Votes Coalition
Contact: Elizabeth.Morgan24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community/programs because I am really interested in how we work within our government and make changes in it, and I want to help people become empowered in their community and government.
Kate Suarez ’28 (she/they)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Swim for Success (SFS)
Contact: Katherine.Suarez24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community to form reciprocal relationships with those around me and feel more grounded in my place within the community. I love learning and growing through connections with others.
Aiden Martel ’26 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Swim for Success (SFS)
Contact: William.Martel22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I believe that all children should have access to affordable swim lessons and tutoring. Community engagement through SFS works to address this in our community.
Lily Nestich ’28 (they/them)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Students for Reproductive Freedom (SRF)
Contact: Lily.Nestich24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
Community is important to keep us all connected, make us feel valued, and tell other people that they are cared about. It is our support system, and I want to do everything I can to better our community.
Nora Parks-Church ’26 (she/they)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Students for Reproductive Freedom (SRF)
Contact: Eleanor.Parks-Church22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
It’s super important to me that everyone in the community, no matter their gender identity, race, or economic status, has access to reproductive/gender affirming care. Working in the Kalamazoo community helps ensure that voices in the community are being heard.
Maya Lopez ‘28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Woodward Elementary Partnership
Contact: Maya.Lopez24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I love to see how positive presences can change a life, and I believe that the work you put into the world reflects who you are. I want to give back to a community that has given me so much.
Isabel Reyes ’26 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Woodward Elementary Partnership
Contact: Isabel.Reyes22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I love learning from and sharing with others. Working with the CCE has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at K!
Maggie Lynch ’28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo RESA Transition services (KTS)
Contact: Mairead.Lynch24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because more people need to know about the power of inclusion. Choosing to include others is an easy way to show people you care about who they are.
Alyson Kemery K’26
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo RESA Transition services (KTS)
Contact: Alyson.Kemery22@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with community because I enjoy the sense of togetherness that community offers. I think equality, equity, and belonging should be inherent, and I enjoy working to ensure they are.