Marcus Lloyd ’29 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS)
Contact: Marcus.Lloyd25@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the Kalamazoo community because I want to do my part in helping the community and giving the next generation the confidence and resources needed to help make that change a reality. Additionally, I can personally relate to a lot of the circumstances of the scholars we work with, and they’re all wonderful people to be around.
Micahaia Reynolds ’27 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Community Advocates for Parents and Students (CAPS)
Contact: Micahaia.Reynolds23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community of Kalamazoo because I see myself in this community. When I look at the community I partner with, I see my family, people I want to feel protected, and people God called me to love.
Zaira Ramirez ’29 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Club Grub at Woodward Elementary
Contact: Zaira.Ramirez25@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I believe the meaningful interactions we have should be rooted in people’s lived experiences and community needs. As I learn from others, I want to use my knowledge to support the students, strengthen relationships, and contribute to positive social change.
Alondra Lopez ’27 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for El Sol Elementary Partnership
Contact: Alondra.Lopez23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
Building relationships with the community around us brings new shared experiences that make Kalamazoo a home away from home. I love meeting the amazing people in the 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.
Ash Rodriguez ’27 (he/they)
Civic Engagement Scholar for El Sol Elementary Partnership
Contact: Ash.Rodriguez23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
The community of Kalamazoo has welcomed me with open arms since freshman year, and has given me many relationships, experiences, and a new home. Nurturing and cultivating alongside the community of Kalamazoo is my way of giving back as much as the community has given me.
Eli Van Drie ’27 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo County ID (KCID)
Contact: Eli.VanDrie23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
As members of an institution of higher education, we have a responsibility to be concious and intentional about our presence within the community. Working directly with members of the public at the county ID program allows me to be a more active member of the Kalamazoo community and a better representative of K college.
Isabella Contreras ’29 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo Language and Intercultural Partners (KLIP)
Contact: Isabella.Contreras25@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I like engaging with the community because I can explore new fields(like meeting new people or cultures). Engaging with the community also teaches me a lot of new things and is shaping me as a person, and changing the way I see the world.
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?
I love working with youth in a community similar to my hometown, and being able to give back and support the next generation of leaders below me fulfills my purpose.
Kiersten West ’28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for K Votes Coalition
Contact: Kiersten.west24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the Kalamazoo community because it feels like a place where my curiosity, creativity, and desire to connect genuinely matter. Being involved here lets me contribute to local initiatives that reflect my values, whether that’s uplifting others, sharing ideas, or helping create spaces where people feel seen.
Jack Hartung ’27 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for K Votes Coalition
Contact: Jack.Hartung23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community of Kalamazoo to encourage equality and equity. In our complex world with individuals from various backgrounds, I feel that it is critical that everyone has the resources they need to live a safe and fulfilling life.
Briza Leyva-Regalet ’27 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Swim for Success (SFS)
Contact: Briza.Leyva-Regalet23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community of Kalamazoo because they accepted me to be able to have an education and I would love to give back what they have given me, it also allows me to personally grow and learn.
Issac Duncan ’27 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Swim for Success (SFS)
Contact: Isaac.Duncan23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I believe it’s incredibly important to have strong role models growing up. It’s important to push the kids to do more than they could have ever imagined.
Griffin Davis ’28 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Students for Reproductive Freedom (SRF)
Contact: Griffin.Davis24@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community of Kalamazoo because I want to help make it a better place to live for everyone. There’s a lot to love about this city, but there are also quite a few deep-rooted issues that I hope to help address and change.
MacKenzie Cruz ’27 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Students for Reproductive Freedom (SRF)
Contact: MacKenzie.Cruz23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community because I want to contribute to the work being done on reproductive justice. There is a lot of inequity when it comes to access to reproductive healthcare and reproductive products, which needs to change.
Mo Silcott ‘27 (they/them)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Woodward Elementary Partnership
Contact: Mo.Silcott23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
The community of Kalamazoo has impacted my life in monumental ways, changing the trajectory of where I want to be in the future. In my mind, it is only right that I do what I can where I’m wanted to contribute to change and future engagement with the community.
Zane Jones ’27 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Woodward Elementary Partnership
Contact: Zane.Jones23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community of Kalamazoo because I think it is important to understand how their experiences have shaped their identity. I think it is important to engage with students to support them and their education.
Lexi Gross ’28 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo RESA Transition services (KTS)
Contact: Alexis.Gross25@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community of Kalamazoo because I want to contribute to a more inclusive and accessible world. I hope to help make a meaningful impact on the lives of people with disabilities.
Ben Asmus ’27 (he/him)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Kalamazoo RESA Transition services (KTS)
Contact: Louis.Asmus23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I engage with the community to empower constituents with disabilities and create a community that is intertwined with the people who have disability rather than separation
Sa’Niyah Bedell ’27 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Urban Alliance
Contact: Saniyah.Bedell23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
As an honorary member of Kalamazoo’s community, I find it essential to understand and assist those in need. I come from a more privileged standing in Kalamazoo as a K college student, so I want to help as much as I can, utilizing the resources I’ve been blessed with because back home I was a recipient of programs similar to those offered by the CCE and want to give back as much as I can.
Mariam Diouf ’27 (she/her)
Civic Engagement Scholar for Community Gardens
Contact: Mariam.Diouf23@kzoo.edu
Why do you engage with community?
I Always want to know more about my community. Engaging with the community of Kalamazoo means learning about the people that give it life, it’s history, it’s issues, and all the bits and pieces that make Kalamazoo what it is today. By doing this I want to lend a hand in making this community better for everyone.