KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo College President Jorge G. Gonzalez reflected on the state of the College and shared a bit about its future vision at K’s annual Community Breakfast on Thursday, October 6.
In attendance were local and state officials, business and community leaders and area educators representing more than 40 organizations and institutions.
During the breakfast, Gonzalez spoke about the College’s diverse enrollment, updates to the Campus Master Plan and the many partnerships that exist
between the College’s various centers and local community organizations, schools, city government and businesses.
In his remarks, Gonzalez said that Kalamazoo College continues to bring in exceptional classes of students from around the U.S. and the world. This year, the College welcomed 372 first-year students from 22 states and seven countries.
Gonzalez noted that while K’s six-year graduation rate for Pell-eligible students is laudable—nearly 80 percent compared to a national median of 44 percent—the College is focused on inclusion and supporting the diverse needs of students, particularly those who are first-generation college students, and providing
students access to all the experiential opportunities that K offers.
He then touched on future changes to the landscape of the College, including the long-term development of new and renewed residential housing and “changes to build better bridges between the campus and the city.”
“As we look to the future, we envision K being well-known for excelling at supporting all students through a rich liberal arts experience,” said Gonzalez who wants Kalamazoo College to continue to be a place where every student is supported equitably and provided access to the tools and resources to succeed—not only accepting the best students, but graduating the best—and where the best are more representative of the world.
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