Liberal Studies alum Mark Wilson was selected as one of the 40 most influential individuals in the Traverse City region under the age of 40 by the Traverse City Business News.  Mark is the youngest elected member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Tribal Council.  Mark completed his degree on the Traverse City Campus.  His Liberal Studies degree concentration was focused on “Creativity in Tribal Leadership.” 

LEED Project Coordinator with Catalyst Partners

• Manages workloads of 16 people 
• Coordinates problem-solving projects related to sustainability in the workplace
• Before this: AmeriCorps, working with Healthy Homes Initiative

Danielle majored in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Sustainability. She says:

“It is so important to get involved in groups or organizations that interest you. Some organizations will inspire you while others will bore you – use those experiences to narrow your career path. In the right organizations you will make friends, develop critical skills necessary in the workplace, expand your worldview, and build your resume. If you really make good use of your time with those groups, you will be presented with amazing opportunities that will allow you to graduate a highly-skilled, well-connected, and prepared professional.”

Community Resource Navigator, United Way of the Lakeshore

• Provided over 1700 hours of service
• Recruited over 96 volunteers
• Trained 88 volunteers on MiBridges
• Assisted with over 400 applications for DHS benefits
• Assisted in over 170 new accounts

Liberal Studies alum Denyel Kolka, who completed coursework at GVSU's Muskegon campus, has completed one year of service at United Way of the Lakeshore through AmeriCorps as a Community Resource Navigator.  Kolka exceed the company’s expectations in recruiting and training volunteers as well as participated in 10 community service projects.

Service Representative, Armstrong World Industries

• Responsible for sales in Chicago, Northern Indiana, and all over Michigan
• Had 45% growth in sales in one year
• Leads the nation in sales growth
• Before this: worked full-time while completing degree at Holland campus

Kristopher majored in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Business Leadership. He says: 

"The biggest thing I found to be of benefit in liberal studies is the people. The format and the structure of the classes really allow people to have open dialogue with one another. So much of what I do in Armstrong has to do with communication. It is critical in today's business."

Research and Editorial Consultant, Market Partners International

• Serves as office manager
• Stays on top of publishing industry trends
• Creates professional documents: proposals, contracts, etc.
• Before this: editorial intern at W.W. Norton, writing center consultant at GVSU
• From intern to full-time job over multiple companies in 2 years

Samantha graduated with a double-major in English and Women & Gender Studies. She says: 

“My Student Summer Scholars research grant helped me build my own schedule and hold myself to it. I had to manage my own time and set my own goals and guidelines during that summer. Of course I had a faculty advisor to answer to, but it was largely on me to make sure I was completing my tasks on schedule. In every job I’ve had, I mostly have myself to answer to in terms of setting schedules, managing my time, and achieving goals.”

International Programs Advisor at the University of Michigan College of Engineering

• Advises for international programs in Asia, Australia and the UK
• Coordinates programs for international students
• Teaches seminars and develops research
• Before this: intern in Grand Rapids, studied abroad in Barcelona

Emily majored in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations regarding Social and Cultural Issues. She says:

"As a student, I interned at the Women’s Resource in Grand Rapids where I contributed to the agency’s fundraising goals.  I received this position because of my background in public relations, but also my Spanish language abilities and my interests in women and gender issues.  As a student I studied abroad in Barcelona for a semester and when I returned, I worked as a peer advisor at the Padnos International Center.  This was really the turning point for me.  Until this time, I had no idea that there was an entire profession dedicated to international education.  I think it was the combination of my coursework and this experience of working in an international center that ultimately made me realize that higher education was the perfect way to pursue all of my interests simultaneously."

Diversity Educator, Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance

• Develops and presents programs exploring issues of social justice and racial equity
• Before this: ARMY, flight attendant, Muskegon Community College, GVSU, Western Michigan
• Studied abroad multiple times

Alfredo majored in Liberal Studies with a minor in philosophy. He points to study abroad as a factor in his success:

“I was able to understand much more in depth the society in which I live, along with the complexities of issues that lead to numerous problems (poverty, segregation, injustices, claims of infallibility, etc). My time in Nicaragua with GVSU (studying socially conscious innovative projects with local universities) and my time in Japan with Western Michigan (studying Buddhism) allowed me to establish strong connections with faculty and students that continue up until today.”