Fifteen Lakers return to campus as Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence

November 25, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 7)
Article by Abby Jones

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To recognize past alumni and inspire current students, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences honored its 2025 Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence during Homecoming with a luncheon November 7 at the Alumni House and Visitor Center.

The CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence program offers a venue for college departments to invite notable alumni back to Grand Valley’s campus to share their experiences, insights and advice with students. 

All of the honorees stand out with impressive accomplishments, such as the examples below.

Justice Kyra Harris Bolden earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010, then a juris doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. After an appointment by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Bolden joined the Michigan Supreme Court in 2023 and is the first Black woman in the state to serve as a Supreme Court justice.

Jordan Karsten earned a bachelor's degree in anthropology and health science in 2009. He then earned master’s and doctoral degrees in anthropology from the State University of New York. As a professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Karsten’s research focuses on the human skeleton and its interpretation in both ancient and modern contexts. He also serves as a forensic anthropologist for the Wisconsin State Laboratory, helping to identify victims and assisting with cold cases. 

Aleksandar Bogdanić earned a master's degree in communications in 1991 and then a doctoral degree in communication from the University of Belgrade. Bogdanić co-founded the Banja Luka College of Communication and has taught at universities worldwide. He also serves as Herzegovina’s ambassador to Canada.            

Below is a list of the 2025 CLAS Distinguished Alumni-in-Residence.

• Aleksandar Bogdanić (M.S. Communication)
• Justice Kyra Harris Bolden (B.S. Psychology)
• Jennifer Bourbina (M.H.S. Biomedical Sciences)
• Brett Brockman (M.S. Cell and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology Emphasis)
• Megan Damico (B.S Biomedical Science, Microbiology Emphasis)
• Krista A. Geister (B.S. Cell and Molecular Biology)
• Jordan Karsten (B.S. Anthropology; B.S. Health Sciences)
• Allison Kranz (B.S. Sociology)
• Jeremy Llorence (B.A. Writing)
• Nathaniel Ryan Mehmed (B.S. Geography and Planning)
• Sarah Myles (B.A. Advertising & Public Relations)
• Emily Najera (B.A. Photography and Communications)
• Nicolas Pike (B.S. Physics)
• Lucas Smielewski (B.S. Applied Mathematics and Statistics)
• Taylor Thorpe (PsyS, School Psychology)

Learn more about the alumni-in-residence program here.

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