News
Giving Back to My Community
August 14, 2019
By Emma Schrider
From nonprofit studies at Grand Valley in Allendale to an unexpected foray into politics, Tracy Wittkopp’s journey is one that credits her tenacity and devotion to people. Intending at first to study journalism like her grandfather, Tracy left the comfort of her family and their deep roots in the north for Grand Valley State University and new experiences. A lover of the outdoors, she immediately felt at ease and home at the Allendale campus and appreciated that city life in Grand Rapids was just a bus ride away.
Balancing exploring, internships with the Leelanau Conservancy and her Grand Valley course work, Tracy turned her focus to a major in communications and a minor in nonprofit studies. She credits her experiences with pulling her out of introversion and guiding her into a boldness that supports her now as the Charitable Giving Analyst for Munson Healthcare Foundations.
“Dr. [Corey] Anton and [Dr.] Dianne Kimoto especially were mentors for me. They were so engaging”. Tracy praises her favorite educators for their boldness. “It can be easy to sit back and not say anything,” she says, sharing her belief that to engage with a community she must move past worry about what some people might think or say. To Tracy, one of the largest impediments to giving back is fear, and the lessons she learned in her time at GVSU made all the difference. “I don’t feel scared to speak up [for people].”
After graduating in 2008, Tracy put her sense of empowered advocacy to work in politics. She seized an opportunity to hit the campaign trail with a state representative whose counties included her beloved Leelanau, and after his victory moved to Lansing to serve as a legislative aide.
One day, the memories of her fulfilling undergraduate internships enriching the lives of northern Michigan residents still fresh, Tracy saw a school group visiting the capital from her childhood alma mater. She reminisced with her old teachers, met new students, and was swept north again. Six months later an ideal job with Munson became available, and Tracy rejoined her family and the boyfriend who is now her husband.
Upon returning, Tracy co-founded the GVSU Traverse City Alumni Chapter, hoping to preserve her sense of Grand Valley’s academic comradery. Tracy discovered that the ability to gain a high level understanding of what her fellow Lakers bring to the table in Traverse City interested her both professionally and personally. She continues to explore what opportunities the school may yet have to offer her. “I’ve definitely thought about a Master’s [degree].”