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THE PRESENTERS
Elyse Hogan
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Title: Detroit Promise Success Coach, Henry Ford College.
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Education:
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M.A., Higher Education & Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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B.A., English, B. A., Spanish, Western Michigan University
Bio: Elyse Hogan is a Detroit Promise Success Coach at Henry Ford College. She is a two-time Western Michigan University graduate with a B.A. in English and Spanish and an M.A. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Before her current position, Elyse worked with the Seita Scholars Program at WMU and as a College Advisor with the Michigan College Access Network. Elyse is passionate about college access, educational equity, and academic coaching.
Marcus Johnson
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Pronouns: He/Him/His
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Title: Assistant Director of Admission, Kalamazoo College
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Education:
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M.A., Educational Leadership--Higher Education and Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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M.F.A., Creative Writing, Western Michigan University
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B.A., Classics, Baylor University
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Bio: Marcus Johnson joined the Office of Admission at Kalamazoo College in 2013, immediately following his graduate experience at Western Michigan University (WMU). While at WMU, he taught first-year writing as a graduate assistant and adjunct faculty member, and worked in both the Office of Financial Aid and the Writing Center. He studied abroad through the Prague Summer program, and had graduate experiences in Career and Student Employment Services and Disability Services for Students. He also served in the Army National Guard, culminating in a nine-month deployment to Iraq.
Elizabeth Brandon
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Title: Laker Success IPASS Coordinator, Lake Superior State University
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Education:
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M.A., Educational Leadership--Higher Education and Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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B.A., Anthropology, Western Michigan University
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Bio: Before helping students find success on campus, Beth served two years with AdviseMI and AmeriCorps as a College Adviser in two high schools on the east and west sides of Michigan. She is a two time graduate of Western Michigan University, most recently with a master's from their HESA program. She also produces and hosts the podcast, College Talk, which covers all things college. Beth is excited to help students get to and through higher education journeys of their own.
Sarah Hagen
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Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Title: Career Development Specialist, Western Michigan Unviersity
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Education:
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MA, Higher Education Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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BS, Political Science, Ball State University
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Bio: Sarah Hagen joined Career and Student Employment Services in 2015 as a Career Development Specialist, serving as the liaison to the College of Aviation and the College of Health and Human Services. In this role, she enjoys helping students set and reach their personal and professional goals, and develop skills to be successful in the world of work. Prior to joining CSES, Sarah was an Academic Advisor at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences for almost five years. She previously worked in the real estate, non-profit, and corporate arenas before earning her Master's degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from WMU in 2011. Outside of the office, she likes to be active and outdoors and plays on several softball and soccer teams year-round.
Megan Pauken
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
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Title: Director of Enrollment Management, Office of Enrollment Management, Kalamazoo Valley Community College
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Education:
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M.A., Higher Education & Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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B.A., K-12 Art Education, Western Michigan University
Bio: Megan Pauken oversees the Office of Enrollment Management, which includes Enrollment Management (new student recruitment and outreach), International Student Services (international new student recruitment and support services for current international students) and the Student Ambassador program (campus tour, calling campaigns and outreach to prospective students).
She earned both a M.A. in Higher Education & Student Affairs and a B.A. in K-12 Art Education from Western Michigan University. Pauken manages teams that work with various types of prospective students including dual enrollment, Early College, veterans, non-traditional/adult learners as well as traditional high school seniors and young adults through a verity of campaign and outreach strategies. Pauken’s departments are also responsible for hosting large campus events including College Nights, Open Houses, Counselors’ Breakfast, Community Luncheon, Get It Done and individual and group campus tours.
Prior to joining Kalamazoo Valley in 2013, Pauken served in the Admissions department at Western Michigan University as well as a K-12 Art teacher for Kalamazoo Public Schools.
Wayne Bond
Pronouns: He/Him/His
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Title: Career Development Specialist, Western Michigan University
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Education:
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M.A., International Development Administration, Western Michigan University
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B.S., Biology, Albion College
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Bio: Wayne Bond joined Career and Student Employment Services in 2017 as a Career Development Specialist. He brings experience working with people from all over the world. In his role, Wayne seeks to establish a culture in which the decisions and roles taken on by students at Western Michigan University can be refined to prepare them for their aspirations after graduating from WMU. Prior to joining Career & Student Employment Services, Wayne spent over six years coordinating events, programs, and activities with WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education. He completed his undergraduate degree at Albion College, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and the Collegiate Basketball team. Wayne completed his master's degree in 2015 within the political science department with a focus on international administration development. He currently has returned to school as a cohort in the WMU sociology master’s program. When he is not working or studying, Wayne can be found relaxing with a book or catching up on his favorite shows like Game of Thrones or My Hero Academia.
Roderick Simmons
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Pronouns: He/Him/His
Title: Manager of Recruitment and Student Outreach, Kellogg Community College
Education:
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M.A., Educational Leadership – Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership, Western Michigan University
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B.S., Business Administration – Marketing, Wayne State University
Bio: Roderick Simmons, a native Detroiter, joined the Admissions Office at Kellogg Community College (KCC) in 2010. In this role, he oversees the college’s international and health sciences admissions programs. Additionally, he serves as an Adjunct Faculty member teaching Service-Learning. While working at KCC, he decided to further his education at Western Michigan University to deepen his knowledge of student access, success, and development. One of Roderick’s most significant accomplishments was the creation of KCC’s Brother2Brother program, which aims to increase men of color success in college. Roderick has had the opportunity to study abroad in Malaysia and Singapore. Before working at KCC, he was an Admissions Representative at Wayne State University. Roderick’s motto is: “learn from yesterday, live for today, and hope for tomorrow”.
Adrienne Hill
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Title: Education Specialist, Kellogg Community College, TRIO Upward Bound Program
Education:
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M.A., Educational Leadership – Higher Education Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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B.A., Women Studies, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
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B.A., Sociology, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Bio: Adrienne Hill is currently the Education Specialist with the TRIO Upward Bound Program at Kellogg Community College. She began her educational journey at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where she earned her B.A. in Women Studies and Sociology. Following graduation, Adrienne began working as a college advisor through the University of Michigan College Advising Corps at Benton Harbor High School. It was through this position that Adrienne realized her passion for working with students and helping them to achieve their post-secondary educational goals. With encouragement she then enrolled at Western Michigan University, where she later received her M.A. in Educational Leadership with a focus on Higher Education and Student Affairs. While at Western Michigan University, Adrienne worked in the Office of Student Engagement with Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Alpha Program and the Seita Scholars program. Since graduation, Adrienne has continued to serve students and help them develop educational skills and habits that lead to success. Through the Upward Bound program, she works every day to prepare her students, in 9th through 12th grade, for college and the college application process.
Anthony Perez
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Title: Admissions Counselor, Western Michigan University
Education:
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M.A., Higher Education and Student Affairs, Western Michigan University
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B.A., Psychology, University of Northern Iowa
Bio: Anthony Perez is an Admissions Counselor at Western Michigan University, currently serving southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo Promise Schools, and Indiana. He is a first-generation college student; Anthony is the first to receive a bachelors and masters degree in his family. He has served in various capacities at Western Michigan University such as: Graduate Assistant Hall Director for Housing and Residence Life, Recruitment and Outreach Specialist for the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, and currently as an Admissions Counselor. Anthony is passionate about helping students navigate the college search process and increasing representation of underrepresented and minority students in higher education.