MCA students recently had the opportunity to visit Gentex Corporation’s headquarters in Zeeland, Michigan.  Ten students participated in the event, including five from Andrews, one from Aquinas, and five from Hope. The visit offered a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Gentex’s cutting-edge facility, providing students with an inside look at the company’s innovative operations and culture.

In addition to the tour, students engaged with Gentex’s Talent Acquisition team, department leaders, and connected with a current Gentex intern, who shared valuable insights into the internship experience and career pathways within the company.  The event allowed students to ask questions, build professional connections, and better understand the wide range of opportunities Gentex offers across engineering, manufacturing, and corporate roles.

Students left the event energized and excited about the possibilities Gentex brings to West Michigan.  We are grateful to Gentex for welcoming our students and investing in the next generation of talent through meaningful experiences like this one!

On April 1st, MCA students had the opportunity to participate in an exclusive networking event hosted by Corewell Health.  Students from Aquinas College and Calvin University attended, representing their campuses with professionalism and enthusiasm.  This event was designed to provide students with a closer look at one of Michigan’s leading healthcare employers and to foster valuable connections for future internships and career opportunities.

During the event, students engaged directly with Talent Acquisition Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and former interns who shared insights about working at Corewell Health. The experience allowed attendees to ask questions, learn more about various career pathways in the Digital Services world of healthcare, and receive first-hand advice on how to stand out in the application and interview process.

Corewell Health’s commitment to building relationships with emerging talent was clearly on display, and the students who attended left feeling inspired and better prepared to pursue careers in healthcare.  We are grateful to Corewell Health for providing such a meaningful opportunity and look forward to future collaborations that support student success!

The 2025 Michigan Campus Community Challenge (M-C3) showcased the creativity and social impact of student innovators across Michigan’s independent colleges and universities. Designed to integrate real-world, project-based learning into the campus experience, the M-C3 competition awards scholarships to students who develop innovative proposals that address community needs. This year’s finalists impressed a panel of business leaders, nonprofit executives, and academic professionals during a live virtual pitch session.

Taking first place was Daniel John from Calvin University, advised by Jon VerLee, for his project BiliRoo—a low-cost, portable neonatal jaundice treatment device aimed at increasing access to life-saving care in low-resource settings. Daniel received an $8,500 scholarship for his impactful innovation. In second place, Alma College students Lauren McCarthy, Devin DeMarais, Eli Festerling, and Joey Stankewitz, led by faculty advisor Justin Rito, earned a $5,500 scholarship for ACCMO (Alma College Community Music Outreach), a program that brings music education and performance opportunities to underserved communities while providing experiential learning for college students.

Third place went to College for Creative Studies students Tanaya Rahurkar and Ananya Thakur, who received a $3,500 scholarship for their proposal Brainbounce, an interactive digital tablet to help children with emotional dysregulation manage their emotions independently in the classroom. In fourth place, Adrian College students Themba Mazibuko and Bautista Rodriguez were awarded a $2,500 scholarship for UniSphere, an AI-powered platform that collects, verifies, and delivers real-time, crowdsourced, and institution-backed data to international students helping them make informed decisions when choosing what campus they want to attend when studying abroad. Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding ideas and commitment to making a positive difference in their communities.

This past week, Michigan Career Connect hosted its fourth and final Virtual Executive-in-Residence session of the academic year. 25 students from 6 campuses registered to attend the session, titled “A Glimpse into Nonprofit Management.” Led by Kelley Kuhn, President & CEO of the Michigan Nonprofit Association (MNA), the session offered an engaging and informative conversation on nonprofit leadership. 

Kuhn shared what initially drew her to the nonprofit sector and why it continues to be a fulfilling career. She emphasized the critical role nonprofits play in Michigan’s economy and highlighted the dynamic nature of her day-to-day responsibilities. 

The interactive format allowed students to ask questions and gain practical insights from a leader who works daily to strengthen Michigan’s nonprofit community. 

This session reflected Michigan Career Connect’s commitment to preparing students not just for careers, but for meaningful ones. Opportunities like these help students build professional skills, expand their networks, and explore career paths aligned with their values. Kelley’s passion for purpose-driven work showed students the rewards of a nonprofit career.

Michigan Career Connect recently hosted its third Virtual Executive-in-Residence (VEIR) session, further expanding our range of topics. This session was led by Patrick Jenkinson, the Commercial Director for Venue and E-commerce at Manchester United. 

Students from six campuses registered for the session, demonstrating the strong interest in the sports industry. Mr. Jenkinson shared his career journey, which began in finance. His diverse experiences across different industries equipped him with the skills necessary to thrive in the sports world. By describing a typical day in his role, he highlighted that every day looks different. He also emphasized that the sports industry is highly volatile, and that persistence is required to succeed, regardless of the team’s performance. 

This successful session continued the theme of encouraging students to pursue careers in competitive, hard-to-reach fields. From criminal justice to Hollywood to sports, professionals have shared the challenges they faced breaking into these industries. Michigan Career Connect hopes to empower students to pursue their career goals, even if they seem daunting. We hope sessions like these motivate students to pursue their passions and build the skills needed for future success. 

Building upon the success of the first Virtual Executive-in-Residence (VEIR) session on Criminal Law, Michigan Career Connect continued this program, fostering even greater success. Last week, the second VEIR session was led by Tim Flattery, a renowned Hollywood concept artist and designer, who shared insights into the process of designing for movies. 

With 37 students registered from 11 different campuses, the topic of this session proved to be especially captivating. Tim Flattery took students behind the scenes of the movie design process, sharing his work on numerous blockbuster films such as Avengers: Endgame, Hunger Games, and Men in Black. Through many photos, Mr. Flattery emphasized the immense time, precision, and creativity required in movie design, leaving students with a deep appreciation for the film industry. 

The most memorable part of the Virtual Executive-in-Residence sessions is the opportunity for students to directly engage with the professional by asking questions. This conversational and interactive format is designed to give students a space to explore career opportunities, get excited about their future, and build valuable connections with professionals in various fields. 

The session left a lasting impression on students, who provided overwhelmingly positive feedback. They appreciated Mr. Flattery’s approachability and his inspiring encouragement to pursue their passions with confidence. 

This fall, Michigan Career Connect’s Concierge Career Search initiative reached new heights, connecting nearly 300 students with exciting opportunities across Michigan for Summer 2025 internships. Students from our 15 partner Colleges and Universities submitted their resumes, showcasing their diverse talents and aspirations. Our program’s personalized approach ensured that students were matched with internship experiences aligned with their career goals, setting the stage for meaningful professional growth.

Thank you to all the students, employers, and career services professionals who made this season a success. Together, we are creating pathways for the next generation of Michigan’s workforce. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes our talented students!

Last week, students from seven of MCC’s campuses registered to participate in our Virtual Executive-in-Residence session on Criminal Law! This one-hour Zoom event was led by Brian Lennon, an experienced federal prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. Mr. Lennon shared insights from his career, describing his roles and a typical day in the field, as well as answering students’ questions. Participants gave positive feedback, recognizing Mr. Lennon’s extensive knowledge, which helped them gain a deeper understanding of the profession and assess whether it could be a good fit for their future careers. 

This session is just one of the many opportunities Michigan Career Connect offers for students to network with industry professionals. By expanding learning beyond the classroom, the program gives students a chance to explore the practical, day-to-day realities of different career paths. Throughout the academic year, additional Virtual Executive-in-Residence sessions will be held each semester, covering a wide range of career fields. From law to sports management to graphic design, these sessions offer valuable insights into diverse industries. Stay tuned for announcements about upcoming sessions! 

MCC’s Concierge Career Connect program recently held a resume collection for Corewell Health.  In all, 49 students from seven of our MCA campuses submitted resumes, each eager to explore career pathways in digital health services.  This initiative, in collaboration with Corewell Health’s Digital Services Career Pathways Program, is a fantastic step for our students as they pursue opportunities in a dynamic enterprise environment.

Students were also able to take part in two valuable networking events hosted by Corewell Health, offering the chance to connect with hiring managers, learn about internship opportunities, and gain insights into working in a robust healthcare system.  These events held both in-person and virtually provided a unique platform for students to build connections, deepen their understanding of digital health careers, and prepare for impactful roles in the field.

Michigan Colleges Alliance (MCA) has partnered with the Bearcat Advantage to expand the Bearcat Advantage scholarship, providing more opportunities for Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS) graduates and improving access to private higher education.  Beginning in the fall of 2024, BCPS graduates eligible to receive the Bearcat Advantage will qualify for scholarship funding to attend any of MCA’s fifteen member colleges and universities. 

Within this partnership, MCA aims to support a college-going culture and encourage relationships between students who are working hard to succeed and the vast resources of our academic network.  Our goal is to build college and career readiness for BCPS students. 

The Freshman Career Exploration Fair was held on October 9th at Battle Creek Central High School.  The fair’s goal is to provide students with hands-on, engaging activities to peak interest in a variety of career possibilities that exist in the Battle Creek area and beyond.  Jason Raddatz, Program Director of MCA’s Kalamazoo Math & Science Institute, taught 9th graders to fly Tello drones, while sharing a variety of STEM college majors that prepare students for careers in drone piloting.  Students were highly engaged, which speaks to the value of experiential learning, active participation, and problem solving in STEM specialties throughout the middle and high school years.

Through MCC’s Concierge Career Search program, seventy students from ten MCA-member campuses participated in a successful virtual recruiting event co-hosted with Gentex Corporation. This exclusive event provided students with the opportunity to learn more about Gentex and explore the company’s numerous internship positions. With 135 internships available across a range of departments, including software engineering, electrical engineering, quality engineering, supply chain, chemistry, accounting, marketing, and human resources, students were able to discover diverse career paths and interact with Gentex recruiters.

The event was a resounding success, with both students and Gentex representatives expressing enthusiasm about the future opportunities this partnership may bring.

Gentex Corporation is a global technology company specializing in producing high-tech electronics for the automotive, aerospace, and commercial industries. Known for its innovative products such as rearview mirrors and advanced driver-assistance systems, Gentex consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in modern technology. With a commitment to growth and development, Gentex offers a dynamic environment for students to launch their careers through internships and beyond.

This summer and fall, three Aquinas College students – Cameron Moore, Kaitlyn Yonker and Carlota Arzabe Mecchia – are gaining invaluable experiences through the 2024 MCC Cooperative Learning Collaborative (CLC) Professional Development Program and making significant strides in their professional journeys. Dr. Katharina Häusler-Gross, Aquinas’ Associate Provost for Outreach and Engagement, is serving as the faculty director for the program, overseeing 24 student interns from the participating Michigan colleges and universities: Adrian, Albion, Alma, Aquinas, Calvin, Hope, Kalamazoo, Madonna and Siena Heights.

Students and faculty from Alma College are working with city of Alma Public Safety department staff to provide cardiovascular health testing and exercise training, in order to reduce risk of adverse events and improve job performance.

A team of three members of the Class of 2024 — Sarah Vanisacker, Brenden Coulter and Andrea Taghon — together with faculty advisor Alex Montoye, were rewarded for their efforts with a first-place finish in the Michigan Colleges Alliance 2024 Michigan Campus Community Challenge (MC-3). With the win, the students were awarded a $10,000 scholarship.

“It was a pleasant surprise for our project to be selected for the top award in the MC-3 competition,” said Montoye, associate professor and chair of the Integrative Physiology and Health Science (IPHS) department at Alma College. “We’re glad to see this achieve the twin goals of providing high-impact educational experiences for Alma College students while simultaneously identifying and addressing a need in our community.”

The Bearcat Blast summer program at Battle Creek Public Schools featured a three-day Spheros and Tello drone course, where 15 students learned about velocity, coding, and data analysis. The program, led by Michigan Colleges Alliance and the Kalamazoo Math and Science Institute, with students from Albion College, aimed to inspire students to explore STEM subjects while offering fun, hands-on learning experiences with robots and drones.

Earlier this year, Michigan Colleges Alliance and the Bearcat Advantage teamed up to include Michigan’s top 15 private colleges and universities in the Bearcat Advantage scholarship. Battle Creek Public Schools graduates who qualify for the Bearcat Advantage scholarship now have access to additional scholarship funds covering up to 100% of tuition and fees at MCA-member colleges and universities.