Contributed by Emily Kobza-Communities in Schools
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS OF KALAMAZOO (CIS) ANNOUNCES 2018 AWARD RECIPIENTS
KALAMAZOO (Mich)-Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS) recently hosted its 11th Champs recognition event at The Radisson. Kalsec was the presenting sponsor for the event which honors community partners who share in the CIS vision— an engaged community where every child fulfills his or her promise— by actively putting forth time, energy, talent and resources to drive this vision to reality.This year’s six Champs are:
Kalamazoo College Civic Engagement Scholars, CIS Higher Education Partner
Diane Fuller, CIS Volunteer from Miller-Davis Company
Nkenge Bergen, Director of Student Services for Kalamazoo Public Schools
Woods Lake Math Squad, CIS Volunteers
WMU’s Black Student Union, CIS Higher Education Partner
Chris Werme, CIS Volunteer
Sally Stevens will also be honored with The Gulnar Husain Volunteer Award, a new recognition established by Gulnar’s family to honor her long-time contributions to Communities In Schools and work as a CIS Site Coordinator at Arcadia Elementary School. For more than 38 years, Gulnar dedicated herself to being an effective volunteer for many causes throughout the Kalamazoo community, as well as cultivating and supporting volunteers to benefit others, particularly children. This award recognizes a CIS volunteer who emulates Gulnar’s belief that there is no greater calling than serving children.
The CIS Board will also be honoring Dr. Marilyn Schlack with the Diether Haenicke Promise of Excellence Award. Established in 2010, this award is named for Western Michigan University President Emeritus Diether Haenicke. Dr. Marilyn Schlack has served as the president of Kalamazoo Valley Community College for more than three decades, becoming Michigan’s first female community college president in 1982. With her leadership and vision, KVCC has grown to four campuses and more than 10,000 students, each campus responding to unique student, educational, and community needs. Despite overseeing an expansive, increasingly complex institution, Dr. Schack has maintained a commitment to understanding the needs and challenges of individual students whose circumstances are filled with obstacles to college completion.
Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo (CIS), one of almost 200 CIS affiliates working throughout the country, overcomes the barriers that derail kids, giving them hope and the belief that they can succeed in school, graduate and be prepared for life. CIS site coordinators literally bring the community and all the ways it can help into the school. This is how CIS surround kids with whatever it takes – from tutors and food assistance to health services and college visits – so they can start strong and keep moving forward. For more information, visit www.ciskalamazoo.org.