Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College

Kalamazoo College is a private institution that was founded in 1833. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,467, its setting is city, and the campus size is 60 acres. The enrolled student population at Kalamazoo College is 60% White, 10% Hispanic/Latino, 7% Asian, 7% International, 6% Black, and 6% Race Unknown. There are about 57% identified female and 43% identified male students. 64% of students are from Michigan.

Engagement Summary

Kalamazoo College’s Counseling Center director worked with their Diversity and Inclusion Office to provide joint programming for students focused on mental health and wellbeing for students of color and other marginalized identities. They made a presentation on their JED Campus and EMHF cohort efforts at the NASPA Multicultural Institute in December 2019. On-campus resources that worked directly with and supported students of color are Posse, Intercultural Student Life, and Sukuma.

To improve campus climate for students of color, Kalamazoo conducted a campus climate survey, increased the diversity of the faculty, and increased the diversity of the student body. Data on retention, mental health service use, and engagement in extracurriculars on students of color was recorded and used for the Office of Grants, Fellowships, and Research, the Counseling Center, and the Office of Student Involvement. They’ve utilized the Healthy Minds Survey to analyze students’ experience with mental health on campus.

To better support students of color on campus, it was recommended that Kalamazoo offered supportive programs and services on multiple different platforms. The next recommendation was to promote the prioritization of the mental health and wellness of students of color campus-wide. The third recommendation was to have students offer feedback regarding student mental health and wellness.

The fourth recommendation was to promote accessible and safe communication with administration and to develop an effective response system.

The final recommendation was to provide opportunities and spaces for students to safely have dialogue about international and national events/issues.

Midterm Evaluation Progress-to-Goal Snapshot

Kalamazoo College had a goal to collaborate and engage in weekly conversations about the mental health and wellness of students of color, to have 1-2 guest speakers hold sessions to address the mental health concerns and needs of students of color. Speakers will be chosen through JED and Steve Fund recommendations, and to collaborate with Brian Dietz, the survey administrator, to review and revise the current annual climate survey to better address needs of students of color. The Steve Fund was consulted if the survey needed any changes.

Highlights include:

  • Discussions have been centered around the show Insecure, and students analyze the episodes by answering reflective questions and by focusing on the themes pertaining to relationships.
  • First speaker was Dr. Jan Collins-Eaglin.
  • Questions regarding counseling and other services were included for the survey being released in spring. Questions consistent with the CCAP came out of Penn State.