Creating Community Engagement Through Events
The purpose of The Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center is to provide an onsite workplace for college interns that strategically place students in event management initiatives that foster best practices and create educational opportunities for practical experience in marketing, public relations and event management. The Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center is dedicated to the promise of connecting interns with organizations through a consulting management network.
We embrace social and emotional learning to empower our college interns to be job ready. Inclusion is how we unleash the power of diversity. Our corporate culture drives our commitment to foster belonging and believing. We create relevant, authentic, and real events for our diverse clients. We are constantly learning by listening to our staff, customers and community as together we make a difference. We value curiosity, innovation, intentionality, and laughter.
Educate
Through work-based learning and coaching, our interns embrace the practical skills and knowledge they need to manage events, create public relations campaigns, and leverage social and digital marketing strategies. This is workforce readiness.
Collaborate
We work with local nonprofits who desire intern services without intern placement at their offices. The Center becomes their intern hub and is responsible for hiring, training, vetting, and assigning interns to the consulting management projects. We believe that internships should be paid.
Innovate
Work within the community to ideate community placemaking events that capitalize on our local assets, inspiration and potential while providing a unique opportunity for interns to learn-by-doing, build social capital, and manage events.
Reward
Through onsite teamwork, enthusiasm, inspiration, and trust, interns are rewarded for a job well done. Experiential learning builds an inclusive relationship to drive innovation and creativity with rewards entwined throughout.