KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Students at Kalamazoo College who will soon be graduating are working on a project that might encourage recent graduates to stay in Kalamazoo.
A 2024 report from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research found that nationally only 47% of public university graduates and 43% of private college graduates stay in the same metro area as their alma mater. There are nearly 25,000 undergraduate students across the Kalamazoo area’s colleges and universities.
Senior business majors at Kalamazoo College are partnering with a local coalition representing business, regional development, city government and destination marketing to explore ways the city can foster a stronger sense of belonging and create the kind of social, cultural, and recreational experiences that encourage recent graduates to stay
While job opportunities often drive alumni migration, coalition members say this project focuses on “value of place,” which they say is the cultural vibrancy, amenities, and social connections that shape daily life and make a location truly stick.
The capstone course will conclude with a final presentation in which students will share their proposals directly with other coalition representatives.
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