Category: Alumni

Alumni Spotlight: Larry Klaus

Current or most recent title and employer?
Police Chief, Central Michigan University

How did SC4 help prepare you?
The instructors at SC4 set the foundation for my future career and for obtaining my bachelor’s degree.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
The ability to train and work with the next generation of law enforcement professionals in an effort to keep our communities safe.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
B.A. from Ferris State University.

Alumni Spotlight: Shelby Pfefferle

Current or most recent title and employer?
Senior Associate, Brady Martz & Associates, P.C.

How did SC4 help prepare you?
My professors led me on the right track to transferring to a four-year university to help me pursue my career in accounting.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
All of it! I worked closely with clients from different businesses and help them handle financials on a monthly basis.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Northwood University (Midland).

Alumni Spotlight: Amy Robinson

Current or most recent title and employer?
VP, CFO & CAO, Board Treasurer, the Kresge Foundation

How did SC4 help prepare you?
I was just sharing with a colleague that though I had full scholarship offers from four-year institutions back in the mid-80’s, I was engaged coming out of high school so I wanted to stay in the local area and also thought starting in a smaller environment would better support my transition to full-time college student. SC4 was the perfect place for me, with excellent instructors, caring staff and a curriculum that supported my desire to enter into finance/business as my major. My accounting class at SC4 was pivotal in my desire to major in accounting at Walsh, where I transferred to on a full scholarship due to the preparation I received at SC4. I later became a CPA, a career goal of mine from early on.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
Without hesitation – the people. I am blessed with the best job ever, and to say that after 25 years with the same organization is impressive. I work with the best staff, leadership team and board, who push me to use all of my personal and professional skills to think and act in new and different ways to support our mission and those we serve. The work is challenging, wide-ranging and always changing to meet the needs of our grantees/investees.

The Kresge Foundation is a private, national foundation that, with our work grounded in equity, works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing. In collaboration with our partners, we help create pathways for people with low incomes to improve their life circumstances and join the economic mainstream. I get to use my skills, whether that be in accounting, tax, operations management, mentoring, etc., to support that mission.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
After SC4, I transferred to Walsh and earned by BACCT. I also am a CPA. Full bio here: https://kresge.org/person/amy-b-robinson/

Alumni Spotlight: Gabrielle Sanchez

Current or most recent title and employer?
Communications Specialist, Michigan Clean Cities

How did SC4 help prepare you?
SC4 helped prepare me by letting me take college courses while I was attending Port Huron High School. I graduated from the Blue Water Middle College program in December of 2019 and earned numerous credits that transferred, while additionally earning two associate degrees in general education and arts.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
I enjoy communicating and completing outreach with the public, with donors, and numerous organizations that I am able to connect with in my career. I also enjoy providing informational updates on social media and creating graphics to share as well.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I transferred to Michigan State University in January of 2020. I recently graduated in December of 2022 with a high honors bachelor’s degree in advertising management, public relations, and entrepreneurship and innovation.