Category: Alumni

Alumni Spotlight: Shawnna Apley

Current or most recent title and employer?
Front Desk Agent at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI

How did SC4 help prepare you?
I was able to complete my degree in liberal arts at SC4 through the Blue Water Middle College Program. Since then, I have accelerated greatly in my undergraduate courses. I will be getting my bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from Grand Valley State University in August of 2023 and have plans to attend graduate school thereafter. SC4 and BWMC helped me to grow my professional endeavors by always encouraging me to think big. I am thankful for the position this College has put me in every day.

What do you like most about what you do professionally?
In my professional work, I am able to talk with guests every day, meet new people and expand my knowledge of the hospitality industry. Because of SC4 and BWMC, I am able to not only work in my field while in my degree but study a subject that I am extremely passionate about. Both of these programs truly accelerated my higher education journey. If I didn’t take classes at SC4 I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Did you transfer on and earn other degrees? If so, what degrees and from where?
I am currently a senior at Grand Valley State University and will receive my bachelor’s degree in hospitality and tourism management with an emphasis in lodging and tourism management in August of 2023! SC4 allowed me to be able to go into my bachelor’s degree program knowing exactly what I wanted and saved me huge amounts of money along the way.

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/