Defining transferable skills for potential
career opportunities
John Chapman
Career Advisor
Texas Township Campus,
Kalamazoo Valley Community
College
6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
Office Number: 1510
Telephone: (269) 488-4897
Please click
here to e-mail me for further information.
Background Information
I grew up in Detroit Michigan and graduated from Cooley High School. After graduating from Western Michigan University with a degree in English and a teaching certificate, I joined VISTA. I worked on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana as a community organizer. I helped start a tribally owned newspaper and printing operation. I eventually went to graduate school at WMU and earned a doctorate in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology.
I have worked as a counseling social worker in vocational rehabilitation and spent thirty years as a career counselor at the Van Buren Technology Center. I have been an adjunct professor for two departments at WMU since 1985.
I am very married with two adult sons. Personal interests include backpacking: section hiked the Appalachian Trail (GSMNP) in 2007. My oldest son and I discovered the lost city of the Inca in Peru in 2000. I also play finger-style on a 1964 Gibson guitar and have a nasty singing voice. Counseling Style…First and foremost, I’m a listener. I help students explore strong and consistent interests and abilities using a combination of interview techniques and test results. By comparing their interests to a variety of career and educational options, students are able to make tentative decisions. With decisions made, they can develop plans to implement their choices. The entire process requires close coordination with other faculty and staff at KVCC (team approach).
Diane Finch
Career Advisor
Texas Township Campus,
Kalamazoo Valley Community
College
6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
Office Number:
Telephone: (269) 488-4733
Please click
here to e-mail me for further information.
Background Information
I grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan and attended Ferris State University where I received my Bachelors in Marketing/Tennis Management. After graduating, I went to work for the United States Tennis Association as a Schools Program Director. In this role I was responsible for training physical education teachers on how to teach tennis in their schools. I also conducted tennis related assemblies for elementary, middle, and high school students. Later I continued with the Tennis Association as a director in the Chicago area.
Currently I am finishing up my Masters in Counseling from Spring Arbor University. In August 2008 I began completing my internship at KVCC in the Career Services department. I was hired as a permanent staff member in January. My passion is to help students discover their purpose through self exploration and assessment and develop a plan to reach their goals. I also enjoy hosting career roundtable discussions where students can learn and encourage one another through the career process.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two teenage boys. My interests include tennis, traveling, reading, and helping people with life struggles.
Karen Steeno van Staveren
Career Advisor
Texas Township Campus,
Kalamazoo Valley Community
College
6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
Office Number: 1356
Telephone: (269) 488-4676
Please click
here to e-mail me for further information.
Background Information
A little about me: I have a wonderful family of four and enjoy being active with them. I love to travel, read, watch movies and shop. Sorry Lions fans, I have been a Green Bay Packer fan since birth. The greatest place I lived was Macerata, Italy for a semester abroad. My favorite vacation was to the Grand Canyon and I highly recommend hiking it.
I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Alma College. Upon graduation I worked in a number of places, including Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. My passion for education and desire to help others led me to Western Michigan University and a Masters in Counseling in Higher Education. I then went to Ferris State University as an Educational and Career Counseling Intern and was hooked on helping students discover a career path that fits their interests, personality and values. I love guiding the process of self-discovery and illuminating various strategies to aid in career planning. I am truly blessed to be a part of the lives of the Kalamazoo Valley Community.
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Joyce Tamer
Career Advisor
Texas Township Campus,
Kalamazoo Valley Community
College
6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
Office Number: 1356
Telephone: (269) 488-4522
Please click
here to e-mail me for further information.
Background Information
I received both my Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Arts Degree from Western Michigan University.
Originally from the Detroit Metro area, I decided to remain in Kalamazoo for a “short period of time” after I graduated from Western Michigan University. It has now been more than twenty years and I am still in Kalamazoo enjoying the close proximity to Lake Michigan for relaxation and Chicago for the excitement, shopping and food.
Throughout my professional career, I have served in various positions while employed by the State of Michigan and various private service organizations in the Kalamazoo area. Each position I have held involved the aspect of counseling and helping individuals, families and children attain their personal goals.
The position of Career Counselor at K.V.C.C is extremely appealing to me. I feel education is the best gift you can give yourself. Once completed, it is yours forever to use and build upon to attain your personal goals. I am pleased to be working with a multi-talented and experienced staff and look forward to using my counseling skills and experience in helping the students at K.V.C.C reach their individual educational goals.
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LaSonda Wells
Career Advisor
Texas Township Campus,
Kalamazoo Valley Community
College
6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070
Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
Office Number:
Telephone: (269) 488-4669
Please click
here to e-mail me for further information.
Background Information
I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, where I lived until I joined the United States Air Force at 18. After serving almost 10 years of active duty, I decided to pursue my college education. I have two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force. I have a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University in Workforce Education and Development and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. What is interesting is that I never set foot on these campuses. I earned my education through distant learning at various military instillations. Furthermore, I was a nontraditional-aged student and a single parent. I am currently working on my dissertation in completion of my doctorate degree from Western Michigan University.
I share that bit of information about me first for a specific reason, which is to encourage all students to believe that they can achieve their goal to receive an education. It will be hard work but it can be done!
As a licensed professional and nationally certified counselor, my areas of focus are school counseling, career counseling and wellness. In my role as a career counselor here at KVCC, my true passion is being able to assist all students in finding their unique fit to the world of work, finding a career, not just a job!
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