Kalamazoo Promise Launches Fifth Annual Regional Business Challenge to Hire College Promise Interns
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ca’Jon Martin, Digital Media & Marketing Manager- info@kalamazoopromise.com | 269.337.0037
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Oct. 17, 2025) — The Kalamazoo Promise has opened registration for Higher Promise 2026, an initiative that challenges regional business partners to hire postsecondary Promise Scholars for paid summer internships.
Emmanuel Marfo, 2024 Higher Promise intern at Bronson Healthcare
“As The Kalamazoo Promise celebrates its 20th anniversary, we are excited to invite the business community to join Higher Promise,” said Von Washington Jr., chief executive officer of The Kalamazoo Promise. “Our goal for this milestone year is to have at least 100 Promise Scholars engaged in meaningful paid summer internships. To do that, we need our incredibly generous business community to lean in and provide these important opportunities.”
In its fourth year, Higher Promise saw 34 business partners hire 71 Scholars for internships in 2025, 54 percent of whom were students of color.
“Our goal with Higher Promise is to make sure all Promise Scholars have work experience in their fields of study, opening doors to great jobs in our region,” said Cetera DiGiovanni, Higher Promise manager at The Kalamazoo Promise. “The Kalamazoo business community consistently supports the work we do at The Promise, and we hope in our 20th year to hear from even more business partners.”
The Promise facilitates matches between internship seekers and companies, aligning student majors and interests with the needs of area employers.
“Partnering with Higher Promise has been invaluable for Family Health Center,” said Denise Crawford, president and chief executive officer of Family Health Center. “I’m excited that Higher Promise interns have been offered full-time positions at FHC. The Promise has led to a positive influx of young, vibrant talent in the medical field in Kalamazoo County.”
The business community continues to recognize the benefits of Higher Promise.
2022 Higher Promise cohort at professional development session
“Leveraging a program like Higher Promise gives us an opportunity to bring in diverse talent with diversified backgrounds and use the lived experience of our interns and employees to help drive the future state of our culture at Stryker,” said Demecia LaBarre, program manager of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Stryker.
In addition to internships, Promise Scholars participate in a professional development course focused on personal and workplace navigation, helping them develop skills to succeed not only in their internships but throughout their careers.
Several area businesses have already pledged to hire Promise Scholars for summer 2026, including Stryker, Bronson Healthcare, Family Health Center, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, CSM Group, the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, Howell Parfet Schau, and Southwest Michigan First. These partners are encouraging other companies to join the program next summer.
Higher Promise 2026 is open to Promise Scholars enrolled in any qualifying postsecondary institution. The initiative supports opportunity, equity, and accessible pathways to careers in Kalamazoo for all Promise Scholars, especially for populations with unequal access to high-wage careers.
###
For more information about Higher Promise, please visit www.kalamazoopromise.com/higher-promise.