We believe that staff are not just employees—they are educators, leaders, culture shapers, and mission carriers. When we invest in the growth, empowerment, and belonging of our staff, the entire institution rises.
What is Katalyst?
Katalyst is more than a training program. It is a strategic, collaborative, and community-centered approach to professional development that honors the diverse experiences of staff, builds pathways for growth, and strengthens our shared commitment to students and to each other.
This program is our commitment to creating a campus where every staff member feels:
- Seen and valued
- Supported in their role
- Empowered to grow
- Connected to purpose
- Equipped to lead change
Staff are the catalysts of institutional excellence. Katalyst will help us unlock that potential—together.
Purpose of the Program
Katalyst is designed to:
- Provide structured, meaningful professional development opportunities for all staff.
- Build a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and belonging.
- Increase confidence, effectiveness, and leadership capacity across departments.
- Strengthen staff retention, career satisfaction, and internal mobility.
- Align staff development with the values and goals of Kalamazoo College.
Core Values of Katalyst
These values shape every aspect of the program:
- Belonging – Staff are seen, heard, valued, and included.
We recognize that development thrives in environments of trust and psychological safety.
- Collaboration – Growth is not isolated.
We learn best when departments, roles, and perspectives intersect and share knowledge.
- Growth Mindset – Professional development is not a one-time event.
It is a lifelong practice of curiosity, learning, and self-discovery.
- Inclusivity & Equity – Opportunities must be accessible to all staff—regardless of position or background.
We address historical gaps and create pathways that uplift everyone.
- Purpose & Impact – Development is most powerful when tied to meaning.
Staff are not just “doing jobs”—they are shaping student experiences, campus culture, and institutional success.
The Katalyst Model: 3 Pathways for Staff Growth
To meet the needs of staff at different stages in their journey, Katalyst offers three distinct but interconnected pathways.
Pathway 1: Orientation to Higher Education @ K
Focus: Understanding the institution, culture, and purpose
Who this is for
- New staff (first 1–2 years)
- Staff coming from outside higher education
- Staff who feel disconnected from the “big picture”
- Anyone who wants to better understand how K works as an institution
Pathway 1 builds identity, confidence, and belonging.
Pathway 2: Excellence in Current Role
Focus: Professional skills, communication, tools, effectiveness
Who this is for
- Staff with 2+ years of experience
- Staff who are confident in their role but want to grow their skills
- Staff feeling stuck or underutilized
- Staff seeking better tools, systems, and balance
- Staff who want to work smarter, not harder
This pathway builds mastery, empowerment, and sustainability.
Pathway 3: Leadership & Career Growth
Focus: Leadership, supervision, budgeting, project management, career pathways
Who this is for
- Staff with 2+ years experience who want more responsibility or influence
- Staff interested in career advancement or role changes
- Emerging leaders and future supervisors
- Staff who want to build leadership, strategic thinking, or project management skills
- Staff who feel called to make a bigger impact on campus
This pathway builds leadership, vision, and institutional impact.
Trainings and Sessions Offered
Please browse our listing of available training. Sessions will be added as they become available.
2025-26 Training Sessions
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026 | Time: 12noon – 1:00pm| Location: Olmsted | Topic: How K Works: Understanding Our Offices & Working Better Together (60-Minute Format)