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When Katelynn Flowers left Sturgis, she didn’t consider any other destination than Southwestern Michigan College.

Flowers, who attended SMC from 2014-16 and served as a Keith H. McKenzie Hall resident assistant her second year, selected the college “not only because of the beautiful campus, but because of the housing opportunities SMC provided.”

“I felt SMC was a great start to my college career and would assist in acclimating me to life away from home while also providing a close-knit education experience. Turns out, I was right!”

“In all honesty,” she added, “I didn’t consider anywhere else! SMC was my first choice in starting my college career. I knew transferring was an option, so I hit the ground running in a place that made me feel comfortable, confident and cared for!”

Flowers majored in communications and continued that path at Western Michigan University when she transferred, earning a bachelor’s degree in communications with an event management minor.

When she became an RA on McKenzie’s second floor in 2015, she gave it a nautical theme, sharing that lasagna was her favorite food, purple her favorite color.

‘RA was one of the best decisions I ever made’

“Becoming an RA was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Flowers said. “It was an amazing way to connect more with the college and so many new students. This opportunity gave me a sense of responsibility that I had not experienced prior. In many ways, SMC shaped me and my work ethic.”

Early on, Flowers “must have had a premonition of the future because my goal was to acquire a degree in either communications or marketing and use it at a local organization or company in some sort of marketing-focused role.

“Today, I live to tell the tale! I am working at a local credit union that works hard to serve its members and community members while providing excellent growth opportunities for employees.”

Flowers utilized her degree in internships, side jobs and now her role at Arbor Financial Credit Union, where she was community and social media specialist.

She was responsible for hosting community events, credit union events, overseeing sponsorships and managing social media for the organization.

More digital responsibilities

Recently, she transitioned to a new specialist position as the digital marketing and content specialist.

“In this role I am responsible for more digital aspects,” Flowers said. “I work closely with our digital marketing partners on advertisements and email campaigns while still managing and maintaining the organization’s corporate social media accounts. My new role also comes with fun perks like working closely with other departments to create campaigns, testimonials, videos and more to increase brand awareness.”

In August she marked five years with Arbor Financial Credit Union, which has 12 locations across southwest Michigan, including Three Rivers, Lawrence, Paw Paw, Kalamazoo, Portage and Otsego.

Flowers had lived in Portage, but was in the process of buying her first home with her husband, Ian, and moving to Kalamazoo.

“We will be moving to the beautiful Milwood neighborhood,” she said.

They married in August 2023. “It was an amazing night filled with so many wonderful memories.” She met her husband through an Arbor co-worker.

“I worked with her for a brief stint,” Flowers said. “She dates his brother and, at the time, thought we would be a great match. Turns out, she’s Cupid in the flesh!”

‘I love trying new Kalamazoo restaurants’

For fun, she still plays tennis. “I played in high school and never want to lose that skill,” Flowers said. “I also love running, trying new restaurants in the ever-growing Kalamazoo area, exploring our great state and spending time with my family and friends.”

She knows the current McKenzie Residence Hall Manager Kyra DeLoach, who is also from Sturgis. Both worked in SMC’s marketing office.

“I found myself working in marketing when I began looking at on-campus employment opportunities,” Flowers said. “In my search, I had reached out to my residence hall manager for insight. He proceeded to share with me that marketing may be hiring and recommended I reach out. From there, it was history. I was introduced to Whitney (Lents) and Michelle (Orlaske), who were amazing leaders and taught me so much in that short amount of time.”

Professors made students feel valued

From her time at SMC, Flowers remembers “finding excellent friends and leaders. I also felt like opportunities were abundant, whether it be extra-curriculars, work opportunities or the education provided. I did not have a favorite professor, however, I valued them all. The professors on campus made students feel welcome and valued. I am spoiled enough to know that it is not a common occurrence for many young people experiencing college for the first time.”

Her last time on campus was her final semester.

“I took in every moment!” Flowers said. “It was spring and campus started to come alive at that time! I hope that aspect is still the same!”