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SMC Registrar Addresses Honor Inductees
Published on April 28, 2025 - 1 p.m.
Southwestern Michigan College Registrar Steve Carlson urged 12 Sigma Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society inductees and their families April 25 to have faith and to persevere as they seek their purpose.
“I have sat with hundreds of college students,” Carlson said in Mathews Conference Center West, “helping them find purpose in life and that thing that really motivates them.”
Carlson utilized the CliftonStrengths assessment, formerly known as StrengthsFinder.
Gallup developed the online tool to help individuals identify their natural talents and to develop them into strengths.
It measures the intensity of talents across 34 themes, offering a personalized report with top strengths and insights into how to leverage them for greater performance.
“The likelihood that somebody has the same top five talents as you is one in 3 million people,” Carlson said. “The likelihood that somebody has the same top five talents as you in the same order is one in 33 million people. You’re so unique because there’s a special purpose for you.”
As registrar since 2018, Carlson, of South Bend, confers SMC degrees and issues students their diplomas.
He has worked in higher education for 33 years, from large public research institutions to a small, private Christian college, starting in career counseling.
He and Amy, his wife of 33 years, have two grown children. He is an elder at Nfluence Church in Granger.
The 12 inductees boast a variety of plans.
Krista Schrader
President Krista Schrader graduates this semester in psychology and will transfer to the University of Michigan.
She believes she’s already met some of the greatest professors she’ll ever have and will miss their valuable guidance and encouragement.
Hailey Perry
Vice President Hailey Perry also majored in psychology. Perry plans to transfer to a four-year university after graduating in Spring 2026. Her goal is to go to medical school and become a psychiatrist. She joins SMC’s Honors Program this summer.
Madisyn Boone
Boone graduates in Spring 2026 with an elementary education associate degree and plans to transfer to a four-year university to finish her bachelor’s degree.
Miranda Cropsey
Cropsey is pursuing an associate degree in general studies. She expects to graduate in December 2026.
Mitzy Grana Diaz
She is graduating in general studies and will be transferring to Western Michigan University to major in freshwater science and sustainability.
Destiney Hensley
Hensley graduates in Spring 2026 in psychology and will transfer to further her studies in criminal psychology.
Nathan Hetler
Hetler graduates May 10 in general studies. He will transfer to WMU to major in history. He thanked Professor Dr. Jeff Dennis for mentoring him through his two years at SMC.
Alizay Young
Young graduated in December 2024 with a business management certificate. She works with autistic children as a registered behavior technician (RBT). She thanked God, her husband and the TRIO program for helping her get through the certificate program.
Angelica Jimenez
Jimenez is working toward her nursing degree and expects to graduate in Spring 2027.
Nathaniel Lakin
Lakin graduates May 10 with an associate degree in robotics. He starts an IBEW 153 apprenticeship on May 12. Lakin thanked Professor Larry Holz for mentoring him.
Rocio Rosas-Andrade
She graduates May 10 with an elementary education associate degree. Rosas-Andrade thanked her academic advisor, Brittany Tanke, for always being willing to help her and to answer all of her questions. She is excited to start the next chapter of her academic career at Ferris State University.
Alexa Wilson
Wilson graduates May 10 in business, transferring to WMU to major in finance.
PTK is co-advised by Colleen Welsch, director of library services, and English Professor Hailey Sheets, who draped inductees with stoles to be worn with commencement regalia as her sister called their names.
PTK is the largest U.S. honor society, with 3.5 million members since 1918 in 1,300 chapters, plus representation from 10 sovereign nations.
“Students we honor and recognize represent academic excellence at SMC and embody the hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship,” Sheets said.
