Dr. Linda Thompson

She developed curriculum for, supervised and supported 56 principal interns who were placed in 43 Michigan school districts. She developed strong relationships with principal mentors and collaboratively tailored each intern’s program to address the professional growth plan of the intern and the needs of the school as identified by the principal mentor. She utilized information collected form the principal mentors regarding trends, issues, and knowledge and skills important to the success of K-12 administrators to modify the internship courses. Dr. Thompson also serves as secretary on the board of KYDnetwork, an intermediary organization that supports over 60 of Kalamazoo County’s Out of School Time organizations, and on the Anti-racism and Program and Evaluation Committees for the organization.

She is a member of the Program and Evaluation Committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan and has collaborated on the development of a school year curriculum for the middle school level Bigs in Business program and participates in the Bigs in School program with her little sister who is a 5th grader in Kalamazoo Public Schools.

Quote from nomination

"Dr. Thompson has created an umbrella of support and development that has positively impacted me and those that I serve.”

- Thomas McPherson, supporting letter

About the award

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to establishing or strengthening meaningful ties between Western Michigan University and community partners. The awardee's actions have furthered the University as a vital component of the community by advocating greater involvement between the University and community sectors while building lasting community collaborations.