About

On Nov. 10, 2005, Dr. Janice Brown, the superintendent for the Kalamazoo Public Schools, announced the initiation of the “Kalamazoo Promise.” Kalamazoo became the first city in the United States to provide full scholarships to any public college in Michigan for all graduates who had received their elementary and secondary schooling in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. Since the establishment of the Kalamazoo Promise in 2005, Promise-type programs have been initiated in numerous other cities in the U.S. Funding for the Kalamazoo Promise is being provided by a small group of anonymous donors.

Mission

To increase retention rates and build supportive relationships that improve the academic, social, and environmental factors of Kalamazoo Promise students attending WMU.

Vision

To be a place where Kalamazoo Promise students feel seen, supported, and valued.