Kish College Memories

I recently signed up to learn more about Kishwaukee College’s Alumni Association and quickly received a warm welcome note.

After attending a few events on campus recently, I was reminded just how much I enjoyed my time at Kish.

After graduating from Sycamore High School, I chose to stay close to home and attend Kishwaukee College in Malta, where I earned my Associate of Arts degree. While many of my friends headed off to four-year universities, I was focused on pursuing something I had already fallen in love with: telling local stories.

As editor of my high school newspaper, I was emailing Kish before graduation to learn more about the Kaleidoscope. Joining the student newspaper was a top priority, and I quickly became editor. During my time there, we also launched the publication’s first website.

As a shy young person, journalism gave me a way to connect with others. Through the stories I chased and the people I interviewed, I found my voice. My confidence grew with every assignment, and along the way I made lifelong friends, learned from incredible professors, and found mentors who helped shape my future.

I carried those experiences with me to Northern Illinois University and the Northern Star, and later into publishing, journalism, marketing, and communications roles—including my current work with the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation.

Today, I still get to do what I love most: share local stories. The stories may be historical now, told through my work as executive director at the Glidden Homestead, but the passion behind them remains the same.

Looking back, I'm grateful for the foundation Kish provided and the role it played in helping me become the person and professional I am today.

Thank you, Kish.