By Sarah Frink

In his first days at Kalamazoo College, President Jorge G. Gonzalez remembers walking along the brick hill of Academy Street when someone on the opposite sidewalk did something small and, at the same time, defining.

“They crossed the street and came over just to tell me, ‘Oh, we’re so happy that you’re here. Welcome,’” Gonzalez said.

That genuine warmth and kindness extended beyond campus and into the city itself, he recalled.

“Even walking through downtown Kalamazoo, someone would stop to say, ‘Oh, I just heard that you’re the new president. Welcome. We’re so glad you’re here.’”

A decade later, as the College prepares for Gonzalez’s retirement at the end of his contract on June 30, 2026, that early memory is a fitting place to begin the story of a presidency shaped by relationships—a leader whose natural instinct is to connect, whose language always returns to people, and whose deepest pride is reserved not for individual achievement but for what a community can build together.

Common Values

Gonzalez arrived at Kalamazoo College already convinced of two things: a liberal arts experience that included intercultural components was a powerful combination, and the K experience should be within reach of students from every background.

“I knew that K had a long history of success,” he said. “We produce amazing graduates. We needed to make sure that we were opening the doors of K to students regardless of their ability to pay because there’s talent in all backgrounds.”

That commitment has only sharpened with time.

“In a world in which the only constant is change, students need to learn how to change with the world and learn to change the world,” Gonzalez said. “We have committed ourselves to offering this opportunity to students whose families have been a part of K for generations and to students who will be the first in their families to go to college.”

Charlotte Hall ’66, who then chaired the Board of Trustees and led the search that brought Gonzalez to K, said the search committee quickly saw that Jorge was the right leader for K at the right time. The Board was looking for a candidate who shared K’s values, was student focused and could build on President Emerita Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran’s work to evolve the K-Plan and create an equitable and inclusive learning environment.

“Jorge brought energy, optimism and a deep commitment to the liberal arts, the K-Plan and the success of our students,” Hall said. “He has a remarkable ability to connect with people, a genuine kindness and empathy, as well as all the skills of a great communicator. He was also able to articulate his vision for the future and inspire the K community.”

Even before his first walk down Academy Street, Gonzalez’s own story was woven with values K holds dear: inquiry, experiential learning and a belief that education can transform a life, a family and a society.

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Gonzalez grew up with an early vocational dream. He wanted to understand the causes of the poverty he witnessed in his homeland and help change the conditions that produce it, so he decided to study economics.

As an undergraduate student at the Monterrey Institute of Technology, he had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire—a life-changing experience, he said. He went on to earn master’s and doctoral degrees at Michigan State University, where he was asked to teach as a graduate student. The moment he stepped into the classroom, he discovered his passion for working with students. That love of teaching and learning never left, even as he moved into senior leadership roles at Trinity University and Occidental College. When he decided to answer the call as K was seeking its 18th president, it was not an action driven by ambition but by a sense of alignment.

“I told the board when I was applying for the job that I didn’t want to be a college president,” he said. “I wanted to be president of Kalamazoo College. I came here because I believed in what this institution is about.”

An important connection in his journey to K is his wife, Suzie (Martin) Gonzalez ’83. In the earliest days of his presidency, he said her love for the institution deepened their shared sense of calling.

“Marrying Suzie has given me a three-decade familiarity with the College,” he said in 2016. “She embodies the values of K and the K-Plan.”

He describes their partnership today with the same warmth and admiration.

“Suzie loves the school passionately,” he said. “She loves attending every event that happens on campus. She loves having meals with students. It’s quite unique to have a president whose spouse happens to be a graduate of the college. I feel so fortunate and so privileged to have had that opportunity—and she’s amazing in what she does for K.”

A Decade of Change

When Gonzalez talks about the College, he returns again and again to one word: dynamic.

“Kalamazoo College has become, in my mind, much more dynamic,” Gonzalez said, referring to all the ways a college adapts without losing itself: new majors like biochemistry and quantitative economics, shaped by student interest and faculty foresight; evolving study abroad opportunities in new countries; changing student demographics; and renewed attention to career preparation that helps students translate what they learn into the language of the world outside of K.

“The image of the liberal arts college is that it’s an institution that was created 193 years ago and has not changed a bit,” he said. “That cannot be further from the truth. We do it slowly, thoughtfully, but we do evolve and that dynamism is inspiring.”

The key, he says, is to pay attention while not overreacting.

“Is there something that will dramatically change how our students are going to face the world? If so, how do we incorporate that? Because at the end of the day, we’re for and about our students, and our mission is to prepare them for the world that they’re going to live in: increasingly complex, increasingly diverse.”

During Gonzalez’s presidency, this mission translated into strategic priorities aimed at strengthening academics and student life, fostering an inclusive and supportive campus, advancing enrollment and financial sustainability, and modernizing K’s historic campus.

Fundraising fueled that momentum. Under his leadership, the institution’s Brighter Light Campaign became the most successful fundraising effort in Kalamazoo College’s history, raising $203,236,489 from more than 16,500 donors. Much of the philanthropic support was directed toward student access to every facet of the K-Plan, as well as investments in the institution’s faculty, instructional spaces, athletic programming and other aspects of campus life.

Hall said that the energy around the Brighter Light Campaign started early on. “Jorge began laying the groundwork for a major fundraising campaign, mobilizing the board and staff and devoting his time and talent to conversations with alumni and friends of the College.”

Karen Isble, vice president for advancement, has spent countless hours and miles watching those conversations unfold.

“He is an exquisite storyteller,” Isble said. “I can hear him give the same talk several times in a week on the road and still find myself leaning in thinking, ‘…and then what happened?’ His passion for K and the stories he tells about students, faculty and staff are personal, compelling and genuine. You can’t fake that.”

This oratorial gift has helped the College ensure that hallmark experiences like undergraduate research and study abroad remain accessible, with individuals and even entire classes of alumni contributing to funds that support these experiences.

Margaret Wiedenhoeft, associate provost and executive director of the Center for International Programs, credits Gonzalez with helping alumni understand the practical barriers that can keep students from transformative opportunities like study abroad.

“He has deeply understood the increasing costs associated with this experience,” Wiedenhoeft said, “and how today’s students may not have the discretionary income to cover additional expenses such as applying for a passport, giving up a needed campus job or being able to travel during breaks.”

She also said Gonzalez arrived at K with an understanding that global learning is more than just the act of going abroad, and he has helped generate support for these other aspects.

“Jorge recognized that in order to be relevant in the liberal arts, a key component would be to incorporate and support global learning, whether that looks like the presence of international students on campus, a commitment to recruit international faculty and staff, or supporting faculty in pursuing a global perspective in their discipline.”

A North Star

No decade in higher education passes without disruption. Gonzalez’s presidency included a significant one: the COVID-19 pandemic and its cascading pressures.

His approach, he said, reflected a guiding principle he relies on for any serious challenge.

“You need to have a very clear North Star, a really clear direction of where you want to go,” he said, “and then you measure all the actions you are considering against whether they are going to help us get toward that North Star.”

For Gonzalez, following that North Star means weighing financial implications alongside the impact on the community, whether it’s a global pandemic or a financial deficit.

“It could be very easy to make decisions only on the basis of the bottom line,” he said, “but you need to pay attention to people.”

Si Johnson ’78, who served as Board chair from 2019 to 2024, recalled that Gonzalez established three priorities during the pandemic: keeping people safe first and foremost, meaningfully advancing students toward their degrees, and retaining employees.

“The COVID pandemic presented an extraordinary public health challenge, significant financial pressures, and enormous uncertainty,” Johnson said. “In the midst of this, Jorge pursued these three priorities with focus, optimism and resolve. It was an example of exceptional leadership and K rallied around these priorities.”

Johnson sees a direct connection between Gonzalez’s leadership and the educational outcomes K hopes students carry into the world.

“It strikes me that Jorge was modeling what we strive to impart to our students,” he said. “Critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration.”

A Lifelong Learner and Listener

Ask Gonzalez how students, faculty and staff have shaped his presidency and he answers without hesitation.

“I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner who believes everyone can teach you something,” he said. “Throughout my 10 years, I’ve been learning from staff colleagues, the faculty and our students, and as we adapt what the College is doing, we take into account all those lessons.”

Gonzalez emphasizes the value of multiple perspectives when choosing priorities.

“I have a lot of energy, and I want to move very fast on many things. I have learned that it is important to take a breath, listen and see your blind spots,” he said.

J. Malcolm Smith, vice president for student development, has seen Gonzalez take this approach both in cabinet rooms and student spaces.

“Jorge has been a tremendous advocate for student success,” Smith said. “He is a great listener and is very thoughtful when considering what advances we are working toward.”

Smith emphasized that Gonzalez’s ability to listen and bring the College’s work to life for others has been critical as K has worked to support first-generation students and strengthen student success initiatives.

“I have been in higher education for almost 30 years and have not worked with a more caring leader,” Smith said. “He is trusting, honest and dedicated.”

Gonzalez recalled a lesson Smith taught him early on—a way to talk about residence halls that focuses not on buildings but on belonging.

“We don’t want students to come to K because of the residence halls,” Gonzalez said. “We want them to come because of what happens in the residence halls.”

Their work together on residential life helped pave the way for one of the most significant campus capital projects of Gonzalez’s presidency: the construction of two new residence halls for juniors and seniors, the first new living spaces to be built since the 1960s. Construction began in 2025, with a target completion date of fall 2027.

As prominent as that project is, Gonzalez is also quick to highlight key campus improvements that are less visible. He heard loud and clear that the College needed to address its aging infrastructure, leading to multiyear projects to update thermal systems and modernize the electrical infrastructure, strengthening safety, reliability and long-term sustainability. Other campus renewal projects have included replacing the natatorium with a new LEED-certified, two-story facility, renovating the iconic Stetson Chapel and completing much-needed maintenance to Dow Science Center.

A Fixture on Campus

President Gonzalez has never led from a distance. His enthusiasm for the student experience has kept him happily in the mix of campus life.

He and Suzie are fixtures at sporting events, music performances and campus traditions like the annual Monte Carlo night. He eats regularly at Welles Dining Hall and invites students to Hodge House for dinner. That student connection is what he expects to miss most when he retires this spring.

“I spent 46 years on college campuses, and people say that you stay young when you stay in contact with young people,” Gonzalez says. “I get to hear what students are passionate about, what they’re excited about, and what they’re worried or angry about. And what inspires me the most is their resilience and their kindness.”

One campus organization where students interact regularly with the president is the President’s Student Ambassador (PSA) program. Students in this program serve as an extension of the president’s hospitality, welcoming K alumni and guests at events and sharing their own experiences at K.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen President Jorge Gonzalez not smiling,” said Jessica Kaplan ’26, a PSA. “At campus events he is always cracking a joke or two. He remembers names, majors, sporting events and general information students share with him.”

Kaplan recalled arriving at a dinner at the president’s home and being greeted in a way that made her feel instantly known.

“Immediately after walking through the door, he and Mrs. Gonzalez referred to me by name and asked me how my job at the Math and Physics Center was treating me,” she said. “It’s very clear his main goal as president is to make Kalamazoo College a more inviting, welcoming place, and he succeeds greatly at it.”

PSA Blake Filkins ’26 remembers how down to earth Gonzalez was when they first met him.

“In many hierarchical settings, there is a disconnect between those in positions of authority and those below them,” Filkins said. “But that was not the case with President Gonzalez. He spoke with us as equals.”

Filkins observed that in student spaces, “President Gonzalez makes an effort to talk with students, offer advice, ask about their experiences and ensure they feel heard. He is someone who leaves you feeling valued and cared for after every conversation.”

His advice and encouragement come through in both casual conversations and more formal occasions.

“One message that has stayed with me is the one President Gonzalez shared with my class during Convocation,” Filkins said. “He emphasized the importance of engaging with people who are different from us socioeconomically, politically and culturally. It is easy to stay within our own bubbles, surrounded by those who think and live like we do. However, true growth comes from stepping outside those circles, connecting with others and learning to see the world through their perspectives.”

Kaplan said it has been an honor for her to serve as a PSA for the last three years, adding, “I hope President Gonzalez knows how grateful we are for his time at Kalamazoo College.”

Being the Light

Asked what he hopes people will say about his presidency, Gonzalez did not reach for an accolade. Instead, he kept it student-centered.

“I hope that it’s remembered as an era in which the College continued to evolve to better serve the needs of our students,” he said.

“I always emphasize that a president doesn’t have accomplishments. The College has accomplishments,” he continued. “I’m very proud of the dynamism and sustainability of the College—and I mean sustainability broadly: environmental steps that we have taken, our physical plant, the fundraising success that allows us to fulfill our mission now and for years to come. But none of this was done by me. It was done by hundreds of people in our K community who care deeply about what happens here.”

Jody Clark ’80, the College’s current Board chair, is more willing to offer an accolade or two.

“Jorge’s impact on the future of Kalamazoo College is immeasurable,” she said, citing a leadership team built for long-term alignment, record-setting fundraising and a strong commitment to representation and belonging.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I offer our deepest gratitude for Jorge’s steadfast leadership, his guidance through both challenge and opportunity, and the relentless energy he has poured into this institution,” Clark said. “His commitment has strengthened Kalamazoo College in ways that will endure, and we are profoundly grateful for the vision, heart and integrity he has brought to his years of service.”

When asked what gives him confidence about K’s future, Gonzalez answered simply.

“It’s people,” he said. “It’s the commitment that faculty, staff, Board members and students have to the mission of this institution. There’s a strong consensus as to who we are and what we’re about.”

That confidence also eases Gonzalez’s transition from K’s cheerleader-in-chief to full-time fútbol fan. After retiring, he and Suzie will split their time between Texas and Michigan, and they plan to travel. They are looking forward to spending more time with their adult children, Kristina and Carlos. Ever the lifelong learner, Gonzalez is also excited about getting back to his first passion: economics.

“I’ve been a scholar all my life, but my scholarly life has been more or less on hold since I became a full-time administrator,” Gonzalez said. “Being able to go back and read about economics, think about economics and be a scholar in my field is something I’m looking forward to.”

As that day approaches, Gonzalez reflects on the College’s motto, “Lux Esto,” with the clarity of someone who has spent a life in education.

“Lux Esto means ‘be light,’” he said. “To me, education is light. It is the light that can destroy ignorance. It is the light that can destroy bigotry. So ‘be light’ is what we are about. Let’s bring education to the world and help society move forward.”

It is the kind of line that could close a speech, a letter or a decade. It also reads like an invitation to a community that has always been about opening minds, opening hearts and opening doors. A community that, when it sees someone new walking along Academy Street, still crosses over to say “Welcome.”