Our Event Staff
Deborah Droppers
Founder & Executive Director
"My mom, Shirley Van Hoeven, inspires me every day and it is in her spirit that I founded the Center. She lived her life for college students when she was teaching at Western Michigan University. Her impact still resonates through her Scholarship Fund in the Communications Department.
This center is my dream. I love working with non-profits and enjoy the chaos of working with interns. I am inspired to think of new ideas to make events more interactive, customer-focused, and multi-layered. I teach at Western Michigan University and run the Event Management Minor. It's insanely fun. Every day I learn something new in preparation for the lectures that hopefully engage, inspire, transform. Within this pledge, we celebrate the passion of the product and the people we serve.
It's an amazing adventure".
Matt Slagell
Event and Logistics Director
Matt is a graduate of Grand Valley University, and he travels from Grand Rapids to come here at KELC to coordinate all the logistical stuff that makes an event run smoothly. He is an advertising and public relations graduate and is also really good at creating all the marketing materials needed to make our events tell stories about who we are and what we do.
Jada Thrash
Sponsorship and Recruitment Coordinator
Jada Thrash, a recent graduate from Central Michigan University, is incredibly excited to be back in her hometown creating meaningful and memorable experiences for the community. Jada earned her B.A. in Rec & Event Management and Nonprofit Administration, with minors in Leadership and Communications.
Jada's professional experience includes internships with the Smithsonian Institution and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. These opportunities allowed her to develop a strong foundation in event management, community outreach, and sponsorship coordination. Her favorite event to work on is the KDPS Block Parties, where she enjoys the vibrant community atmosphere and the opportunity to make a tangible impact, fostering trust, building connections, and creating joyful memories for the youth and families in the Kalamazoo neighborhoods. Jada’s goal is to continue fostering positive change and strong community engagement through her work at KELC, making a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.
Our Interns
Bree
Meet Bree!
Major: Strategic Communication & Psychology
Minor: Social Work/Event Management
Favorite Event: Santa's Workshop
“I look forward to learning the ins and out of event planning and execution through KELC. The variety of events allows me to get a feel for different ways we engage with the community while getting the experience needed to finish my degree. With everyday being a new day there is never a dull moment”.
Katelyn Fikes
Meet Katelyn!
Major: Marketing
Minor: General Business and Event Management