The Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC) has honored Sarah Pelyhes, Kalamazoo College’s admission counselor and international recruitment coordinator, with its annual Rising Star Award. The distinction recognizes her early career contributions and commitment to advancing work in her field.
“Recognition like this not only celebrates Sarah’s individual achievements; it also elevates Kalamazoo College’s visibility in the recruitment space,” Director of Admission Shannon Milan ’16 said. “It reinforces our commitment to international students and signals that our team is actively shaping the broader admission profession.”
Pelyhes received her bachelor’s degree from Hope College before teaching English as a second language in Madrid for two years through Spain’s North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP). While abroad, she received a master’s degree in global higher education from the University of Alcalá de Henares Instituto Franklin. She began working at K’s Admission Office in July 2024, recruiting students from Michigan and the Pacific Northwest before helping Rod Malcolm, the retired senior associate director of admission, with international recruitment.
“K gives students the freedom to try new things and pursue areas outside of what they anticipated studying,” Pelyhes said. “I think that freedom creates students willing to be curious and open to understanding new connections within their disciplines. More so, K does a great job of fostering creativity, global awareness, and community building. These are students dedicated to building a better future.”
Receiving such an award in a field currently facing enrollment and budget challenges, Pelyhes said, motivates her to continue working to advocate for and support international students who are making a significant leap toward studying in the U.S.
“It was completely unexpected, but it feels like an amazing reflection of the support and trust the folks in my office have placed in me to do this work and to be able to represent K on a global scale,” she said. “By providing domestic students the opportunity to befriend, study alongside, and live with people from different cultures, we provide them with an opportunity to challenge themselves and their world views. It’s important for us to model and embody what it means to be welcoming while creating a true sense of belonging.”