Danette Ifert Johnson joined Kalamazoo College as provost in July 2019.

Roles and Responsibilities

As the College’s chief academic officer, Danette provides academic vision for the College and serves as the spokesperson for K’s academic mission. Her responsibilities include recruitment, development and evaluation of faculty and staff; continuous evaluation and development of the curriculum; and access for students to experiential and other high-impact learning opportunities. The provost serves as a champion for both faculty and students and oversees educational affairs, activities, personnel and programs, including Academic Advising; Athletics; the Center for Career and Professional Development; the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement; the Larry J. Bell ’80 Center for Environmental Stewardship; the Office of Grants, Fellowships, and Research; Health Professions Advising; Information Services; Institutional Research; the Center for International Programs; the Registrar’s Office; and the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. 

Professional Experience

Danette previously served as vice provost at Ithaca College, where she was a tenured professor in communication studies. She also served as the inaugural director of Ithaca’s Integrative Core Curriculum. 

She has been a faculty member at West Virginia Wesleyan College and Texas Tech University in addition to Ithaca College. She served as the executive director and president of the Eastern Communication Association (ECA), which has honored her as a distinguished teaching fellow and distinguished research fellow. An alumna of West Virginia Wesleyan, Danette served her alma mater as president of the alumni council and member of the board of trustees. 

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, speech communication and history, West Virginia Wesleyan College 
• Master of Arts, educational psychology, West Virginia University 
• Master of Arts and Doctorate, communication studies, Northwestern University 

Why K?

“I was initially drawn to K by a desire to return to the liberal arts college environment that was so transformative for me. K’s focus on experiential education aligns well with my view of the powerful impact higher education can have on people’s lives. Coming to work is fun because I get to support and collaborate with many outstanding and accomplished colleagues within academic affairs and across the College in support of our mission.”

Life Outside of the College

“Outside of K, I serve as a board member for the Irving S. Gilmore Piano Festival and sing alto in my church choir. I enjoy traveling, watching Baltimore Orioles baseball, and reading, as well as supporting the activities of my two teenage children.”

Karen Isble joined Kalamazoo College as vice president for college advancement in September of 2020.

Roles and Responsibilities

Karen oversees fundraising, alumni engagement, and marketing and communication for the College. She provides vision and leadership around strategic planning, goal setting, reporting and communication for both campaign and annual fundraising goals. In partnership with faculty and College leadership, Karen directs efforts to connect donors with fundraising priorities, support and expand the donor base and encourage broader engagement by students, alumni, parents and friends.

Professional Experience

Before coming to K, Karen was associate vice chancellor and campaign director for university advancement at University of California, Irvine. Karen joined UC Irvine in 2017 and led the planning and execution of the university’s $2 billion comprehensive multi-year campaign, “Brilliant Future.” In this role, she worked with campus leadership, deans, unit directors, faculty members, foundation trustees, volunteers and advancement staff to foster partnerships, create awareness, and coordinate the activities which support the university’s campaign fundraising goals.  

Prior to joining UC Irvine, Karen served as assistant vice president for development at the University of Michigan. During her 11 years at Michigan, she oversaw the prospect development, data and technology infrastructure for the 600-member development staff community, covering 36 schools, colleges, units, and the academic medical center. Karen also played an integral role in the university’s $5.3 billion “Victors for Michigan” campaign, coordinating multiple aspects of campaign planning and working with campaign counsel, volunteers, donors and university leadership. 

A Detroit native, Karen worked in arts administration and fundraising roles at the Chamber Music Society of Detroit, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Goodman Theatre prior to joining University of Michigan. She served for five years on the board of Apra, serving as president in 2013-14. She has been a speaker and author, regionally and nationally, with Apra, CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) and AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), among others.  

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, music, Harvard University 
• Master of Music, voice performance, University of Michigan 

Why K?

“I chose K for the opportunity to work with and learn from an incredibly strong leadership team. That aspiration has been met – and then some! I also chose K because I knew that I would have a chance to be closely involved in every part of campus life, get to know students and faculty, and see first-hand the impact we can make through strong alumni engagement, creative and timely communications, and inspirational philanthropy from donors and friends who care deeply about the College.” 

Life Outside of the College

“Moving to Kalamazoo was great for me as I have family in Detroit, Chicago and north of Grand Rapids. I love the proximity to Lake Michigan and I am still exploring all Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan have to offer. Following my musical roots, I joined the board of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in 2021. An avid choral singer, I’m excited to join the ranks of the Bach Festival Chorus this year! My husband and I have two adult children and share our home with our two very spoiled rescue pups.”

J. Malcolm Smith joined Kalamazoo College as vice president for student development and dean of students in August 2021.

Roles and Responsibilities

Malcolm oversees all student development offices and departments, including Campus Dining, Chapel/Religious and Spiritual Life, Counseling, Disability Services, First-Year Experience, LandSea, Intercultural Student Life, Residential Life, Campus Safety, Student Conduct, Student Health Center and Student Involvement. As dean of students, Malcolm leads the way in attending to students’ needs; helping create the conditions for a challenging, engaging and supportive out-of-class experience for students; supporting faculty and staff colleagues; and working with parents as appropriate. 

Professional Experience

Malcolm came to K from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, where he served as vice president for student affairs and dean of students. He joined Salve Regina in 2013 as dean of students and also served as associate vice president before being named vice president in 2019. During his tenure at Salve, Malcolm led the revision of the university’s sexual misconduct policy, established the Student Conduct Hearing Board to give students a stronger voice in the university judicial process, developed services and programs for the LGBTQ+ student community, and developed a Review and Standards committee to give students, faculty and staff input on proposed revisions to conduct policies. 

Prior to Salve Regina, Malcolm worked at a variety of institutions, including John Carroll University, Ohio University and University of Illinois at Chicago. He brings extensive experience in areas such as student conduct and advocacy; retention efforts; diversity, equity and inclusion; Title IX administration; housing management; budget oversight; and crisis management. 

He has presented on the national and regional level for the National Association for Student Personnel Administration, the Association of Title IX Administrators, and the Association for Student Conduct Administration. In 2006, Malcolm received the Annuit Coeptis Award for Emerging Professionals from the American College Personnel Association. 

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, elementary education, Ohio University
• Master of Education, college student personnel, Ohio University 

Why K?

“When the opportunity to work at K presented itself, I was full of excitement. I feel that K is a great fit for my leadership style, my vision for student development, and my desire to make an impact on the world through higher education. We have some of the best students in the world and they bring me energy and joy. If I am able to have an impact on their success at K and beyond, I will be fulfilled. Additionally, the opportunity to help lead K into the future is huge for me and I’m humbled to be a part of the leadership team of such an amazing place.” 

Life Outside of the College

“When I’m not working, I’m usually spending time with my family. Whether I’m playing with my daughters or hanging out with my incredible wife, I’m always looking for ways to bring joy to the table. I enjoy time in the kitchen making a variety of meals for my family, I play chess every day online (sometimes I even win), and I love playing different games with my girls (I almost never win). 

“Currently, I’m serving as a senior fellow for the Aspen Institute. This work brings me tremendous joy, too. We are working to bring leadership development programming to 2.5 million youth in the nation. It is a great institution and wonderful group of fellows to work alongside.” 

Lisa VanDeWeert joined Kalamazoo College as vice president for business and finance in February 2022. 

Roles and Responsibilities

Lisa oversees the business office, human resources, College bookstore and facilities management and has co-oversight of College dining services. She is responsible for planning, implementing, managing and reporting the College’s financial activities, including the College’s endowment. 

Professional Experience

Previously, Lisa served as vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) at Aquinas College. As Aquinas’ CFO and a member of the president’s leadership cabinet, Lisa was responsible for leading accounting, finance, information technology services, human resources, campus safety, physical plant, and operations such as conferencing and events and the campus bookstore.  

Prior to Aquinas, Lisa served as a certified public accountant at Rehmann, supervising and reviewing audits in a variety of industries, including higher education and nonprofit organizations. Before that, she spent 15 years providing audit services and leading teams at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Grand Rapids.  

Lisa is a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. She also serves as CFO group chair for Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU) and as a trustee on the MICU Workers’ Compensation Fund Board. She served on the executive committee and board of directors for Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids.  

Education

• Bachelor of Science, accounting, State University of New York College at Oswego 

Why K?

“I chose K because of the commitment it has to educating students in a unique way through the K-Plan. I was also attracted to the culture present among faculty, staff and students as they go about their daily activities to support each other. I am able to blend my skills and talents with those of the capable leaders and team members at K. I am regularly encouraged and energized by their commitment to their colleagues and the College.” 

Life Outside of the College

“I have enjoyed learning about and exploring the Kalamazoo community and its culture. As a Grand Rapids resident for over 25 years, I love Michigan. It is similar to western New York State where I grew up, but better! My husband, Steve, and I enjoy camping, hiking and exploring all that Michigan has to offer in any season with our two college-aged children. I also enjoy gardening, crafts, reading and spending time with friends and family.”