School for Public Purpose and Professional Advancement

Dr. Kafui Kouakou is teaching Albion students to understand and appreciate the benefits of experiential learning not just for career success tomorrow, but also for college success today.

Through Dean Woodson’s leadership, the School and its students will deeply engage with the community and be part of Albion College’s innovative approach to a liberal arts education.

Albion College, one of the top 50 innovative liberal arts colleges in the country, announced today their new School for Public Purpose and Professional Advancement.

Funding will support an innovative approach to experiential learning at the Albion College Community Collaborative, where students will build and operate a full-scale consulting firm—to be located in a renovated 207 S. Superior St. (left) this fall—serving clients and partners from local, regional and national nonprofits to small businesses and government agencies.

Guided by Dr. Vicki Baker (far left), professor of economics and management, and soon to be situated downtown, students in AC3 connect with and advise local clients, build and refine strategies ranging from operations to marketing, and gain valuable experience and professional preparation.

For Darrell Williams, ’77, leadership skills seem to have followed him since his days as a youngster in Inkster, Mich., eventually settling around him like a cloak. “When I grew up I was always watching leaders and I was behind leaders watching them and seeing what they did,” he says. “When the time came for me to be a leader, I knew how to step into that position.”