Build Albion Fellows: Strengthening communities one student at a time

If you’re a small liberal arts college looking to increase its impact, a good place to start is by diversifying your reach–the exact move Albion College took more than a decade ago with increased recruitment internationally and to networks in California, Texas, Georgia, and other states. 

But unlike a lot of other schools, Albion didn’t stop there. It tapped into an often-overlooked resource: the students in its own backyard. In the fall of 2015, Albion welcomed seven first-year students who grew up in the 49224 ZIP code and attended a local school. Since this inaugural class, the Build Albion Fellows (BAF) program has provided four years of tuition, room, and board support to seven alumni classes, and will have 28 BAF participants on campus this fall.

It’s an incredible deal for the fellows and for the college and community. The fellows support numerous community projects with volunteering, internships, and their BAF senior capstone, which must be community-focused. 

“Over the last decade, Albion College has attempted to dismantle the historic notion of a ‘town-gown divide,’” said Ari McCaskill, executive director of BAF and the James L. Curtis Institute for Social Change. “The BAF has become a beacon of opportunity signaling that liberal arts education can be a catalyst for our local students to live full, purpose-driven lives and contribute to the community in meaningful ways.”

The 38 BAF alumni are involved in health care, education, entrepreneurship, social work, and more. These alumni would have been successful anywhere – but thanks to BAF, Albion gets to call them its own. They include:

Markeese Boyd ‘19 

Homeless and Special Populations Coordinator for Jackson County Independent School District, Head Boys Track Coach, Concord High School

“I had already made a deposit to a public university when my mom heard about Build Albion Fellows and that’s what ultimately led me to Albion. When I started college, I imagined a future in neurosurgery. But over time, I discovered my passion lay elsewhere, and I went on to earn degrees in economics and management, communication studies,, and a master’s in educational leadership.

The greatest impact of BAF was simply the opportunity to attend Albion. I met [Former Assistant Basketball Coach] Marcus Gill ’04, a mentor whose guidance played a key role in shaping my career. Marcus encouraged me to apply for the position I hold today, which has become the most fulfilling role of my professional journey.

Having grown up in circumstances similar to those faced by the families I now serve, I’m able to relate to their experiences and guide them toward the educational resources they need for success. That ability to make a real difference is something I’m grateful for every single day.

I value staying connected to the Albion community and supporting the next generation of students. Whether it’s arranging opportunities for students I work with or offering advice to current undergrads, I’ve learned that Albion connections extend far beyond campus—and that network continues to grow and uplift others.”

Cassidy Porter ‘23

Community & Brand Ambassador, Albion Community Foundation , Store Manager, Pure Albion

“My office is at the Albion Community Foundation, but my role is a partnership between the City of Albion, the Downtown Development Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, and Caster Cares, to promote and market Albion. My work is to improve the perception of Albion through social media, newsletters, podcasts, and print pieces. I’m also the store manager for Pure Albion, where I’ve worked since I was in high school. I’m in charge of staffing, merchandising, marketing, and also do in-house designing and silkscreening.

BAF gave me stepping stones into my current position as community and  brand ambassador. The program allowed me to build relationships and gain new responsibilities to help impact my community and college life. From my experiences with BAF, I have continued to build Albion through established relationships with the same nonprofits I reached out to as a student. 

Growing up, going to college, and now working here, I haven’t experienced living outside the community much. I think about leaving Albion so I can continue to grow, but this is home. Part of the draw to be the community and brand ambassador was feeling like I wasn’t done giving back to my community.”

Cassidy’s sister, Katie Hill ‘20, brother-in-law, Eron Hill ’20, and partner, D’Mitrius Robinson ‘22, are also BAF alumni.

Tailynn White ‘25

Entering University of Michigan Flint in 2025

“This fall, I’ll be part of the accelerated BSN program at the University of Michigan Flint. In two years, I’ll get my BSN and hopefully my RN certification, so I can work in a hospital, do travel nursing, and eventually become a nurse anesthetist or perfusionist. I’ll be in the OR, even if I’m not the surgeon.

Being a part of BAF gave me a real lesson on leadership. I’m not the one who jumps to take control in a group, but I definitely can step up to that plate. For my BAF volunteer requirements, I coached youth soccer and helped direct a YMCA camp, and with Americorps, I was a founding member of Tech Savvy Seniors. In my current job, I help the nurses by knowing how to take control of all the things that have to be done when we’re sometimes caring for 35 or more patients at once.

My association with the Wilson Institute for Medicine led to an internship with a hospice center, and this is what shifted my focus from pre-med to nursing. Even though I applied to Albion mostly because of the Build Albion Fellows program, there has been so much here that has made my future so exciting for me.”