It’s graduation season, and we’d like to give a special shoutout and thank you to the Albion College students who have made an impact in our community. These students have been involved in Albion in various ways from community service to working locally. We appreciate their hard work and dedication.
Add to the celebration! Submit yourself or your impactful graduating student in the short survey linked here! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026Albion-College-Grad
Jayshon Russ
Hometown: Albion, MI
Major: Kinesiology
Campus Involvements: Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, Community Assistant, Curtis Institute for Social Change, Wilson institute, Albion Fellow, Union Board, Student Senate, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Black Student Alliance (BSA)
Community Involvements: Volunteer at Playright Sports Academy, Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum, and Harrington Elementary School
Future: Jayshon plans to attend Morgan State to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical sciences and later apply to medical schools.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love? “One aspect of Albion I love is the sense of community I have been able to make my time here. It helped me find my voice.”
Taylore Wilson
Hometown: Harbor Springs, MI
Major: Marketing Management & Psychology
Campus Involvements: Albion College AmeriCorps, Golf, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Community Involvements: Volunteer at Families First Learning Center and AmeriCorps Signature program – Brain Corps
Future: Taylore plans to continue to work on marketing and communications for nonprofits, and this summer will be working at an artist learning more about how impactful nonprofits are and how they operate from a business standpoint.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love? “The ability to choose. Having the opportunity to be a part of different things and not having to pick and choose. Getting to be an athlete while apart of other organizations and being involved in the community.”
Haileystar Castañeda
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Major: Economics & Management and Music
Campus Involvements: Organization of LatinX Awareness (OLA), Black Student Alliance (BSA), Albion Democrats, TRIO Program, Honors Program, Gerstacker Institute
Community Involvements: AmeriCorps Office of Belonging Community Outreach, Sister City Committee, First United Methodist Church Choir
Future: Haileystar plans to study abroad for their last semester in Milan, Italy and then go into Project Management.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love? “I love the city of Albion’s community and all the connections I have made on and off campus.”
Vanessa Fuentes
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Community Involvements: Vanessa works at Stirling Books & Brew
Submitted by Employer, Jim Stuart: “Vanessa has been a terrific employee for us while she was at Albion College. She connects well with our customers, and especially with other Albion College Students. We are thankful that we have her through the summer this year as she prepares for her next adventure.”
Breanna Ridley
Hometown: Albion, Michigan
Major: Sociology | Minor: Education
Campus Involvements: Build Albion Fellows & AmeriCorps
Community Involvements: Volunteer at Harrington Elementary School, Big Read College Volunteer, and 4-H Mentor
Future: Breanna plans to attend Eastern Michigan University for their Masters Social Work program.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love? “I love that everyone in Albion supports each other and wants to help each other in whatever someone needs.”
Makayla Vines
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
Major: Kinesiology | Minor: Psychology
Campus Involvements: Albion College AmeriCorps, Student Reproductive – Justice- Member-At-Large, Union Board, Albion-O, Office Assistant for Office of Belonging, Phi Gamma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated
Community Involvements: Volunteer within the community
Future: Makayla plans to attend Grad School for Occupational/Athletic Training Program at Grand Valley State University.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love? “One aspect of Albion that I love is how close knit it is with students, staff, and faculty. Also, that everyone shows up for you in the ways that matter most so your never alone or in need of help!”
Derek Koshorek
Hometown: Menominee, Michigan
Major: Psychology
Campus Involvements: Albion College AmeriCorps
Community Involvements: Tutor at local schools; MOHS, Marshall High, and Harrington. Kids ‘N’ Stuff Children’s Museum and Playright Sports Academy
Future: Derek will be taking a gap year before moving to Settle for graduate school, with the end goal of being a youth therapist.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love?
“I love the community of Albion, when asked if I’m ready to graduate, I only hesitate since I will miss all of the people I was able to work with while going to school here. The program directors, community members, other volunteers, and the students themselves. Every relationship that I was able to create, I am grateful for.”
Breanna Staley
Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan
Major: Economics & Management | Minor: Environmental Studies
Campus Involvements: Women’s Tennis Team, Ford Institute, Alpha Chi Omega, Panhellenic Council
Community Involvements: Served two AmeriCorps terms at the City of Albion and Albion Economic Development Corporation
Future: Breanna plans to move back to her hometown and find a job in the area.
What is one aspect of Albion that you love? “I love how the community here always comes together to get things done. For example, Albion Community Day.”
