Alumni Stories
SVSU alums are doing amazing things in their lives; they have successful careers, thriving personal lives, and help to strengthen their communities. Below are just some of the examples of what amazing things SVSU alums are doing after they graduate.
April 2026
Get to know Ann Russell-Lutenske as she is back on campus performing in SVSU's production of Little Women...Now! Ann is a fixture in the Great Lakes Bay Region community theatre scene, and she has loved the opportunity to work with current SVSU students.
March 2026
From Communications grad to live wedding artist, Kaitlyn Dear ('13) took an unexpected path, and it led to something beautiful.
After years in sales, a single "yes" to painting at a friend's wedding changed everything. Now she's the founder of
Clexo - Live Wedding Painter & Watercolorist, creating unforgettable live art experiences at weddings and celebrations across the region. She loves that she can entertain the guests and create personalized paintings for the couple and guests to keep.
March 2026
Shoutout to SVSU alum Kristin Weston ('22)! After graduating with a degree in Chemistry Education, Kristin has been an influencer in education, both inside and outside the classroom. Kristin is an AP Chemistry teacher at Midland High School. She loves getting to know her students throughout the year and seeing their learning progress. Outside of the classroom, Kristin is on the Bangor Township Schools Board of Education. She was elected at 19 while a full-time SVSU student.
Kristin has also become a TikTok influencer! She has turned her account, @kristinthechemist, into a go-to space for chemistry teachers nationwide to share ideas, swap lab tips, and build community. She has over 21,000 followers, and her most viral video has over 14.2 million views!
April 2026
From chemistry student to Senior Chemist, Eric Nelson ('13) built a career by making the most of every opportunity SVSU had to offer!
Eric dove headfirst into campus life, serving as President of the Chemistry Club and spending two years as a student researcher, even contributing to a published paper, a rare achievement for an undergraduate. He also used SVSU Career Services to land an internship at Gougeon Brothers, which extended into a full-year position before he'd even graduated.
After SVSU, Eric spent nearly a decade at Dow as an analytical chemist before transitioning to Michigan Sugar, where he now serves as Senior Chemist, overseeing lab operations across all factory sites. He loves that every season brings a brand new set of challenges to solve.
We know that you do amazing things, both personally and professionally, and we want to hear all about it. Whether you've landed your dream job, started your own business, or made a difference in your community, we want to celebrate your accomplishments and share your story with the world. We can't wait to hear from you!
CONTACT US.
Alumni
Wickes Hall 160
alumni@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4196
