The Professional Development & Training Center of SW Michigan is a non-profit 501 (C) 3, Michigan licensed proprietary school. The PDTC believes that every adult should have the opportunity to enhance their personal, technical and professional skills required to earn a living wage in today’s economy.

Our mission is to assist in raising individuals’ earning potential through training in professional office skills. Upon completion of our program, students will have the confidence and ability to compete for entry-level positions in the employment market.


Award Nominations
Nominated 2006 and 2007 for the AHSA (American Humanics Student Association at WMU) for best emerging non-profit that has been incorporated five years or less. 2007 PDTC was one of three runner-ups out of 100 nominees!

Career Transition Loans
You May Qualify for up to a $10,000 Career Transition Loan! In cooperation with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), First Community Federal Credit Union is committing a limited amount of Career Transition Loan funds to qualifying members.

More Education = Good Jobs
According to a wide range of economic, education and business experts, good jobs require more math and English than ever before, and workers will need some postsecondary education or training to meet the needs of the high performance workplace.


 

 

 



225 Parsons Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269.492.1460


Stacy Rodgers, Executive Director and Founder
Stacy oversees operations and holds the responsibility for Community Development through partnerships and collaborations, student recruitment, and expansion of our mobile training operation.
 
Stacy believes that we are all born with potential and it doesn't go away because of age or what life has brought to us, it needs to be cultivated. As the Founder of PDTC, the idea was to continue to assist people to find their positive side and give them an opportunity to redevelop themselves.

Stacy offers a diverse professional background; over eight years in development & training for a financial institute, professional sales and regional management for Revlon Cosmetics and many years in the Human Resources and placement business. Her educational background is Business and Communication.

Stacy is one of the founders of the Professionals for Success Business to Business Networking Solutions; currently assisting as the Business Development Director for the SW Michigan Region. Assisting in speed Networking Events and the monthly meetings, PFS is affiliated with the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce.

Stacy is involved within the community and has memberships with KHRMA, Northside Business Association, Kalamazoo Regional Chamber and the Oakwood Bible Church. Stacy has spoke at many events and lunchoens on topics of encouragement, networking and motivating individuals and groups to realize their potential both personally and professioanlly.

Diane Campbell, Program Coordinator
Diane holds the responsibility of encouraging students into our programs, assisting in finding funding through sponsors, scholarships or education loans. She coordinates all instructors and guest speakers for the classroom, and supervises the progress of each student to assist in making them a success.

Diane's 20 years of experience in retail and customer service has prepared her in her leadership role at PDTC. Diane has resided in the Kalamazoo area for the last 14 years and is originally from Jackson, Michigan.

Diane first came to PDTC as a student in early 2007. She saw the potential that PDTC had and now as the Program Coordinator, passes that personal experience onto the students who attend.

While Diane has many responsibilities, her goal is to prepare and ensure the success of each student, in every single class at PDTC.

Kimberly Woodruff, Placement Center Coordinator
AmeriCorps LISC
Kimberly is a energetic person who is motivated through empowering others.  Born and raised in Kalamazoo, Kim is well respected in the community and prides herself on giving back.  Kim has a degree in Computer Science from ITT-Technical Institute and over five years experience in accounting and customer service.  Kimberly decided to invest in herself when she enrolled in PDTC program in January of 2007. 

AmeriCorps LISC provided Kim the opportunity to assist PDTC with introducing the Placement Center.  As the Placement Center Coordinator she serves as a career coach to PDTC students, through resume building, testing and soft skill training in order to help them obtain gainful employment.

Kimberly also oversees PDTC Alumni committee assisting with communications, activities and on-going training opportunities.  Kimberly's professional demanor and uplifting attitude is a prime example of PDTC contribution to work force development.

Gail Kendall, Program Assistant
Gail supports the students through running the program curriculum, while also encouraging the students through the daily projects and introduction to new software applications. Gail works not only with the certificate students, but also is the instructor for the Training Solutions classes.

Bonnie Couzens, AARP
Research Assistant
Bonnie will be assisting the fund development coordinator through research of funding opportunities. She is also responsible for submitting grant proposals to numerous small businesses throughout Southwest Michigan.

Debra Rice, AARP
Administrative Assistant
Debra assists with contacting the media through various correspondence and marketing tools. She also assists with the phone and administrative duties.

Nicole Fonger, Contracted Instructor

Nicole is a highly motivated and focused individual who shares the PDTC philosophy of excellence in service and striving to reach higher goals. Nicole comes to the PDTC with an extensive background in sales, which is complimented by her MBA in Global Management & a Bachelors degree in Marketing & Management.

Originally from the U.K., Nicole moved to West Branch, Michigan at a young age. She lived in Rochester, Michigan after college, and then Kalamazoo.

Nicole is a local Realtor®, specializing in residential sales with the Jaqua Realtors firm. In her leisure time, Nicole enjoys bike riding, golf, soccer and reading. She is also a member of the Kalamazoo Human Resources Managers Association (KHRMA).

Nicole’s energetic presence and passion for working with people allows her to build positive relationships with her students. She has a natural ability to lead by example and see the big picture, yet focus on the steps to help students achieve their goals.

Barb Miner, Microsoft Certified Office Specialist

Barb's passion is working with people to help them feel more confident in their ability to learn, to create, and to complete computer-based tasks with ease.

Barb worked with computers in a corporate environment for over 20 years, yet she remains amazed that she can get in touch with what it feels like to be a beginner. She often hears “I’m so stupid” and doesn’t believe a word of it. 

Barb believes that no one is “stupid” when it comes to computers – there are just things not yet encountered or learned. She looks forward to working with people to help remove the fear and anxiety that many people feel when starting to work with computers, teaching them techniques while adding in elements of fun because she loves to hear a student’s “ah-ha’s”!!

For more information, visit her website, www.definedsolutions.com

 Beth Disbrow, Volunteer Operations


Finance Committee

Jamie Langfeldt
Tiffany Jackson
Stacy Rodgers
Beth Disbrow

Technology Committee

Brian Kimbrough
Jim Penix
Russ Gillis
Stacy Rodgers 

Marketing Committee

Michele LaDuke
Elizabeth Brundage
Nicole Fonger
Stacy Rodgers
Jim Penix

Alumni Committee

Kimberly Woodruff
Judy Larson
Pat Buchanan
Lou Ella Knox
Mary Hempsell