Kalamazoo Scholar Excels in Chemistry and Peer Leadership, Pursues Doctorate
Alexandro Cruz, a senior Posse Scholar at Kalamazoo College, is working towards his dream of becoming a chemist and educator.
He discovered a passion for chemistry during his first year at Kalamazoo after taking a class with Professor Jeffrey Bartz, whose enthusiasm and guidance inspired Alexandro to switch majors and pursue chemistry. Just seven weeks into his first semester, with plenty of enthusiasm but no prior lab experience, Alexandro was welcomed into Professor Bartz’s research lab.
“It is necessary to help underclassmen and make sure we are creating opportunities for inclusion in the sciences.”
“It was Professor Bartz’s willingness to allow me to join his research and his mentorship that drew me to chemistry,” says Alexandro.
In addition to working in a lab, Alexandro’s experience as an undergraduate teaching assistant allowed him to explore his interest in science education. He hopes to be able to support students and foster their passions for chemistry—just as others did for him.
Alexandro joined Sukuma Dow, a support group for students of color majoring in biology and chemistry. He has since become a leader of the group, helping to recruit members and establish a community in the sciences at Kalamazoo.
“Creating a support system within these fields helped to motivate me,” Alexandro says. “It became important for me to build a culture of passing it down. It is necessary to help underclassmen and make sure we are creating opportunities for inclusion in the sciences.”
As a senior at Kalamazoo, Alexandro has now been accepted into multiple doctoral programs in chemistry, including at the University of California, Los Angeles, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Johns Hopkins University, a Posse Graduate School Affiliate.
“My success wasn’t just me; it was also the village behind me.”
“I am grateful for the support I received from my Posse at Kalamazoo,” Alexandro says. “My success wasn’t just me; it was also the village behind me.”
He also credits his parents as a major source of inspiration and for instilling in him a good work ethic.
In his chosen graduate program, Alexandro plans to focus his studies on synthetic organic chemistry, which looks to develop synthetic molecules found originally in organic matter.
