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“Reach Higher, America; Reach Higher, Kalamazoo-Overcoming the literacy crisis”
Juan Olivarez
President and CEO
Kalamazoo Community Foundation
The Haworth College of Business and Keystone Community Bank invite you to attend the third presentation of the Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series for 2008-09. This event will take place in the Dean's Conference Room (Room 2150 Schneider Hall) of the Haworth College of Business on Friday, January 30, 2009 beginning with breakfast at 7:30 and a presentation to follow at 8:00 a.m.
The featured speaker is Dr. Juan R. Olivarez, President and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. His presentation is entitled, “Reach Higher, America; Reach Higher, Kalamazoo-Overcoming the literacy crisis.”
Olivarez joined the Kalamazoo Community Foundation as president/CEO in July 2008. Prior to that, he served as President of Grand Rapids Community College from 1999 through June 2008. He holds a doctorate in family and child ecology from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in educational psychology from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College. During his career in education, Olivarez held positions as a school psychologist, Supervisor of Elementary Special Education, Director of High Incidence Programs and Services for Special Education, and Executive Director of Research and Development. In 1991, he became Dean of Institutional Research at Grand Rapids Community College and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer of the Community Learning Enterprise in 1996. Olivarez also served as the president of the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation.
Olivarez has demonstrated his commitment to community involvement by serving on committees and boards, including the National Institute for Literacy board (appointed by President George W. Bush); Cherry Commission of Higher Education and Economic Growth (appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm); Delta Strategy Executive Committee and several other local, state and national organizations.
The Keystone Community Bank Breakfast Speaker Series is underwritten through the generosity of Keystone Community Bank. The series provides 
an opportunity for the local community to hear prominent business leaders, WMU faculty, alumni, and friends of the College of Business discuss current business issues, corporate strategies as well as key information regarding the continuing progress of the business college.