Southwestern Michigan College Board of Trustees Dec. 13 recognized Keith H. McKenzie Residence Hall Manager Kyra DeLoach for receiving a statewide award.

The Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) named DeLoach the Outstanding Entry-Level Professional for those with less than five years of experience in the profession among all Michigan colleges and universities.

“Selection is based on the following,” President Dr. Joe Odenwald said. “Excellence in overall job performance, going above and beyond the job description by displaying initiative or creativity, demonstration of special contributions to the housing profession with the nominee’s own housing system or other housing or student-development efforts, experiences in fostering inclusiveness and appreciation of differences, active membership in and significant contributions to the mission, vision and goals of GLACUHO.”

“We’re so very proud that Kyra has earned that this year,” Odenwald said. “It’s a great credit to her work.”

DeLoach came to SMC from Sturgis, pursued an associate degree in graphic design and was a 2017 outstanding graduate, including straight A’s on the President’s List that spring.

She interned in the marketing office before transferring to Indiana University South Bend (IUSB), where she was a resident assistant (RA) and design and layout manager for the student newspaper, The Preface.

Her 2020 bachelor’s degree was in fine art with an art history minor. DeLoach, who returned to SMC as RHM in the fall of 2021, is currently working on her Michigan State University master’s degree in educational technology.