Northwood University is proud to announce that Kimberly Warner, Associate Director of Career Services and Professional Development, has been awarded the 2025 Career Services Professional Award by the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance (MCEEA).
Since 2012, this award has recognized a career services professional who demonstrates exceptional initiative in promoting career services that benefit the state of Michigan. The award also honors individuals who actively support MCEEA’s mission, foster employer development within the state, mentor fellow professionals, and engage with regional or national career services organizations.
Warner joined Northwood University in July 2023 and has since played an integral role in advancing Northwood’s mission to prepare career-ready, free-enterprise leaders who drive economic and social progress. In her role, she champions student success through individualized coaching, impactful programming, and strong partnerships with employers.
“Kim exemplifies Northwood’s commitment to ensuring students graduate not only with knowledge, but with a plan,” said Dr. Matthew Bennett, Vice President for Enrollment, Strategic Partnerships, and the Center for Automotive & Mobility Studies. “Her work connecting students with meaningful career opportunities and her leadership across Michigan’s career services community make her highly deserving of this recognition.”
Warner is widely respected for her collaborative approach, professionalism, and unwavering focus on outcomes.
“Kim is a mentor to many and a model of excellence in our field,” said Dr. Steven Poole, Director of Career Services and Professional Development. “We are thrilled to see her contributions recognized at the state level.”
Northwood’s Career Services plays a central role in supporting the University’s core outcome – employment. The office offers a robust lineup of services, including one-on-one coaching, employer networking events, career fairs, and skill development and etiquette workshops. These efforts help students secure employment while connecting businesses with the workforce talent they need to thrive.
Warner, a Kawkawlin resident who has 17 years of experience in the career services space, said she is driven by watching Northwood students succeed.
“I find purpose in helping our students build confidence and navigate the path from education to employment,” she added. “Northwood does a great job in preparing our students for their careers, and building that confidence helps set our students apart from others in the workforce.”
As a Northwood alumna, Warner can personally attest that the values-based education guided by The Northwood Idea helps differentiate Northwood graduates from their contemporaries in the workplace. Northwood’s foundational philosophy, The Northwood Idea values individual freedom, personal responsibility, earned success, moral law, and the importance of limited government and free enterprise. It seeks to create ethical leaders who view business not merely as a means to attain ease and influence, but to help drive social and economic progress to make their communities, workplaces, and world a better place.
“What pleases me the most is connecting our students with employers and fostering meaningful relationships that support the growth and success of all involved,” Warner noted.
Employers interested in partnering with Northwood University’s Career Services team to connect with driven and career-ready talent are encouraged to email Dr. Steven Poole at or Kimberly Warner at .
