Aquinas is an exceptional place for forming connections. From lifelong friends, to encouraging professors, to networking for future jobs, Aquinas offers it. Kelsey Kleimola, a 2006 graduate, can attest to this. She chose Aquinas because of its small size, knowing all of the benefits that could come from that. “I liked that it was a smaller campus and had smaller classes because I wanted the individual attention that the professors would provide. I was kind of intimidated by a bigger school,” she said. After graduating with a major in communication and a minor in journalism, Kleimola worked several jobs before becoming a stay-at-home mom and, in 2014, being crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan.

Kleimola lived on campus at Aquinas, an experience that she appreciates for the lasting friends and memories it gave her. “It’s really important to have that community around,” she said. She got involved in Student Senate in 2005 and 2006 and cultivated her journalism skills by writing for Aquinas’ student newspaper, The Saint. As a communication student, she was particularly struck by the helpfulness and availability of her professors, Dr. Dave Weinandy and Dr. Penny Avery. Dr. Weinandy described Kleimola as “an incredibly humble and determined young woman,” who “achieves her goals while helping others achieve their goals.”

Post-graduation, Kleimola worked in the administrative department of a hospice facility. It was during her next job, in a human resources firm, that she learned she was expecting. At that point, Kleimola chose to be a stay-at-home mom and raise her two children.

It was by accident that Kleimola discovered the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan competition last year. She saw a picture on a friend’s Facebook page of him with the titleholder of the competition and jokingly commented, “I should do this competition.” Her friend encouraged her to participate, so she did. On March 1, 2014, she won the title of Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. In August, she will travel to Long Beach, California to compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America.

Kleimola is excited about the organization and the opportunity because of the awareness it spreads about those with disabilities. One of the past titleholders was able to launch a non-profit. Kleimola has a chance to make her name known and “make people aware of the adversities that people with disabilities face.” Moreover, with a journalism background, she hopes to write a book in the future.

“It doesn't surprise me in the least that Kelsey has been recognized for her intelligence, community engagement, and grace by the Ms. Wheelchair Michigan Organization,” Dr. Avery said. “All of my interactions with her while she was at Aquinas College as a student support those qualities.”

Kleimola is driven by her experiences growing up. Dealing with bullies throughout school, she knows how hard things can be. Although she don’t wish those experiences on any one, Kleimola said, “I was pushed to prove people wrong and say, ‘I can do these things and I can have the things I want, I just have to work a little harder for them.’”

In the meantime, Kleimola is focusing on her children, who have daily exposure to individuals with disabilities. Kleimola sees them growing in compassion because of it, especially in the way her son always watches out for her and makes sure she is safe. For her children, the wheelchair is normal and unlike those who are not exposed to such things, they see the person first, not the wheelchair. It is this attitude that Kleimola hopes to foster as the titleholder of Ms. Wheelchair Michigan. As Dr. Weinandy said, “she is a role model of strength and love for [her children] and so many others.”

Kleimola would encourage Aquinas students to pursue any networking opportunities they have while at the College. “Even if you don’t think you know somebody, you probably do, who is going to be able to give you some advice or push you in the right direction as far as careers.” Moreover, she urges students to “keep in touch with the community because Aquinas is a little family and people, even after you graduate, still care about what you’re doing.”