After graduating from Kalamazoo College in June, Libby Munoz is working for one year at Fierberg National Law Group in Traverse City, Michigan as a paralegal while applying to law school. The firm specializes in school violence law, particularly fraternity hazing, sexual assault, wrongful death, and Title IX violations.
"K helped me figure out what I really wanted to do," Libby said. "I enjoyed having the freedom to take a variety of different classes with very different experiences so I could find what I'm passionate about and figure out what to do with it. K also helped me to be more confident in my abilities as a student, employee, and person."
Libby participated in a study away experience in the Border Studies Program in Tucson, Arizona, completed her SIP (Senior Individualized Project) called "Hitting Closer to Home:" The Politics of a Community's Understanding of Deportability in Northern Michigan, and did a two-summer internship with Fierberg National Law Group, which helped lead to her current employment. She also worked with Dr. Francisco Villegas as the Kalamazoo County ID Research Coordinator, a countywide task force initiative.
"Working with the Kalamazoo County ID Program was my most valuable experience at K," she said. "I was honored to be a part of the research team and task force that passed and implemented a program which provides a more accessible form of identification to members of the Kalamazoo community."
Playing intercollegiate athletics was also a critical component of Libby's college experience. She earned All-MIAA First Team honors three times during her career. Highlighting her many other accomplishments on the field, she led the MIAA in scoring twice, earned All-Region honors twice, led all of NCAA Division III in game-winning goals in 2017), and ranks eighth in school history with 46 career goals. Combining athletics with academics, Libby was named MIAA Women's Soccer Senior Sportswoman of the Year, earned Scholar All-Region honors, and earned a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She also played basketball her first two years at K, earning team Rookie/Newcomer of the Year her first season.
"It's an extremely competitive environment, while also allowing space to be involved in other things," Libby said. "It's really incredible to be able to participate in soccer without having to sacrifice everything else you want to do, and my coaches at K encouraged involvement in other things, too."
Libby suffered an injury during the winter of her sophomore year that could have ended her career.
"I think sometimes we think we're invincible or that it's always going to be someone else who gets injured until it happens to them," she said. "I learned that the hard way. You never know when a practice or game could be your last, so I learned to play every game like it was my last."
Through the setbacks and successes, Libby is grateful to many who were there for her along the way.
"I am so grateful to Coach Goyings and Coach Miller for the opportunity to continue playing sports through college," she said. "My experience would not have been the same without them, and I'm thankful for their constant support. Also, Dr. Francisco Villegas, my mentor and advisor, always pushed me to be better and provided me with opportunities that I would not have had without his belief in me.
"All around, K has a great athletic program, a great educational program, and so many opportunities available, whether it's involvement in other organizations, attending events, or being able to work during the year. I think it's a really valuable part of being at K."