06/03/2026
Committed to Community: Andy Kitslaar, Ripon College ‘06
Long before he was leading Alliant Energy’s corporate foundation, Andy Kitslaar ’06 was assisting fellow students at the Ripon College recreation center and guiding prospective families across campus as an admissions tour guide. Those early roles, alongside a packed schedule of student group involvement, helped shape a career rooted in leadership and community impact.
Ripon is a tradition in Andy’s family. His three siblings and a brother-in-law all attended the college. While pursuing a BA in environmental studies and politics and government, along with a minor in biology, Andy took advantage of numerous campus opportunities. He served as president of the student activities committee, participated in a fraternity, and held roles in the admissions office and the president’s office.
“My experience working in the president’s office led me toward institutional advancement and the completion of a Master of Education in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University,” he shared.
Prior to joining Alliant Energy in 2022, Andy held key advancement roles in higher education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Haverford College, and Gettysburg College. He served as an alderman for the City of Monona for four years, bringing a thoughtful, community-centered perspective to local governance.
Today, as manager of community affairs and executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation, he continues to focus on building partnerships and strengthening communities while overseeing the company’s philanthropic efforts.
Andy speaks highly of his time at Ripon and the importance of Wisconsin’s private colleges.
“Ripon College and a liberal arts degree not only prepare you with an academic education, but also make you a well-rounded individual who is knowledgeable, skilled, and comfortable moving into a career in any field, even outside of your major,” he says. “A liberal arts education makes you ready for anything.”
