Tracey Kauppila

Hall of Honor Class of 2022

WMU Staff Member, College of Aviation Executive Assistant, WMU Make a Difference Award Winner 

Kauppila hired into Human Resources at WMU in 1995 as a compensation coordinator. In July of 2000, she went on to serve as executive assistant to Dr. Fred Dobney, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, until 2004. In February of that year, she accepted the executive assistant position to the dean of the WMU College of Aviation until her departure in February of 2022. In 2014, Kauppila received the WMU Make A Difference award for providing exceptional service to WMU and its students. In 2019, in appreciation of devotion and invaluable service, she was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the WMU Chapter of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. In that same year, she was also awarded the WMU Spirit Award for embodying the spirit, culture, drive and goals of WMU, as well as becoming a member of the WMU 25 Year Club. She served as a member of the HOH and EID Committee, the 10-Year and 75-Year Celebration Committee’s, and liaison to aviation RSO’s. In 2021, as a member of the College Building Committee, she coordinating the celebration for the completion of the $22M WMU Aviation Education Center project. Throughout her tenure at WMU, Kauppila had a proven record of excellence in providing executive level support and displayed her passion for working diligently to assist in achieving the mission, vision, and goals of the institution. Above and beyond these accomplishments, was her steadfast devotion to the students and alumnus of the WMU College of Aviation.