January 2026 Newsletter

Tanya Thompson, B.B.A.'15, MBA'20, earned her degrees from WMU Haworth while raising two daughters and building The Aroma Labs, a custom fragrance experience company. Recently named a top Women-owned Small Business of the Year by the Michigan Small Business Administration, The Aroma Labs now operates seven locations across the Midwest. Thompson credits WMU Haworth faculty for teaching negotiation skills, strategic frameworks and operational insights that shaped her expansion strategy. Both daughters are current WMU students and her husband works on campus as a project manager.

WMU Haworth's food marketing program received the 2025 Progressive Grocer Impact Award for Educational Support and Learning Advancement, marking the second consecutive year earning this recognition. WMU is the first and only university to win this award. Led by Dr. Russell Zwanka, the program prepares students through hands-on learning with industry partners. According to the Career Outcomes Report, 100% of food marketing graduates are satisfied with their jobs, had instructors who made them excited about learning and participated in Experience-Driven Learning while earning their degree.