The College Catalyst

Cultivating the next Generation of school psychologists with landmark grant

CEHD is expanding its impact on student mental health and educational support through a new school psychologist training program made possible by a $650,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Set to launch in fall 2027, the new educational specialist (EdS) degree will help address critical shortages of school psychologists across Michigan while preparing the next generation of practitioners to support students and schools statewide.

Designed with a flexible HyFlex model, the program will allow students to complete coursework in person or online while remaining connected to the communities they serve. By drawing on expertise across psychology, special education, behavior analysis and educational leadership, the program reflects WMU’s continued commitment to innovative, student-centered programming that responds directly to the evolving needs of schools and communities.

Bound for success: CEHD’s book sale raises money for Read and Write Kalamazoo

Books have the power to open doors, inspire imagination and strengthen communities. Through its annual Blind Date with a Book fundraiser, the College of Education and Human Development is helping support youth literacy initiatives while bringing the campus community together around a shared love of reading. This year’s event sold more than 500 books and raised more than $2,500 for Read and Write Kalamazoo, nearly tripling the previous year’s fundraising total. 

Led by students, faculty and staff as part of CEHD Cares Day, the fundraiser reflects the college’s ongoing commitment to service, literacy and community impact. Donated books were wrapped with only small clues about their themes and genres, creating a fun and engaging experience for readers while supporting programs that expand access to literacy resources for local youth. Through initiatives like this, CEHD continues to create meaningful opportunities for students to connect learning with service and make a lasting impact beyond campus.

Sustainability took center stage at Western Michigan University’s annual MODA spring fashion show as fashion design student Dagny Gulledge transformed everyday materials and natural dyes into a calming sleepwear collection inspired by matcha tea. Her line, “Matcha Slumbers,” blended eco-conscious design with soft green tones and relaxed silhouettes, creating garments that reflected both creativity and environmental mindfulness. Inspired by the peaceful feeling of slow mornings and the rituals surrounding matcha tea, Gulledge designed the collection to evoke comfort, restfulness and joy.

Using upcycled fabrics sourced from childhood bed sheets, shower curtains and other repurposed materials, Gulledge embraced sustainable fashion practices throughout the design process. She naturally dyed her cotton and silk fabrics using matcha tea, carefully soaking each piece overnight to achieve the collection’s signature earthy green hues. To deepen the color, she used aluminum silicate and water in the dyeing process, combining experimentation with traditional techniques. The collection also incorporated elements inspired by Eastern fashion, including high collars, wide sleeves and asymmetric silhouettes, honoring matcha’s cultural roots while showcasing Gulledge’s thoughtful approach to sustainable design.