Dedicated support in all dimensions
Navigators
Paid internships
Well-being
From start to finish
Western has extensive student support resources, but for many Broncos, knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. Supported by the Empowering Futures Gift, the Navigator Program includes a network of professionals and students to provide proactive, individualized support across your academic and well-being needs.
Student Success Navigators begin their work long before a new Bronco steps foot on campus. Connecting in the summer, navigators will provide individualized support to students—but that's just the beginning. This support continues even after your questions are answered; our navigators check in and guide you through your college experience.
This network of support also includes additional professional navigators with specialized knowledge in multicultural, well-being and financial aid services.
While this support is available to all undergraduate students, the Navigator Network initially focuses on those who are first-generation college students, Pell-eligible and from historically marginalized communities.
Worth the work
Western is dedicated to providing meaningful, resume-worthy experience for WMU students, extending learning that begins in the classroom. The Broncos Lead Internship Program provides support for Broncos exploring their career options, including wages for work completed at internships in a network of businesses and companies.
All Western sophomore to senior students in good academic standing are eligible to apply for an internship that is funded at approximately $17.50/hour for 20 hours per week during a 12-week period. The University supports up to 150 of these internships throughout the academic year.
Western promotes wide access to the program with emphasis on students who might not otherwise be able to take on an internship: first-generation college students and historically marginalized populations.
Resume-worthy experience
A quality education is a vital start for students to become career-ready, and experiential learning provides students a leg up in securing their first job and helps them thrive in post-graduate life. Unpaid internships create a financial barrier for some students. The Empowering Futures Gift is lowering that barrier by enabling students to secure resume-worthy, network-building experience while receiving the funds to continue their education.
Internships provide an invaluable opportunity for students to put their knowledge to the test and find their true purpose. The 2020-21 WMU Post-graduation Activity Report finds recent graduates who completed an internship were three times as likely to have a job related to their degree. They were also twice as likely to be satisfied with their job compared with their peers who did not have an internship.
Career and Student Employment Services will shepherd the Broncos Lead Internship Program utilizing two new support staff who will guide students on career preparation, assess their progress and provide day-to-day support as well as cultivate a network of 40-50 host organizations.
All WMU sophomore to senior students in good academic standing are eligible to apply for an internship that is funded at approximately $17.50/hour for 20 hours per week during a 12-week period. Western will work to promote wide access to the program with emphasis on high-need students who might not otherwise be able to take on an internship: first-generation college students and historically marginalized populations. The University originally supported 100 of these internships in the 2022-23 academic year, and now it supports 150 internships each academic year.
Participation in the program is need-based for employers but not for students. The program will provide support to West Michigan organizations, specifically small businesses, nonprofits and start-ups that cannot otherwise support paid internships. All participating host organizations must have a designated mentor for the student and commit to a meaningful experience.
The combination of student and organizational support in the Broncos Lead Internship Program should provide a robust program that contributes significantly to both student success and community vitality. By gaining direct, paid, on-the-job experience while building their skillset and professional network, students who successfully complete the program will be ready to pursue their purpose, enter their chosen field and contribute to the workforce and the larger community.
The whole student
At Western, we think about students as whole people with physical, mental, emotional and social health needs. The University strives to meet these needs during their entire college career in a way that helps them grow strong and prepare for a strong quality of life. That's why we're developing a comprehensive well-being experience where all students can thrive and grow strong.
As an enhancement to current services and further supported by the Empowering Futures Gift, a peer health education program allows Broncos to help other Broncos with all aspects of their well-being, including:
- Mental health
- Social wellness
- Belonging
- Substance abuse issues
- Spiritual wellness
- Purpose
Additionally, access to Uwill provides 24/7 year-round mental health support for all students at no cost. The program meets students where they are, allowing them to access support that is tailored to their unique needs and preferences. Explore Uwill
Western's 8 dimensions of well-being
At Western, we offer a holistic experience where we think about students as whole people preparing for a quality life and a meaningful career. We are focused on helping our students meet their academic, career and well-being goals. The Empowering Futures Gift is enabling us to advance our efforts as we aim to strengthen this critical component of the Western experience.
We have strengths to build on: 60% of Western students feel that their health and well-being is a priority at Western and 66% of students indicate that health is a priority for them. We want to grow those numbers substantially.
One of four pillars of the Empowering Futures Gift is enhanced student well-being with new support for student mental health and healthy lifestyles. In support of that pillar, our Wellness Executive Team of experts are developing a comprehensive approach based on eight dimensions of well-being and social determinants of health.
An integrated model with impact
Developing an experience where all students can thrive and grow strong requires an integrated, comprehensive approach. For example, we have evidence that interventions beyond counseling can have a tremendous impact on mental health. The top three benefits cited by students who use the Student Recreation Center are more energy, less stress and greater self-esteem—clear evidence of what many studies have demonstrated for years: physical health strengthens mental health. As another example, education and training can play a crucial role in creating a culture of belonging. Eighty-eight percent of first year students who completed Health Promotion and Education training felt they were better equipped to help a friend who is struggling.
As currently proposed, peer educators will help Broncos build their skills and provide widespread opportunities for students, faculty and staff to learn how to help students in distress and connect them to support resources and also build skills in self-care, resiliency and social connectedness.
We are also considering a new wellness coaching system at no cost to students that offers in-person and telehealth options. Students will work with a wellness coach to assess and build a personalized action plan around the WMU Well-being Wheel.
Content last updated Nov. 18, 2024, and is subject to change without notice.