Chemical and paper engineering student finds success inside and outside the classroom

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Chemical and paper engineering student Emma Perrin has packed her time at Western Michigan University full of experience-driven learning both inside and outside the classroom. With the support of her classmates and professors she’s left just as much of an impact on WMU as it has on her while pursuing both majors.

“The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences has provided me with academic opportunities that I would not have had at other schools,” says Perrin, who is graduating this spring and was named a 2025 Presidential Scholar. “The paper engineering program also has an amazing group of staff and a lot of industry support.”

As the vice president of Tau Beta Pi and a member of both TAPPI Ts’ai Lun and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society, Perrin has thrived at WMU, giving her the confidence to enter the workforce post-graduation.

“Tau Beta Pi has given me the opportunity to practice my leadership skills, which is important to me. In my career. I would like to go into management so I can make the paper mill a great work environment and serve my team,” says Perrin. “Ts’ai Lun has connected me with a wonderful group of paper engineering students and given me support in starting my career.”

Perrin is also a Medallion Scholar, Western’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship for undergraduates. Through this program, she has positively impacted the Kalamazoo community through a variety of sustainability efforts.

“The Medallion Scholarship has been an incredible experience that not only has allowed me to graduate college debt-free but has enabled me to give back to the community. My cohort and I worked tirelessly to increase sustainability on campus,” says Perrin. “One of my most memorable experiences was digging through trash at WMU basketball games to categorize waste so we could make the events waste free.”

Perrin hopes to maintain this passion for sustainability throughout her career in paper engineering.

“Sustainability is really important to me, and I wanted to work in a career that upheld it,” explains Perrin. “Paper engineering is the perfect industry because the process is sustainable, and we need engineers to design packaging to replace plastic.”

The internships Perrin held during her time at Western also were invaluable. The first was a technical co-op with Ahlstrom in Rhinelander, Wisc., and the second was with Billerud in Escanaba, Mich., where she found her passion for process engineering.

“In both internships, I had incredible mentors who helped me grow as an engineer,” says Perrin. “Because of them, I have nearly two years of industry experience before I start my full-time job with Domtar as a chemical engineer this summer.” 

While excelling academically, Perrin also has made time for extracurricular activities as a former feature twirler for the Bronco Marching Band. This highly competitive position is led by Color Guard and Twirler Coordinator Kyle Keiser.

“Kyle is a world-renowned twirler and coach, and it was a privilege to learn not only twirling, but also about life from her,” says Perrin. “The Bronco Marching Band will always have a special place in my heart.”

As much as attending Western has impacted Perrin, it is clear she has also made her mark on WMU. In October 2024, Perrin was selected as Homecoming Court royalty.

“It was a true honor that my peers voted for me,” says Perrin. “One of my favorite parts of WMU is the people, so it means a lot to me that people thought of me like that.”

This title isn’t only about crowns. Perrin hopes to continue to demonstrate her support for Western and inspire others to achieve their goals.

“Through this role, I’m hoping to express my love of the University for future Broncos and celebrate the college experience for current Broncos,” says Perrin. “Hopefully, I can also demonstrate that anyone can become an engineer, and that people should not be afraid to pursue their dreams, no matter how daunting they may seem.”

With experience-driven learning from registered student organizations, internships, co-curricular activities and more all supplementing her coursework, Perrin fondly looks back on her time at WMU.

“Western Michigan University is a special school that has many special people,” says Perrin. “If I had to go through the past five years again, I would absolutely choose WMU.”

Follow Perrin’s career on LinkedIn.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.