Electrical engineering student comes full circle via Innovation Expo
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University is built up of iconic spaces. From its state-of-the-art Student Center, which opened in 2023, to its recently unveiled pedestrian green space, all students find different corners of the University to call home.
First year electrical engineering student McKenna Bowerman knew where her corner of campus was before she had even graduated from high school—Floyd Hall, home to the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
“The space felt modern, creative, and hands-on, which matched the kind of environment I wanted to learn in,” says Bowerman. “It made me feel excited about the opportunities and experiences I could have here, and it played a big role in my decision to choose WMU.”
Bowerman was in Floyd Hall as a high school student for Innovation Expo, an annual event hosted by the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences for K-12 students to present products, models and projects to a panel of judges and the community. It was this event that informed Bowerman of what her future as an engineer could be.
“My experience with Innovation Expo was exciting and eye-opening,” says Bowerman. “It gave me the chance to explore ideas I’m passionate about and see them come to life in a real project.”
As an attendee, Bowerman learned to design engineering project ideas, pitch her projects and take constructive criticism from industry and community judges. Her projects included the “Helping Hand,” a sanitary work surface for diabetics that allows them to inject insulin as needed without worries of infection from a bacteria-filled environment, such as public restrooms. She also created “Light the Way,” a solar-powered fire hydrant pole attachment with LED lights to enhance visibility, allowing firefighters to swiftly locate hydrants in high-stress situations.
Now, as a Western student, Bowerman had the opportunity to return to her Innovation Expo roots—but this time as a judge for the 2025 event, held on Dec. 5, where over 350 students competed for prizes and put forward their brightest ideas.
“As a woman in a male-dominated field, the Innovation Expo means a great deal to me,” says Bowerman. “It’s a place where my ideas are taken seriously and where I could challenge myself alongside talented peers.”
Beyond Innovation Expo, Bowerman also credits her preparation for WMU to the Branch Area Career Center. She participated in On-the-Job Training program, which placed her at the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities. Eventually, she was offered a summer position as an engineering assistant, designed to help the city’s line workers efficiently repair damaged electrical infrastructure.
“This experience also gave me the opportunity to tour the city’s water, wastewater and electric facilities, including substations, a solar field, fuel gas-battery cells, and natural gas generators,” says Bowerman. “I plan to use this hands-on experience, along with my education, to design and implement environmentally sustainable solar fields and wind farms to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”
Since arriving at Western, Bowerman has enjoyed everything that being a Bronco has to offer: her favorite campus activity thus far has been attending hockey games as a Lawson Lunatic. Her other favorite experience was Family Weekend.
“It was so fun being able to bring my family to campus and show them around with more familiarity,” says Bowerman. “Connecting on a deeper level with a family member who is a WMU alumni was great.”
To learn more about Innovation Expo, visit its webpage.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.