From Engineer to Entrepreneur: How Talal Arshad turned global ambitions into a thriving local business

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – For Bronco alumnus Talal Arshad, community and coffee go hand-in-hand. Arshad first came to Kalamazoo from Pakistan to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering at Western Michigan University (WMU). 

He arrived with a clear academic goal, but over the years found something he hadn't expected: a community that would become a lasting part of his life. He opened Shibam Coffee Company on West Michigan Avenue in December 2025 and hasn't looked back since.

“WMU was one of the very few schools that offered the program I was looking for,” says Arshad. “Seeing the beautiful campus, having heard about the diversity of Kalamazoo and then getting to know the community made it clear for me that this is the place where I can spend the rest of my school life.”

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Arshad continued at WMU to earn his Master of Science in the field. Along the way, he gained professional experience as a graduate assistant at Haworth College of Business while becoming increasingly involved in campus life.

Finding Community at WMU

For Arshad, the sense of belonging extended beyond the classroom. He appreciated the cultural awareness and inclusion he found across campus, including resources that supported his faith. “Personally, being a Muslim myself, having so many prayer and reflection rooms on campus and options for Halal food was definitely a big plus for me,” he says.

He also connected with like-minded peers and built community around shared interests by joining registered student organizations. During his time at WMU, Arshad served as president of both the Pakistani Student Association and Muslim Students Association and participated in large-scale campus events such as International Festival. 

His involvement also included Sunseeker Solar Car, Western Student Association and Graduate Student Association, all experiences that helped him build connections that became part of his broader experience in Kalamazoo. 

From Community to Coffee

After spending more than a decade in Kalamazoo, Arshad wanted to create a space that reflected the community he had come to call home.

He envisioned a place where people could find comfort early in the morning or late at night. At the center of it all is something almost everyone shares: coffee, he says. “One thing that everyone enjoys—no matter who you are or what your background is."

Conveniently located just off main campus, Shibam Coffee in Campus Pointe Plaza serves authentic Yemeni coffee and baked goods while offering Broncos a welcoming place to connect with the broader Kalamazoo community. 

Arshad takes pride in seeing local residents support the business and the team behind it, many of whom have connections to WMU. 

The business represents more than a new venture, he says. It is an opportunity to give back.

"WMU offers a wide range of opportunities to anyone who is willing to utilize them,” says Arshad. “For someone who started off as an international student myself, it's definitely a place where you just have to find your passion and pursue it. Go Broncos!"

Explore Programs and Apply Today

Ready to become a Bronco? Apply to WMU as an international student: wmich.edu/international/apply.

For more information about WMU’s Aerospace Engineering program, contact the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.