The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education helps to create and sustain an environment which facilitates the global engagement of Western Michigan University. The Haenicke Institute serves as one of the primary drivers of global engagement, housing the following units:
- CELCIS: Center for English Language and Culture for International Students—provides instruction in English as a second language for non-native speakers who will use English to study at an American college or university or in their workplaces.
- Center for African Development Policy Research—fosters academic research by promoting collaboration between faculty and students from various WMU colleges and departments with an interest in Africa.
- Confucius Institute at WMU—a non-profit organization that provides Chinese language and cultural studies for WMU students and faculty as well as regional k-12 schools and local businesses.
- Faculty Development and Global Programs—global programs and development opportunities for faculty.
- Fulbright for students and faculty—resources and support from a Fulbright Program Advisor (FPA) for prospective and current Fulbright recipients.
- Immigration Compliance—comprehensive immigration advising and services to WMU international academic students, visiting scholars, foreign-national faculty and staff, and their WMU hosting or sponsoring departments.
- International Admissions and Services—recruits and facilitates the admission and enrollment of students from around the world who would like to obtain an education at Western Michigan University.
- International Student Activities—facilitates regular and ongoing international activities on campus, such as an International Festival and a week-long celebration of International Education Week.
- Soga Japan Center—an interdisciplinary unit designed to promote knowledge of Japan to the WMU community, the city of Kalamazoo and all of southwestern Michigan.
- Study Abroad—creates and facilitates study abroad opportunities for WMU students.
- Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies—enhances the work of faculty and graduate researchers at Western Michigan University who have expertise in some field of Sinology, or teaching or research interests in China.