The Kalamazoo Promise Scholars Program at Western Michigan University consists of staff, student mentors, graduate student mentors, interns and a network of community members consistently advocating for student success. In addition to connecting students to resources and identifying and sharing professional development opportunities, staff also challenges institutional barriers that get in the way of student success. No student at WMU should feel like they are on this campus alone. We are here to help in whatever way we can.
Student Spaces
A few different student gathering space options are available in the Adrian Trimpe Building.
- 1311 Conference/Breakout Room: a student study room and conference room. This space can be reserved by students, faculty and staff for study group meetings or University-related business.
- Multicultural Center: student, faculty and staff can reserve this room for University-related events on campus. This is one of the few gathering spaces on campus that does not restrict event coordinators to only use WMU-based catering services.
- Our Space: a student lounge designed for students, by students as an equal access student resource center and lounge. All WMU students are welcome to use this space to gather, study, relax and be themselves.
- Reflection Room: one of a handful of quiet spaces on campus reserved for individual use for reflection, prayer, nursing parents and meditation.
Academic support
Staff and peer mentors provide one-on-one meetings with students to discuss progress toward degree, campus and community resources, and their overall experience at WMU.
We monitor academic progress to ensure students are on track for graduation.
Our Space is a student-centered, equal access environment that houses the Kalamazoo Promise Study Zone and is open to all WMU students. This gathering space is also home to the Diversity Educational Resource Collection which includes books, CDs, DVDs, and games.
We work to establish an Academic Network that brings students and instructors together to provide a comfortable environment to discuss ways to increase student success.
Leadership Development
Peer mentors receive extensive training to serve as mentors, tutors, and advocates for fellow students who are awarded the Kalamazoo Promise.
The Kalamazoo Promise Speakers Bureau invites current Kalamazoo Promise students enrolled at WMU to speak with middle school students enrolled in Kalamazoo Pubic Schools about their experience at WMU.
Global learning experiences are highly encouraged for our students. We work with WMU faculty and staff to develop unique opportunities for students to study abroad.
Community Outreach
The Resilience Project is a partnership between WMU and Friendship Village that pairs students with senior citizens for activities that highlight resilience in the lives of participants.
Bronco BUDS is a collaborative program between the University and Kalamazoo Public Schools to create a college-going culture by introducing sixth grade students to higher education.
The annual MLK Celebration is a series of coordinated events throughout the campus and Kalamazoo communities that engages participants in meaningful education, research,
and service initiatives.
Dual enrollment offers graduating seniors of Kalamazoo Public Schools the opportunity to take a college course. This First-Year Seminar is specifically designed for students who are awarded the Kalamazoo Promise.