Featured Graduates
Congratulations to our graduates! Go Broncos!
Class of Spring 2022
Isabel Barajas
Hometown: Holland, Mich.
Major: finance
Major: general business
Graduation semester and year: spring 2022
A little about myself: My name is Isabel Barajas. I was born and raised in Holland, MI, where I am lucky enough to visit beaches and explore multiple trails. My hobbies include hammocking, hiking, sudoku, and card games. During college, I was fortunate enough to be on the E-board for the Latino Student Alliance, be a voting member as the Western Student Association representative, and study abroad in Queretaro, Mexico. After graduation, I will be continuing my internship at Greenleaf Trust for a rotation in the Retirement Plan Division.
Motto: The pain you feel today is the strength you will feel tomorrow.
Kamania Chambers
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Major: exercise science
Major: criminal justice studies
Graduation semester and year: spring 2022
A little about myself: I've always loved to live on the edge, enjoy life while always taking care of business. Always keep a smile on my face. I love to enjoy my time with friends and family who bring positive energy around and love to laugh.
Motto: My motto for life is to always enjoy life and laugh.
Shontiana Jackson
Hometown: Grand Rapids, Mich.
Major: human resource management
Minors: general business
Graduation semester and year: spring 2022
A little about myself: l love scary movies, my Nintendo Switch, and HR! And luckily, I've received an amazing job offer and will be moving to Nashville, Tennessee, at the beginning of May to begin my career in HR.
Motto: Breathe in courage, breathe out fear.
Class of Fall 2021
Carlos De La Rosa
Hometown: Fennville, Mich.
Major: civil engineering
Major: mathematics
Graduation semester and year: fall 2021
A little about myself: Beyond happy to be a first-gen graduate. Thank you Multicultural Affairs for Students for the continuous support throughout my four years of college.
Kierra Kelly
Hometown: Rochester Hills, Mich.
Major: crimimal justice
Minors: legal studies and family science
Graduation semester and year: fall 2021
A little about myself: During my time at WMU, I spent a lot of time involved in leadership. I’ve held several executive board positions with the Black Student Union and the Black Criminal Justice Association. I’ve dedicated my time to working with the community's youth through my work with the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home as a youth specialist along with years of volunteering. Since graduating, I have secured a position with Bethany Christian Services and will continue my fight for at risk youth as a foster care case manager.
Mariah Jade Villarreal
Hometown: Newaygo, Mich.
Major: occupational therapy
Graduation semester and year: fall 2021
A little about myself: I am a first-generation college student. Coming into WMU, I was unsure of what I wanted to do with my life. As I continued to take classes at Western, I started learning about myself then quickly realized that occupational therapy was my calling! Thanks to my MLK academy leader Craig, who helped me navigate college my freshman year. If it wasn’t the MLK academy leaders I’m not sure I would be a Bronco grad. GO BRONCOS!
Class of Spring 2021
Bryean George
Hometown: Southfield, Mich.
Major: general psychology
Minor: integrative holistic health care
Graduation semester and year: spring 2021
A little about myself: I’m 21 years old, and I was born and raised in Detroit, Mich. Something interesting about me or something everyone thinks is interesting is that I am left-handed, and I am the only one who is in my family. I enjoy hanging out with friends, taking time for self-care, going to the movies, and being adventurous. I enjoy traveling as well, and just anything fun to enjoy life.
Jeannie Kapp
Hometown: Williamston, Mich.
Major: child and family development
Minor: psychology
Graduation semester and year: spring 2021
A little about myself: I grew up in a small town and I am a big family person. I am the youngest in my family and have two sisters. I like playing soccer and cooking.
Samantha Trim
Hometown: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Major: interpersonal communication
Minors: global and international studies, gender and women's studies
Graduation semester and year: spring 2021
Taylor West
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Major: social work
Minor: interdisciplinary legal studies
Graduation semester and year: spring 2021
A little about myself: Taylor West is a graduating senior and presidential scholar representative for the School of Social Work. With her degree, Taylor plans to continue her journey to get her Master of Social Work and then attend law school where she can use both of her MSW and JD degrees to help make our U.S. justice system a little more about justice. With her passion to become a Federal Court Judge, Taylor has used her time at WMU to maximize networking efforts while advocating and negotiating for a predominately White institution to be a champion in dismantling systemic racism at WMU. In her time as student body president, Taylor has deepened her love for service and leadership. In the constant battle for social and racial justice, Taylor has used her platform to launch a Student Led Social Justice Fund project to help raise WMU’s graduation and retention rates while eliminating educational disparities for Black and Brown students. Taylor hopes to use all that she’s learned from her time in undergrad to tackle the judiciary as an aspiring attorney and judge. WMU has been the place for her to transform and blossom into the trailblazing leader she is, setting new paths for other female leaders of color to move mountains.
