Graduate College selects duo to be 2015 fellows

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Two faculty members have been selected to be Graduate College Faculty Fellows at Western Michigan University for 2015.

Dr. Julie Apker, associate professor of communication, will continue filling one of the two available slots while the other will be filled by Dr. Christine Browning, professor of mathematics.

Now in its third year, the fellows program gives WMU faculty members an opportunity to develop as leaders on campus while making significant contributions to graduate education.

Fellowship activities

Apker will spend her 2015 fellowship focusing on student as well as faculty engagement and success. She will be working on training opportunities for new mentors and graduate directors.

During the past year, she was instrumental in helping the Graduate College develop an online orientation for students and organizing professional and personal development programming for them.

Browning will spend her fellowship time focusing on data collection, environmental scanning and benchmarking peer institutions.

The data collection will aid the Graduate College's efforts in marketing and communicating innovations and achievements and in recruiting and retaining a student body that reflects societal diversity.