Western Michigan University is putting students in control of their lives and future. Sixty percent of students feel anxious about the future and yearn for control over their lives. Western is responding with a first-of-its-kind effort for any Michigan public university, launching a new platform to meet students where they are and offer them tools to maximize their college experience. Focused on well-being—emotional and physical, career and academic—YOU at Western gives students the tools they need to craft their own success story.

The Make a Difference Awards committee has announced the spring 2020 recipients and is seeking nomination materials as it determines which four candidates will receive the annual honors.

Smart is the percussive pursuit of purpose that drums the beat for others to march to. It's digging deep when you feel lost and finding strength in your own story.

Smart is putting passion over a paycheck to pursue a higher goal, seeing challenges as opportunities rather than roadblocks.

Smart is identifying a need, figuring out how to fill it yourself and then turning it into a burgeoning business—while still balancing school and a full-time job.

The state funds will help survey members with their continued work in the state—expanding geological mapping—to better understand resources like water, natural gas and aggregates that are available in Michigan, in order to protect the resources and more efficiently utilize them.

The Office of Military and Veterans Affairs announced Russell Pliley, an Air Force veteran and second-year geographic information science student, will receive a $1,000 Operation Hat Trick Military Scholarship.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented and abrupt interruption of physical and traditional social interaction for many people around the globe. New research by a team at Western Michigan University shines a light on how that social isolation impacts mental health among Americans and uncovers potential mitigation strategies as this "new-normal" stretches on.

Western Michigan University and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School will end their affiliation as of November 2023, at which time the law school will no longer bear the WMU name.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has found the faculty at the School of Music continuing to contribute prolifically to the betterment of the arts and community. In a survey of faculty members in the unit, nearly 40 creative projects had been completed including music compositions written and performed, albums recorded and released, lectures and clinics presented, scholarly papers published and book deals secured, in-person camps pivoted and held virtually, concerts presented, and many collaborations planned. 

WMU human resource management students Sarah Reynolds and Henry Thiry have received the national, merit-based $2,500 SHRM Foundation Undergraduate Academic Scholarship, which recognizes accomplishments, scholastic ability and leadership potential.

WMU's sales and business marketing program has once again been named a top national program by the Sales Education Foundation.

The WMU Board of Trustees will meet in formal session at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the Bernhard Center's North Ballroom. A livestream of the meeting will be accessible at wmich.edu/trustees.

After a busy and divisive election season, election fatigue and anxiety are real. Western Michigan University's Student Recreation Center invites the Bronco community to relieve stress and take a break from the campaign texts and calls in a healthy way. The SRC is waiving access fees Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 4, for all current WMU students and employees who bring their Bronco Card and complete the University's COVID-19 screening survey.

A $4.9 million U.S. Department of Education grant will spearhead the Urban Teacher Residency Program at WMU. The product of nearly two years of planning, this program will pay for candidates within the districts—like paraprofessionals, bus drivers, food service staff and custodians—to earn their teacher certification while they work, mitigating some of the barriers that impede qualified candidates from pursuing a career.

Dr. Selena Protacio received a COVID-19 Response Grant through WMU's Office of Research and Innovation to fund a design-based research study focused on bridging the technology gap between English learners in rural areas and their teachers by utilizing voice recorders to deliver lessons.

WMU’s strategy includes a modified academic calendar, a diverse mix of course types that includes in-person, experiential learning and physically distanced classroom environments.

Tekna, a global product development firm founded by a WMU alum, partnered with the University to pilot new technology that uses UVC light to disinfect personal items and equipment. It's an added layer of protection as Western works to mitigate spread of COVID-19.

Learn about WMU's closure policy and tips on staying safe in the cold.

A recent Active Minds survey found 89% of college students are experiencing stress or anxiety as a result of COVID-19, and a quarter of students surveyed say their depression has significantly increased. But there is a silver lining: Two-thirds of students report an increase in supporting others with their mental wellness. It's a mission X-Hale, a Registered Student Organization established to help break down stigmas surrounding mental health among students and encourage healthy behaviors, is helping to move forward.

A week ahead of Election Day, WeVote is making one last push to get Western Michigan University students equipped and excited to vote. The nonpartisan group, which focuses on encouraging civic engagement on campus, will be joined by Michigan Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist for a panel discussion among student leaders. The virtual event, scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27, will encourage students to make their voices heard by voting.

Mental Health Week at WMU runs Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 23. It features a variety of events to highlight wellness resources the campus community can utilize. In addition to events, all week long the University will be sharing tips to help students take care of their mental well-being using the hashtag #BeWellBroncos on various social media platforms.

Drs. Matthew Mingus and Kevin Corder, along with graduate student Daria Blinova, compiled data to examine the factors that led governors of all 50 states to enact orders meant to restrict movement and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The new $1.5 million state appropriation will allow WMU's Unified Clinics  to add new services, like trauma assessments and treatment for parents and for those with substance use disorders, as well as resiliency-based interventions for families and sensory processing therapy for children.

The COVID-19 Student Coalition aims to keep the student population educated about proper mitigation strategies to reduce spread of the new coronavirus. The group is wielding their peer influence to encourage safe behaviors on campus and connect students to health and safety resources. 

The route reductions are necessary to provide safe and consistent service to the community, according to Metro.