August 2021 WMU News

Redesigned WMU Signature program focuses on unique student experiences

A program focused on helping Western Michigan University students stand out to employers is getting a redesign. WMU Signature is streamlining its process, based on student feedback, to better highlight purpose-driven projects and encourage more students to participate.

Western schedules back-to-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinics

The health center will host a return-to-campus COVID-19 vaccination clinic for students and employees of WMU. No appointment is needed for this Pfizer dose No. 1 vaccination event offered as a drive thru or walk up from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug 30, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Western students gain leadership experience at ROTC camp

WMU ROTC cadets joined officers from the Michigan National Guard for a three-day summer leadership camp on Western's campus and at Fort Custer Training Center. The cadre—which included incoming ROTC juniors and one sophomore who will take a lead role in next year's camp—led 30 students from high schools and colleges in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana through marching and drilling exercises, tactics training, orienteering, rappelling, and confidence and leadership reaction courses.

Brewpub on tap for Western's new student center

Big things are brewing as Western Michigan University's new student center moves closer to the finish line. Among its many innovative upgrades, visitors will enjoy a new brewpub when it opens in late summer 2022—one of the first in a campus student center in Michigan.

Big data and the future of diagnosing mental disorders

What if testing for Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were as simple as running a test for diabetes or heart disease? For Dr. Alvis Fong,  associate professor of computer science, the future of diagnosing mental disorders looks closer to how we test for diseases than it does to the current model of behavioral observation.

Fueled by resilience, social work student advocates support through mentorship

Maliek Hargrave experienced homelessness and food insecurity as a child, but a visit from a social worker opened his eyes to a career where he could help other children in similar circumstances thrive. The incoming Seita Scholar is excited to connect the dots between passion and purpose as he pursues a degree in social work at Western.