Education alum and teacher selected as state finalist for Presidential Award
Janice Kato was announced a state finalist for the 2024 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching by the Michigan Department of Education on May 9.
Education and human development alumni recognized as top teachers of Jackson
Published in Jackson Magazine's May 2024 edition, teachers on this list demonstrate commitment, connection and caring of their students.
Graduate student ready for new career in organizational change leadership
Sarah Eggerstedt will be joining a team to develop training programs for the University of Michigan's Information and Technology Services. The programs will teach employees about the transformative powers of organizational change within a department.
Nutrition and dietetics student receives award for excelling in internship with VA
Derek Fisher received the Outstanding Student Award by demonstrating academic achievement, leadership and professional potential at his internship with the Battle Creek Veterans Affair Medical Center. He was honored at the Michigan Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' annual conference.
Ethical labor, sustainable supply chain among topics tackled in second Bronco Challenge
Team Full Disclosure, which conceptualized an innovative data collection reporting tool designed to incentivize businesses to integrate ethical labor practices into their international supply chains, won the top prize in the 2024 Bronco Challenge for Sustainable Impact.
Nutrition and dietetics program celebrates Michigan's new licensure law
Students in WMU's nutrition and dietetics program will now be able to be licensed as a medical professional in the State of Michigan.
Education students mingle with reptiles during visit from alligator sanctuary
Students studying elementary education got a surprise visit from the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary during class. They had the opportunity to meet the sanctuary's different reptiles.
Assistant professor analyzes the experiences of Black doctoral students in counselor education programs
Through intensive interviews with past and current Black doctoral students, Western's Dr. Olivia Ngadjui examines how they navigate through counselor education programs at predominantly white institutions.
The Evaluation Center announces launch of innovative e-learning courses on program evaluation
Created by Drs. Lori Wingate and Kelly Robertson, Valeo is a new way for people to engage in practical e-learning about program evaluation.
Western's graduate public affairs program rises in U.S. News and World Report rankings
Western Michigan University's School of Public Affairs and Administration continues its upward trajectory in the prestigious U.S. News and World Report rankings. In the 2024 ranking of Best Public Affairs Graduate Programs recently released, Western is tied for No. 135, a rise of 12 ranking positions from the year prior.
Bolstered by impactful experiences, 94% of recent Western grads securing jobs, furthering education
A new report finds Western Michigan University graduates are landing jobs and pursuing further education at increasingly high rates: 94% of recent alumni are working or continuing their education quickly after graduation—and 74% of graduates between August 2022 and June 2023 chose to stay in Michigan.
Impactful experiences empower theatre grad to script ambitious future
Jimmie Comer III came to Western to develop as an actor, but he's leaving with a broader foundation in leadership and community-building that will give him an edge as he works toward his dream of owning a theatre and production studio.
College of Arts and Sciences faculty and staff recognized for achievements
Western Michigan University’s College of Arts and Sciences is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023-24 Arts and Sciences Faculty and Staff Achievement Awards. Recipients were honored during a ceremony on April 12.
WMU students, faculty take top awards at engineering education conference
Western students and faculty earned awards at the American Society for Engineering and Education’s 2024 North Central Section Conference, including first place for Best Student Paper and Best Professional Paper and third place for Best Student Poster.
From Middle East to Midwest, aviation management student thrives through new opportunities
Varsha Sundareswaran, an international student from Bahrain, is flying high after landing a maintenance record internship with Duncan Aviation, where she'll continue building on the industry knowledge she racked up at Western.
Eight Western instructors awarded grants to adopt Open Educational Resources
The University Libraries awarded eight Open Educational Resources Adoption Grants to Western instructors in April. The grants are anticipated to save over 1,240 students in 11 courses an estimated $100,000 in textbook costs based on projected course enrollment.
Counseling alum writes her trauma and journey to heal with memoir
Demarra West, M.A.'10, details her early childhood trauma in memoir, "Me Too: A Therapist's Journey to Heal, Find Liberation, & Joy." The book also provides a roadmap to help other trauma survivors.
Mentorship, leadership opportunities open world of possibility for education graduate
Breyana Wilson was inspired by role models she found at Western to pursue her passion for education and mentorship as a Kalamazoo Promise pathway coach after graduation.
University Libraries awards three scholarships to student employees
The University Libraries awarded three scholarships to student employees for their outstanding contributions to the Libraries— Braedon Gatz, Iskandar Kholmatov and Jithendran (Jithu) Senthilkumar.
College storyteller and marketer lauded for his impact, honored with staff semi-annual award
Chris Hybels has been named recipient of the 2024 College of Education and Human Development Spring Staff Semi-Annual Award. This high-achieving award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and make outstanding contributions in support of faculty, staff, students, administrators and all those served by CEHD.
Logan Burgos: hitting a homerun in sports marketing
Senior Logan Burgos is taking his classroom learning onto the field—and the ice. Internships with the Battle Creek Battle Jacks and a spring break stint with the NHL Florida Panthers, are immersing him in the world of game presentation and giving him a glimpse of his dream career post graduation.
WMU student receives $10,000 fellowship
Sergei Akhmatdinov, B.S.E.’23, has been named a Tau Beta Pi Fellow, earning a $10,000 stipend for graduate studies in engineering.
WMU Board of Trustees to meet in formal session Thursday, April 25
Individuals wishing to address the board during the meeting’s public comment sections must email Dr. Kahler Schuemann by 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 24.
Choosing a business minor helps aviation student’s career take flight
Shaun Orlikowski paired his aviation management and operations major with a general business minor, and he is ready to jet off to a successful future when he graduates in fall 2024. He encourages other students to consider a business minor, due to both the versatility and customization that business minors provide in aligning education and career goals.
WMU to host Science Olympiad statewide competition
Nearly 2,000 students in grades 6-12 who were the top winners from each of Michigan's regional events will descend on WMU’s campus for the event.
Propellers, Power-plants, and Passion: Mason Mihelich Pursues a Career in Aviation Maintenance
Taking a trip up into the clouds as a senior in high school was more than just a joy ride for Mason Mihelich. It pointed the sophomore from Elgin, Ill., toward Western Michigan University and charted a career path in aviation technical operations. He's already more than just taking classes and "networking." He's hands-on involved, thanks to an internship at Kalitta Air's air-cargo operations at O'Hare in Chicago where he has been a "mechanic's helper" working on Boeing 747s and 777s.
Teacher education students awarded inaugural innovation research fellowship
Three teacher education students were chosen for the Dr. Donald E. Thompson Innovation Research Fellowship. This fellowship provides a year of tuition to promising creative thinkers who will develop research to improve K-12 education.
Brandon Owen has found where he belongs
Brandon Owen, a junior supply chain management student, has explored his many opportunities at WMU Haworth to find where he fits. Using his CliftonStrengths to guide him, Owen is following a path of academic and professional development.
New program teaches business students how to ask valuable questions
The Haworth College of Business has created a comprehensive program to help students become skilled at asking valuable questions. The FRAME™ methodology teaches students to ask questions that are focused, relevant, assertive, mindful and eloquent (FRAME™), which fosters the confidence to be a great team member in the classroom and beyond.
Western welcomes medieval scholars to ‘heart of campus’ for 2024 International Congress
This year, the physical footprint of the Congress includes the WMU Student Center and Sangren Hall, as well as Waldo Library and Kanley Chapel.