July 2026 WMU News

2025 grad makes Off-Broadway debut in 'Heathers,' with a fellow Bronco in her corner

WMU alumna Aniya Thompson makes her Off-Broadway debut in 'Heathers the Musical,' with fellow Bronco and associate choreographer Brian Martin in her corner.

WMU professor collaborates on breakthrough technology featured in Science

WMU’s Dr. Mert Atilhan co-developed a new catalyst poised to transform waste into clean energy.

A decade later, ESL alumna builds a global engineering career

Ten years after learning English at Western Michigan University’s Center for English Language and Culture for International Students, Momoka Ichikawa has returned to southwest Michigan as part of a Denso employee training program, using the language skills she gained at WMU to support a global engineering career.

A welcome from the new senior director of International Student and Scholar Services

Amber Li, the new senior director of International Student and Scholar Services at Western Michigan University, introduces herself to the international student community. 

No Aviation Legacy, No Problem: Joe Zynda’s WMU Journey to Envoy Air and Beyond

With no aviation legacy or lineage to bank on, Joe Zynda believed he needed all the support he could get at Western Michigan University in order to successfully advance his career dreams.  And he got it -- in spades.  Now a first officer at one of the larger regional airlines in the United States, the 2023 graduate of the WMU College of Aviation is a firm advocate of the paying-it-forward philosophy because of how he was treated during his higher-education years that began in the fall of 2019.

WMU food marketing students get cutting-edge AI industry tool through six-figure gift

Intent Ai, developer of the AiRICA category management platform, has gifted Western Michigan University’s food marketing program with first-in-the-country access to its agentic artificial intelligence model built to support the next generation of category management. The tool will gives student novel access to cutting-edge technology and experience in the same AI environments that professionals are beginning to use.

A class like no other: Food marketing students visit 36 companies in two weeks

A long-standing tradition, the Great Lakes Food Industry Tour takes food marketing students to 36 companies in two weeks and provides Experience-Driven learning, memories and connections that transcend the trip itself.

WMU female aviators soar to top 10 finish in cross-country race

Western Michigan University’s all-female team of pilots, The Golden Girls, successfully completed all nine legs of the 2026 Air Race Classic, flying more than 2,500 miles over three days and finishing 10th against 22 other collegiate teams in the cross-country race.

CHHS marks 50 years with yearlong celebration

Western Michigan University’s College of Health and Human Services is gearing up to celebrate half a century of impact with a full slate of events in honor of the college’s 50th anniversary.

WMU sociology professor's new children's book celebrates Michigan's therapy dogs who help kids in crisis

A new children's book tells the story of three therapy dogs whose work has touched hundreds of children across Michigan, from the Unified Clinics in the College of Health and Human Services to disaster sites.

An Educator's Mission: How Faten AlSharmani is transforming global systems for vulnerable learners

Faten AlSharmani is an international graduate student at Western Michigan University. She won the Best Presentation Award at the International Conference on Education Policy and Governance. She earned her Master of International Development Administration and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Change Leadership.