Western Michigan University ranked top education employer in Michigan
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A top education destination, Western Michigan University is also a great place to work. The institution was named the top-rated education employer in the state of Michigan on the newly released Forbes list of America’s Best-In-State Employers 2025.
“This honor belongs to every faculty and staff member on campus and to their dedicated teamwork fostering a high-quality educational environment that empowers our students through holistic, Experience-Driven Learning,” says WMU President Russ Kavalhuna.
A total of 75 employers across all sectors—from technology and health care to automotive and education—made the list of top places to work in Michigan; WMU ranked No. 16 overall.
Western employs nearly 4,000 faculty and staff members, making it one of the largest employers in Kalamazoo.
The Forbes list reflects responses from more than 160,000 employees surveyed nationwide who were asked how likely they were to recommend their employer. Participants also evaluated their workplace on criteria including paths to professional advancement, wage parity, workplace culture and whether their employer takes action on serious issues.
"What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects the voices of our very own—WMU’s talented faculty and staff—and the pride they take in recommending WMU as a great place to work. This is clear evidence of dedication and team spirit they bring to campus every day as Broncos,” Kavalhuna says.
Western is focused on empowering holistic growth for students so they can thrive in their careers and life beyond graduation. That growth mindset extends to employees as well, as the University offers several resources and training opportunities for professional advancement, such as the Academic Leadership Academy and the Employee Leadership Development Program.
The University also offers a robust wellness program and benefits package to all employees and recently completed an extensive employee engagement effort, gathering data and incorporating feedback from working groups across campus to improve workplace culture.
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