A graduate holds his arms up as he walks onto the stage.

Ready for Success

Asa Hollingsworth poses for a photo with his graduation cap on.

Campus leader, future lawyer: Political science student builds case for success

Asa Hollingsworth amassed a wealth of experience during his time at Western through leadership positions in multiple RSOs and internships in legal and government offices.

A portrait of Margaret Mooney in her graduation regalia.

Ready for launch: Engineering grad poised to expand horizons of space research

Chelsea Prebil puts up the W sign with her hands.

Supply chain standout grad racks up resume-worthy experiences

A portrait of Jesus Osvaldo Marinez-Jimenez in his graduation regalia.

Success with interest: Support adds up for accountancy grad

Emily Bosak poses for a picture in her graduation regalia in the College of Health and Human Services atrium.

International health care experiences put nursing grad on path to career success

Emily Bosak, who is graduating in fall 2024 with bachelor's degrees in both nursing and Spanish, had a number of opportunities at Western to gain experience in her field—through internships, research and international travel.

Donovan Boursiquot Wade tosses his graduation cap into the air.

Ready for the spotlight: Theatre grad prepares to make the world his stage

A portrait of Camryn Ruiz in his cap and gown.

Computer engineering grad programmed a path to success at Western

Jade Joseph celebrates with her diploma on stage at commencement.

WMU Aviation’s Jersey girl and recent grad: Jade Joseph

A portrait of Derek Fischer in his graduation cap and gown.

From mechanic to dietician, Air Force veteran focused on helping patients maintain healthy lifestyles

Rachel Mmanga tosses her graduation gown over her shoulder. — From financial models to modeling on the runway

"I believe in my abilities and decisions, which empowers me to take bold actions in both finance and fashion. Confidence allows me to present myself authentically, whether I'm negotiating a deal or walking the runway."

Racheal Mmanga, finance

See how she invested in her success through experience-driven learning

A portrait of Kayde Moore in their graduation regalia.

Arts administration grad thriving in community-driven theatre company

Hands-on experiences put engineering grad in driver's seat for career opportunities

Western grad lands job that marries counseling studies and grad assistant work

Marketing grad finds avenue to follow passion for diabetes advocacy

Combining passion for medicine with philanthropic ideals, biomedical sciences grad ready to make an impact

Omer Idris dove headfirst into undergraduate research opportunities, finishing up his bachelor's degree with multiple papers published in respected research journals.

Off the charts

David Le, Presidential Scholar from the Bronson School of Nursing, didn't just hit the books; he presented his impactful research at a professional conference packed with the people who wrote his textbooks and had the opportunity to lead an innovative study that could improve patient care at a local hospital.

See how he made the most of his Western experience

Impactful experiences empower theatre grad to script ambitious future

From Middle East to Midwest, aviation management student thrives through new opportunities

Engineering grad accelerates industry impact through projects, internships

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.

Swing and a hit: Digital marketing grad's internship lands him job in the big leagues

Engineering grad manufacturing a successful career

A future to smile about: Aviation grad on fast track to flight deck

Undergraduate research, career-related experiences helped psychology grad find purpose

Sharmane Flanders stands in her graduation regalia in front of three of her finished paintings while holding another colorful canvas. — Thriving artist

If I was in a place that didn't value art as much as Kalamazoo, I wouldn't have been able to meet these amazing people and I wouldn't be able to be at the place that I am now with my art: having two solo shows, all of the connections I have made, and all of the amazing opportunities I have received.

Sharmane Flanders, B.A.'23

See how she plans to use her craft to make an impact

Sport management grad ready to hit the court running

Warda Niaz initially thought she'd pursue a career in coaching but pivoted to sports marketing and hasn't looked back. Thanks to the support of expert staff in the sport management program and hands-on learning opportunities, she's ready to hit the ground running in her career.

From the soccer field to electric fields, aerospace engineering degrees propel Bronco toward career success

Music grad found voice at Western

Chemical engineering grad ready to make a splash in sustainability efforts

The birth of a new career: Externship leads to labor and delivery job for nursing grad

Graduate cybersecurity student has secured his future

Geography grad created road map to success at Western

Quinn Heiser got a jump start on his master's degree in geography while completing his bachelor's degree and received a Department of Defense SMART Award that will fund the remainder of his graduate studies and give him a job at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency once he finishes his master's.

Laila Stein, dressed her graduation cap and gown, sits in the cockpit of a small College of Aviation airplane. — Runway to success

I often describe myself as the shy, introverted kid who had a lot of passion and a lot of drive for things, but I didn't really know where to place it or what to do with it. And I think coming (to Western) really taught me that there's a place for every passion and there's a mechanism for every drive you have to do things.

Laila Stein, B.S.'23

Learn how she turned her passion into purpose at Western

Research opportunities, campus involvement set biomedical sciences student up for success as future pediatric heart surgeon

From student ambassador to undergraduate researcher to COVID-19 Student Coalition leader, Grace Filpi has engaged herself in just about every corner of campus.

First-generation sociology student prepares for career in immigration law

From military service to serving up community, Navy veteran finds new passion at Western

Bharat Goel leans on a railing while wearing his graduation cap and gown. — Amped up future

Research ranging from enhancing the power grid to increasing electric battery safety powered early career opportunities for Bharat Goel.

Learn how he found his spark at Western

Foundation Scholar driven to care for communities in need

Kalamazoo Promise comes full circle as Western education grad prepares for KPS career

Computer science grad finds key to career success at Western

Occupational therapy grad focused on uplifting community

Bronco basketball player gets down to business, scores food marketing career

Juggling knives, flying and a busy academic schedule, aviation grad has big things on horizon

Kyle Albrecht, who will graduate from Western with a bachelor's degree in aviation flight science, is ready for his career to take off with the Delta Propel program.

Western helped illuminate career passion, empowered psychology grad to embrace identity

Theatre graduate ready for next act, bolstered by support and mentorship

Social work grad empowered to uplift migrant and Latinx communities

Resilience, hope fuel athletic training grad's drive for success

Taylor Gaines, whose family experienced stretches of homelessness growing up, is excited to put what she's learned at Western into practice. She has dreams of becoming a physical therapist and opening a clinic to help patients who can't otherwise afford care. "I just care a lot about people, how I can better the community. Seeing the stuff that I've been through just made me want to do better for other people," she says.

Aviation grad sees clear skies ahead with full-time job waiting in the wings

Hands-on experience helps engineering grad build bright future

Persistence pays dividends for business student with accounting job waiting after graduation

A photo of Mike Caliendo in his cap and gown. — Tackling medical school

Mike Caliendo has excelled in the classroom and on the football field, recognized among the top student-athletes in the nation. After several years holding the line to protect his quarterback, the biomedical sciences graduate is ready to tackle the next step in his career: protecting public health.

Read his prescription for success

Inspiring Alumni

Grad student who lost sight finds hope in transforming rehabilitation for the blind

Foundation Scholars Program sets stage for success for music theatre graduate

Master's student celebrates citizenship, graduation weeks apart

Raising the bar: Gymnast and dietetics major hoping to take on new challenges in military

Driven to succeed: Engineering grad found his lane at Western

Biomedical sciences graduate driven by resilience, called to help others

Product design graduate ready for career to take flight with aerospace company

Lingxiao Sun sits at a table with her computer as her son reads a book next to her.

Focus, dedication pay dividends as working mom rises to top of data science program

Rozlin Opolka stands in front of a painting she created of her grandmother.

'Twist of fate' gives painting grad space to come into her own as an artist

Dezmond Stover stands in front of a plane.

Aviation grad ready for career to take off

A photo of Michael Sekich in his cap and gown.

Bolstered by court internship, political science grad prepares for law school

A photo of JaJuan Kemp in his cap and gown.

Homeless to college grad: Business student beats odds to create his own success

Daniela Peña Cabreja stands in front of an opera house.

Connecting passion with purpose, music graduate sets sights on art management

A photo of Valeria Marin in her graduation cap and gown.

Passion for helping drives family studies graduate's success

Raegan Delmonico works at an excavation site at Fort St. Joseph.

Anthropology alumna digging life after graduation

Tiffany Francés stands on stage at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.

From Hitsville to hit show, WMU alumna lives out childhood dream on Broadway

Several internships with same company helped alumnus land job

Aerospace engineering alumna soaring at Boeing

Geography alumnus successfully navigates detours on road to career

J. Gabriel Ware, dressed in his graduation regalia, waves at the camera after receiving his diploma.

Internships, faculty support help alumnus land job at ABC News

Student Annalisa Wilder sits on a couch at a United Nations conference.

Undergrad experiences fuel alumna's passion for climate policy

President Edward Montgomery shakes Dr. Dweepobotee Brahma's hand on the commencement stage.

Economics alumna tackling hunger, health issues at Brookings Institution

Graphic design student learns art of networking at WMU

Johnny Anderson III stands with his backpack in the atrium of the College of Health and Human Services.