![A portrait of Kayde Moore in their graduation regalia.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2024/07/DSC00020B.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=zei1-wBL)
Arts administration grad thriving in community-driven theatre company
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2024/06/DSC09938.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=CvLq0_D5)
Hands-on experiences put engineering grad in driver's seat for career opportunities
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Western grad lands job that marries counseling studies and grad assistant work
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2024/06/DSC09454.jpg?h=678b9b2f&itok=RAb0e2WP)
Marketing grad finds avenue to follow passion for diabetes advocacy
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u2820/2024/david%20le%20commencement.jpg?h=5e582eb3&itok=mE2E_ghs)
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.
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2024/04/DSC09125.jpg?h=c6980913&itok=nj1hJ2pZ)
Impactful experiences empower theatre grad to script ambitious future
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From Middle East to Midwest, aviation management student thrives through new opportunities
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Engineering grad accelerates industry impact through projects, internships
Julia Haas says the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences' connections to industry leaders and focus on real-world projects and experiences has put her on the fast-track to success in her career.
![Sharmane Flanders stands in her graduation regalia in front of three of her finished paintings while holding another colorful canvas.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u2820/2023/Sharmane%20Flanders%20slide%20photo.jpg?h=5e582eb3&itok=HrHX73G5)
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
![Laila Stein, dressed her graduation cap and gown, sits in the cockpit of a small College of Aviation airplane.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u2820/2023/laila%20slide.jpg?h=5e582eb3&itok=umTwjmsE)
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
![Bharat Goel leans on a railing while wearing his graduation cap and gown.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u2820/2022/bharat%20slide.png?h=d4a2cb2c&itok=DKi_JwoB)
Amped up future
Research ranging from enhancing the power grid to increasing electric battery safety powered early career opportunities for Bharat Goel.
![A photo of Mike Caliendo in his cap and gown.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/hero_12_5/public/images/u2820/2021/caliendo%20lead%20photo.png?h=d4a2cb2c&itok=Fd9XgIy9)
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.
Inspiring Alumni
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2021/06/parsons.jpg?h=4362216e&itok=s21pT9Np)
Grad student who lost sight finds hope in transforming rehabilitation for the blind
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Foundation Scholars Program sets stage for success for music theatre graduate
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Master's student celebrates citizenship, graduation weeks apart
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Raising the bar: Gymnast and dietetics major hoping to take on new challenges in military
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Driven to succeed: Engineering grad found his lane at Western
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Biomedical sciences graduate driven by resilience, called to help others
![Image](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2021/04/aisha%20grad%201.jpg?h=5975b52e&itok=5Lz724Z3)
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.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/ling%20work%20from%20home.jpg?h=84fbeafe&itok=JuU3fJ1P)
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.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/MBZ07320.jpg?h=31570097&itok=n9rOw3uz)
'Twist of fate' gives painting grad space to come into her own as an artist
![Dezmond Stover stands in front of a plane.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/MBZ07770.jpg?h=d798896c&itok=xGJI94Lm)
Aviation grad ready for career to take off
![A photo of Michael Sekich in his cap and gown.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/Sekich%20grad%20photo.jpg?h=657a84a4&itok=G0ahKS7P)
Bolstered by court internship, political science grad prepares for law school
![A photo of JaJuan Kemp in his cap and gown.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/JaJuan%20cap%20and%20gown.jpg?h=dacf1e8a&itok=ZjJXFfOV)
Homeless to college grad: Business student beats odds to create his own success
![Daniela Peña Cabreja stands in front of an opera house.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/daniela%20at%20opera%20house.jpg?h=9ee95fe7&itok=1hW3waRJ)
Connecting passion with purpose, music graduate sets sights on art management
A vocal performance major, Daniela Peña Cabreja routinely sings the praises of Western Michigan University. In addition to world-class vocal training and once-in-a-lifetime performance opportunities, WMU helped her discover a new passion and career path.
![A photo of Valeria Marin in her graduation cap and gown.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/12/MBZ07593.jpg?h=790be497&itok=HEbbhc4_)
Passion for helping drives family studies graduate's success
Anthropology alumna digging life after graduation
![Tiffany Francés stands on stage at Broadway's Imperial Theatre.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/02/Tiffany%20Frances%203.jpg?h=404059e4&itok=-JAVPh3W)
From Hitsville to hit show, WMU alumna lives out childhood dream on Broadway
![A portrait of Robert Repke.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/02/Repke%20lead%20image.jpg?h=b146f3ee&itok=4Ch-aLO4)
Several internships with same company helped alumnus land job
![A portrait of Magreth Haji.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/02/Haji%20lead%20photo.jpg?h=83dc15cd&itok=qifTSv1R)
Aerospace engineering alumna soaring at Boeing
![A portrait of Ryan Taylor.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/02/ryan%20taylor%20lead%20image.jpg?h=12690652&itok=CsHZjXf8)
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.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/02/j%20gabriel%20grad.jpg?h=98f45ff8&itok=Cv8V2blm)
Internships, faculty support help alumnus land job at ABC News
![Student Annalisa Wilder sits on a couch at a United Nations conference.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/01/Annalisa%20COP%201.jpg?h=52d3fcb6&itok=OEkw1weM)
Undergrad experiences fuel alumna's passion for climate policy
![President Edward Montgomery shakes Dr. Dweepobotee Brahma's hand on the commencement stage.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/01/dweepobotee%20lead%20image.jpg?h=a49d782d&itok=e1mwTQEI)
Economics alumna tackling hunger, health issues at Brookings Institution
![A group of people have a discussion.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/01/lynnae%20strait%203.jpeg?h=2992ba0a&itok=r0sLps1j)
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.](https://files.wmich.edu/s3fs-public/styles/3_2/public/images/news/2020/02/johnny%20anderson1_0.jpg?h=ac778ff2&itok=FFJRPN06)