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

Ready for Success

Outstanding Graduates

  • Warda Niaz poses for a photo in her cap and gown.

    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.

  • A portrait of Quinn Heiser in his graduation cap and gown standing in front of a scenic painting.

    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

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.

  • A portrait of Taylor Gaines in her cap and gown in front of a snowy Bronco statue.

    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.

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.

Inspiring Alumni