Dear Bronco Nation, 

Please help me congratulate our teammate, Dan Bartholomae, our vice president and director of athletics, who was recognized in New York City as one of five finalists for the Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year. His place among the finalists is a national recognition for Western Michigan University. Nominated alongside AD peers from Indiana, Utah, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt, Dan was the only finalist not from a Power Four program. This is a best-in-class recognition of excellence in athletics leadership, and Western was on that stage. 

Dan is a great teammate, and he would be the first to say that this nomination belongs to all of us at WMU, and particularly our student-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty, supporters and fans who make Bronco Athletics special. Through Dan’s leadership, we have proven that college athletics can simultaneously show excellence in the classroom, in the community and in competition.  

Our student-athletes have achieved record GPAs, posted an 89% graduation rate and volunteered thousands of hours of service to our region, with 100% of Bronco student-athletes participating in service efforts. 

With support from their coaches, staff and faculty, our student-athletes win—and win big. This includes a national hockey championship, a MAC football championship, a bowl win, our two-time Jazz Collegiate Classic national champions, and extensive postseason success across multiple programs. For the past two years, we have been the winningest athletics program in the MAC and are in the running for a three-peat.  

This academic and athletic success lifts us all, within and beyond our University. Successful Division I athletics brings unparalleled visibility to Western, including $40.5 million in annual earned media and broadcast exposure, fueled by national TV appearances, a hockey championship run and growing social media reach. It tells our story to countless viewers and prospective Broncos and enhances the felt experience for all our students. It builds pride among alumni and friends.   

And it creates value for our community partners and for us, generating $55 million in annual economic activity that supports local businesses, as well as more than $100 million in annual value for the University, Kalamazoo County and our institutional brand. Perhaps most importantly, thanks to Dan’s leadership and competitive drive, we have garnered historic levels of financial support from our external supporters. In a new era of compensation for student-athletes, such support allows us to achieve unprecedented success, while also recognizing that our University’s financial investment ranks in the bottom third of our conference.  

We are all proud that WMU offers a comprehensive educational experience, while being a valuable community partner. This nomination is proof that we are doing both, and it simply would not occur without Dan’s leadership. I am very proud that he is our teammate and that our athletic department is being recognized nationally. 

Go Broncos! 

Russ 

Hello, Broncos,

Dr. Diane Anderson, vice president for student affairs, has told me that after 33 years of dedicated service to Western Michigan University—25 of those as a vice president—she will retire on Dec. 31, 2026. Throughout her career, she has walked alongside generations of students—including a younger version of me—as they have found their way in college and in life. Her commitment runs deep; she chose WMU as her professional home because we take student perspectives seriously.

Over time, through extensive listening and relationship-building, Diane helped shape the Division of Student Affairs into an integrated, collaborative team focused on student success and shared purpose.

Her leadership footprint is visible across campus life. Under her guidance, we replaced aging residence halls with vibrant new spaces, such as Western View Apartments, Western Heights, Arcadia Flats and the new Valley Oaks, set to open in the fall, as well as two contemporary dining centers.

Her crowning achievement is the WMU Student Center, which she advocated for over the course of decades at Western. Opened in fall 2023, it has become our hub of belonging—a place where students meet new friends, relax and study together, and learn through co-curricular experiences. 

Diane has also been instrumental in addressing students’ evolving mental health needs. After years of persistent advocacy and careful change management, she led the integration of counseling services into Sindecuse Health Center, dramatically enhancing students’ access to timely, coordinated care so they do not have to navigate their most difficult moments alone.

Diane’s calm demeanor and steady hand have been important during times of significant organizational change, as she and her team have adapted to shifting student needs while navigating complex organizational issues over nearly two decades. Her efforts have left a lasting impact on how we support students’ holistic well-being and how the Division of Student Affairs responds to evolving expectations. Her colleagues will tell you she shows up consistently in the toughest rooms, helping people move from anxiety and conflict toward solutions that keep students’ needs and voices at the forefront.

Diane has had the opportunity to work with seven WMU presidents, and in her last work, “breaking in a new president,” she has offered invaluable advice and steady support through countless difficult decisions. She has a rare ability to handle hard things with careful grace. I will miss her as my teammate, and my beloved alma mater will miss her leadership and heart—both of which are of the highest order.  

In the coming months, I will share more about the transition plans for Dr. Anderson’s teams and how we will take on the bittersweet process of thanking her and wishing her well in retirement.

Go Broncos!

Russ

Hello, Broncos,

I am writing to share an important transition on our leadership team. After 43 years of dedicated service to Western Michigan University, Jan Van Der Kley, vice president for business and finance and treasurer to the Board of Trustees, has informed me that she plans to retire effective Dec. 31, 2026, after devoting nearly her entire professional life to this University. 

Jan’s contributions are woven into who we are as a University. She joined WMU in 1983 and has held key roles in internal audit, advancement and accounting services and has served since 2011 as vice president for business and finance. 

Her leadership footprint can be found across major campus landmarks, including the WMU Student Center and the pedestrian mall. She has shaped our campus with creativity and pragmatism—from working with local artists on beloved landmarks to insisting that every construction project improve the campus experience. 

Just as importantly, Jan has been one of Western’s chief problem-solvers during some of higher education’s most difficult financial chapters. She helped WMU navigate three economic downturns, including the 2008 financial crisis and the pandemic. Each time, she made sure we kept delivering on our promise to students and to Michigan. 

Her leadership legacy extends beyond Main Campus. Jan played a key role in the planning, financial structuring and launch of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, where she continues to serve as an inaugural board member. She has also represented Western on foundation boards and in complex community efforts, including the establishment of a central dispatch authority for our region.

Jan has also led by building relationships. She has stepped into difficult rooms and moved problems from conflict toward solution, never losing faith in what this University can do for students and Michigan. Her courage, optimism and unwavering belief in our mission have made Western stronger through every challenge we’ve faced.

And, in her last chapter of great work, she helped me, a new president, transition back to a place we both love. I am personally grateful for her support and teamwork. I trust her, deeply value her hard work and advice, and will miss her.

Today, I am launching a national search for our next vice president for business and finance. I have asked Dr. Chris Cheatham, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dan Bartholomae, vice president and director of athletics, to co-chair the search. These leaders will keep the campus community advised of the progress of this important work.  

Our goal is to have the next vice president in place this fall, allowing overlap with Jan so we can ensure continuity in our financial and administrative operations. 

In the months ahead, we will celebrate Jan’s remarkable career at Western. For now, please join me in congratulating Jan on her upcoming retirement and in recognizing the difference she has made for generations of Broncos. On behalf of those who are fellow Bronco graduates, thank you, Jan. You have made all of us proud by using your education to make a difference in the people and places around you. Go Broncos!

Russ

Dear Teammates, 

As we close this academic year, I am deeply grateful for your excellent work and dedication to our mission. We are all proud to have welcomed over 2,300 new members to the Bronco alumni ranks at this past weekend’s commencement ceremonies. Thank you for helping these students achieve the life-changing accomplishment of earning a WMU degree.  

Our work is that important—it is life changing. And I am excited to join you in working to give more students access to our beloved WMU. As a recent example, we just announced the Bronco Bound Guarantee, which is a new partnership with Kalamazoo Valley Community College. This agreement establishes a clear and reliable pathway for students to continue their education at WMU, and it is directly responsive to the feedback that many of you gave on ways to expand our reach to new students. The agreement will remove uncertainty and simplify the transition, helping students move forward with confidence. Efforts like this reflect the kind of practical, student-centered work we must continue to expand. This great work was led by a transfer working group under the direction of Dr. Kristen Salomonson and Dr. Randy Ott and included Dr. Laura Dinehart, Anthony Helms, Megan Kupres and David Paul. 

This work is also in line with priorities you reported in a recent survey conducted by our partner, the Huron Consulting Group. Several themes emerged: You encouraged us to streamline administrative processes, reduce duplication and simplify systems. You pointed to opportunities to expand enrollment among adult and transfer students; strengthen advising and faculty support; clarify student pathways and retention efforts; and pursue innovation through experiential learning, AI-enabled tools and stronger industry partnerships. This infographic summarizes these themes.

This survey and additional deep analysis are nearly complete. In the coming weeks, I will report the findings. Initial reports confirm what you consistently reported during my listening tour: A need for greater clarity about our institutional priorities and identity; fewer silos and more collaboration; more transparent decision-making; a stronger sense that resources, structures and processes match stated goals; and a focus on enrollment decline as the central challenge shaping nearly every other issue. 

As we end my first year back as your teammate, this is an exciting opportunity in the life of our University. We are seeing new challenges, including unprecedented questions about the value of higher education. We are clear-eyed about the demographic decline that will further reduce the number of students who will attend universities like ours. I am enthusiastic that you consistently tell me how those challenges are opportunities to showcase our strengths. I see you, our faculty and staff who care deeply about our students and our public-education mission, as our best strength.

If we choose to come together now, as a unified team, we can help define the future not only of WMU but of higher education itself. This is our moment to show how we relentlessly focus on an excellent student experience and on the skills and knowledge that students, employers and communities truly need. We can stand out as the University that applies research to solve today’s problems by empowering tomorrow’s leaders. Now is the time to build that future, with WMU leading through a student‑focused experience, tangible value for the communities we serve and applied creativity that turns real challenges into real solutions. 

Go Broncos! 

Russ

Why this makes strategic sense 

Dear Colleagues,

WMU and Kalamazoo County have been exploring a proposal to transition stewardship and day-to-day management of the Asylum Lake Preserve to Kalamazoo County, allowing the preserve to be cared for as part of the County’s system that manages parks and a large nature preserve.

This proposed action will be considered by the Board of Trustees at its meeting on Thursday.

Any potential transition of stewardship is grounded in several core principles that have long defined the Asylum Lake Preserve and are deeply valued by our community: 

The preserve would remain permanently protected for passive recreational use under existing conservation restrictions and state law;
Public access would continue at no charge; and WMU faculty, staff and students would retain access to the property for educational and research purposes.

The proposed transition reflects the County’s experience and expertise in managing public parks and a nature preserve of similar size while allowing the University to remain focused on our core educational mission. This proposal does not involve the exchange of funds between the University and the County. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation currently holds an endowment dedicated to the long-term protection of the preserve. Stewardship of this endowment would be transferred to the County.  

If approved by trustees, their action would authorize University administration to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County to formalize the transfer of Asylum Lake Preserve’s stewardship and to negotiate a long-term interlocal agreement. The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners would next consider the MOU.

As a later step, if the MOU has been approved by both governing boards, the University and the County could jointly seek state legislation to allow for a formal transfer of the property. You can read more about the proposed action in the board’s online agenda packet.

We recognize that the Asylum Lake Preserve holds deep meaning for many in our community. Our intent throughout this process has been to proceed thoughtfully and in the long-term best interest of the preserve, the University and our community.

Thank you,   
Russ

Dear teammates, 

I am excited to announce that we have extended the contract of Dan Bartholomae, Vice President and Director of Athletics, to June 30, 2031.  Under Dan’s leadership, the performance of our student-athletes, coaches and the entire department has made it easy to root for our Broncos.  Not only do we win often, but we also compete with honor and honesty. 

Despite having a general fund investment that places it in the lowest third of MAC schools and is lower than previous years at Western, the department still finished the last two seasons as the winningest program in the MAC and brought home a national hockey title to boot.  What’s more, 89% of our Broncos graduate, and 100% participate in community service, all while benefiting from holistic development through Broncos emPOWERed.  Read more about the Broncos’ successes under Dan’s leadership.   

Growing success in athletics and navigating the multifront disruption in NCAA Division I sports will be essential to sustaining our educational mission.  An extensive study released earlier this week found that athletics generates $40.5 million in annual earned media and broadcast exposure value, fueled by national TV appearances, along with a $55-million economic impact for Kalamazoo County.  Most of us are familiar with just how fierce enrollment competition has become and will continue to be.  We now know precisely how crucial athletics is to remaining top of mind to prospective students and their families and to ensuring the vitality of our local economy.   

Dan’s deft hand at the wheel and steady leadership will be critical to attracting and retaining great athletic talent when it has never been harder.  With this extension, Dan and the University have made substantial long-term commitments to the future of Bronco Athletics at a critical moment in the history of Division I athletics and in our University’s history.  

Please join me in congratulating and thanking Dan!  

Go Broncos! 
Russ 

Dear Teammates, 

Federal rules under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have established updated digital accessibility standards for public institutions, including universities, that aim to reduce barriers for those with disabilities. 

These requirements apply broadly to the digital materials we create, such as all University webpages, learning platforms, documents, videos and social media. 

Anyone who creates, purchases or maintains digital content or digital services plays a role in ensuring accessibility by the April 24, 2026, deadline. Because faculty and staff are on the front lines of creating and sharing this content, your role is essential to successful implementation. 

A Digital Accessibility Steering Committee is leading WMU’s planning, training and remediation efforts. The team has launched a Digital Accessibility website with guidance and training opportunities. They will continue to deploy additional resources for faculty and staff beginning this week and over the coming weeks, including town hall discussions announced in WMU Today as well as training and targeted resources to assist you in achieving accessibility standards.  

An upcoming message from the steering committee will share guidance outlining next steps and what you can expect over the coming weeks and months. 

Thank you for working together to ensure our digital environments meet the required standards and reflect our University commitment to access, inclusion and student success, in keeping with our motto, “So that all may learn.” 

Russ Kavalhuna 
President

Dear Teammates,

I am pleased to share that Dr. Chris Cheatham, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs, has agreed to continue serving in this capacity through October at my request and with my full support. I am deeply grateful for his strong and steady leadership.

Rather than conduct a search for the position during the intervening period, we will remain focused on advancing enrollment and the academic priorities that matter most to our University community.

Dr. Cheatham has provided thoughtful and effective leadership across academic affairs. His leadership is reflected in his work guiding the successful reorganization of WMUx resources, carefully redistributing the unit’s staff and services for the most significant positive impact. This has improved efficiency, reduced costs, and created new opportunities for impact and innovation.

Under his leadership, support for Instructional Development Grants has expanded, enabling faculty to redesign courses and curricula in a way that enhances student learning and instructional quality. He also established the transfer working group charged with developing recommendations to position WMU as the most transfer-friendly four-year public institution in the state. 

I am grateful to Dr. Cheatham for his continued service and leadership in advancing the University’s mission. I am confident that the strong momentum launched in 2025 will continue into 2026, building on recent successes and moving our shared priorities forward. Please join me in supporting him as he guides our academic enterprise into a strong future. 

Russ Kavalhuna 
President

Dear Teammates,

As we close in on the end of the calendar year, I hope to share some thoughts about my first several months in my third tour at our beloved WMU. Most of my messages will not be this lengthy, but this year-end message aims to give detailed, transparent information.   

I am extraordinarily optimistic about our joint future at WMU—because I believe in you. I have been meeting with and listening to all our constituents. While I always have and always will love Western, the last few months have only intensified my passion for this special place. This University embodies an idea that inspires—an idea larger than any of us: WMU is a gateway to human development that changes lives for the better. I know this because I have seen and felt it in my own life and in the lives of my students and teammates. 

Despite the well-documented challenges all universities face, I am convinced that we will grow and develop as we overcome them together—as a team—because you share my passion for the idea embodied here.    

Thank you to the many students, faculty and staff who participated in the listening tour. Early in the spring semester, I will share a full report on what we heard. At the same time, we must not delay action on the most-frequent and most-urgent feedback. I heard you consistently say that we work in silos that thwart collaboration and sometimes lead to duplication of effort or internal competition. You requested increased transparency from leadership, with acknowledgment of problems and explanations of decisions. You noted that clearer lines of authority will allow your good ideas to gain traction without duplicating others’ work. And you shared how our current budget model does not sufficiently support student success, academic excellence and long-term fiscal strength.  

We will start addressing these issues right away with the actions outlined below. Each of these initiatives aims to encourage teamwork across divisions, clearly define problems and solutions, and provide transparent rationales for allocating resources to our strategic priorities. These steps are not about cuts to our beloved University or our hardworking teammates. We must carefully invest our limited resources, and we cannot cut our way to prosperity. These steps will help us make transparent strategic decisions that support the entire University and provide a path for growth. I welcome any questions or feedback on these initial steps. 

First, we will transition away from our current Strategic Resource Management (SRM) budget model to address concerns that it encouraged siloed behavior, created inefficiencies, and relied on a University Participation Assessment (UPA) that dampened incentives for revenue growth. 

Beginning in fiscal year 2027, which starts July 1, 2026, we will implement a new model with these key elements:  

• Tuition and fee dollars will flow centrally to enable more strategic, nimble resource allocation, rather than first flowing to the colleges and supporting central efforts through a tax.
• Incremental budgeting will establish allocations built on the prior year's budget with targeted adjustments in alignment with strategic priorities.
• There will be tuition-revenue and enrollment goals for each tuition-producing college. Deans will have input on the goals and resource-sharing rules. Surpluses or shortfalls will be addressed by adjusting base budgets over time. 

• are budgeted General Fund (Fund 11) positions but have been vacant for six months and have a salary of $60,000 or more;
• and any new General Fund position at any salary level; or
• any posting of a position with a salary of $100,000 or more.  

This effort will provide institution-wide transparency into resource allocation for our most valuable resource—our excellent workforce, which accounts for more than 62% of our resources. This process is intentionally future-focused, applying only to vacant positions; it excludes currently held positions. Each Cabinet review and approval will help us plan our long-term commitments, avoid duplication, and improve Universitywide collaboration and efficiency. 

Third, we will seek the support of third-party expertise to evaluate our current processes for resource allocation and learn best practices to achieve growth. We will seek an external partner to help us take your feedback for efficiencies and growth, and to recommend ways to:  

• sustain and advance our teaching and research mission while putting students first;
• reduce unnecessary silos and bureaucracy while accelerating cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving;
• enhance our competitive position; and
• provide leadership with the information needed to make strategic decisions that support the University’s fiscal health over the next decade.

• Dan Bartholomae, Vice President and Director of Athletics
• Jan Van Der Kley, Vice President for Business and Finance 

Committee members: 

• Claire Binford, Graduate Student Association President
• Dr. Satish Deshpande, Dean, Haworth College of Business
• Melissa Holman, Senior Director, Multicultural Affairs for Students, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
• Andrew Holmes, Chief Information Officer, Office of Information Technology
• Nicole Kalmbach, Senior Director of Business Operations, Office of Student Affairs 
• Luke Kritzman, Western Student Association President
• Dr. Amy Naugle, Faculty Senate President
• Tony Proudfoot, Vice President for Marketing and Strategic Communications
• Josh Renoos, Senior Director of Advancement and Foundation Administration, University Advancement

Collectively, these three efforts will help us clearly understand our current foundation, from which we will collectively build a strong future. A thriving WMU requires that we see today’s challenges as opportunities to grow and improve—together, as a team. 

The Cabinet and I commit to every one of you: we will do this work together with transparency and a focus on improvement and growth. Every solution-oriented idea from any teammate will be considered in this process. Each hard decision and challenge will be an opportunity to focus on the future and build our culture of teamwork. I hope you will join me for an information session on Tuesday, Jan. 13, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. where I will answer questions about these new initiatives. I'll take questions there, and welcome questions in advance sent to office-of-the-president@wmich.edu. 

I believe in our joint future because I believe in you and WMU. Go Broncos! 

Russ 

Dear Teammates,

Today, I’m excited to share a new example of what can happen when we unite around our mission.

Last week, President Andrew Hennlich and Vice President Cathryn Bailey of Western Michigan University’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors (WMU-AAUP) shared with their members news of the new WMU/AAUP Scholarship for First-Generation Students—a powerful example of Bronco collaboration in service of our students. With support from WMU-AAUP’s executive committee and a personal donation from me, we are establishing a $15,000 scholarship fund that will provide up to three $5,000 awards for first-generation Broncos, with an emphasis on first- and second-generation U.S. citizens and residents. These scholarships will go to students demonstrating strong academics and a passion for justice, peace, democracy or improving health through education.

This teamwork highlights our shared conviction: Education is a force for good, and WMU is a place where opportunity starts and grows. 

This positive step is part of a larger movement. In recent months, colleagues in the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union; the Police Officers Association; and the Professional Instructors Organization have worked amicably with the University as well to reach meaningful agreements that move us forward together. This joint scholarship is one example of similar collaboration with the AAUP. Others include protective eyewear stipends for eligible faculty and increased research travel funds.

Together, we are putting students at the center of our collaborative efforts. We will keep this student-centered momentum going!

Go Broncos!

Sincerely,

Russ

Hey teammates! 

I have great news to share: This fall marks our second consecutive year of achieving record-high retention, which now stands at 82.1%. This is a full percentage point increase, and we’ve also seen gains across every class level. We have also achieved the highest six-year graduation rate on record, up a full percentage point. We are now at 58.6%, which is a good improvement and sets up room for progress.

Since 2022, we have improved on this metric from a rank of 11th among Michigan public universities to sixth. That five-spot improvement is especially impressive considering that, over the same time period, no other Michigan public improved more than a single spot and only six—fewer than half—improved their rank at all.

Retention and graduation rates are some of our most important measures of student and institutional success, and our progress is not by chance. It is the result of intentional investments in Experience-Driven Learning, academic advising, faculty support and holistic student success initiatives—from mental health resources to one-on-one guidance. This positive development also speaks to the strong relationships our Broncos forge with you, the most dedicated faculty and staff around. 

These outcomes affirm that when we center our focus on students, helping them thrive inside and outside the classroom, they persist, graduate and go on to experience meaningful careers and fulfilled lives. 

This great news on retention will help us set and pursue our pivotal enrollment goals. Enrollment delivers nearly 70% of our general fund revenue. Overall enrollment declined slightly this fall—by about 1.6%. Over the last 10 years, we have seen total enrollment decline from 23,252 to 17,331, which is a 25% decline that we must address. We can use this momentum on retention and graduation rates to pull together and turn it around and work to achieve an increase. 

This University's mission, “So that all may learn,” is to ensure that every one of our students has the opportunity, support and resilience to succeed. That is the path we are building together. And, together, we will succeed.  

Go Broncos! 

Russ Kavalhuna 
President 

Happy first day of fall classes, Broncos!  

In recent weeks, I’ve had the joy of meeting students and families during move in, joining faculty and staff at the All-Hands Bash and connecting with alumni and partners who are invested in our success.  These moments remind me of the remarkable strength of our Bronco community.

WMU is rising—through record student success, meaningful research, growing recognition for innovation and championship athletics.  None of this happens without you.  I’m proud to serve as your teammate, and I look forward to the year ahead as we continue building this momentum together.

Let’s make it a year to remember, Broncos!

Russ Kavalhuna 
President

Hey, teammates,

I have exciting news to share.  Western Michigan University is ranked as the best higher education employer in Michigan and No. 16 among all employers in the state, according to Forbes' ranking of America's Best-In-State Employers.  Congratulations! I hope you take pride in this remarkable accomplishment.

What makes this Forbes recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects the voices of our very own community—you, WMU’s talented faculty and staff. The list is based on the responses of more than 160,000 employees throughout the United States. Your perspectives on workplace culture and the pride you take in recommending WMU as a great place to work are clear evidence of the dedication and team spirit you bring to campus every day as Broncos. 

Our shared commitment to student success makes achievements like this possible.  Thank you for your hard work and for fostering a high-quality educational environment empowering our students with holistic, Experience-Driven Learning.

What an excellent way to start the 2025-26 academic year!

Go Broncos!

Russ

Dear teammates, 

I am excited to share great news!  Our state continues to see WMU as the place to invest for innovation.  Our Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center was awarded $5.3 million from the state of Michigan to help accelerate entrepreneurial ventures in biotechnology.  This major investment comes from the newly launched Michigan Innovation Fund, created through a bipartisan effort to support business innovation and economic growth.  WMU is among the first recipients—a total of $60 million went to just eight venture funds across the state.  

This is proof that your work matters to our state’s leaders.  From graduating the next generation of Broncos who make a difference in our world to helping to launch business ventures that create jobs, Western is delivering outcomes that serve our students, our communities and our state.

This investment would not have been possible without the strong leadership of Steve Haakenson, who has led the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center since 2012, and his continued commitment to advancing research from laboratory to the market, as well as the governing board of directors who support the mission.  Making a positive impact on our communities by creating jobs and advancing discovery are in Western's DNA, and the BRCC will now have a greater opportunity to contribute. 

It has been about a month since I joined you, and we are now just weeks away from the start of fall classes.  Since my appointment, I’ve had the privilege of meeting students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of WMU here at home and in Grand Rapids, Detroit and Chicago.  No matter where I go, I see and hear a clear message: People believe in Western.  They see our strides and our promise.  And they are excited about the future.  I feel the same, and I hope you do also.  

This momentum and admiration are rooted in WMU's dedication to fueling student success, creating community impact, broadening the impact of knowledge and driving economic development.  As your biggest cheerleader, and the proud Bronco Advocate in Chief, I will continue to champion the value we bring.  WMU creates opportunity.  We shape lives.  We build futures.  WMU delivers—and it is because of you, my teammates. 

Thank you for the essential role you play in this work.  I am immensely proud to be your teammate. 

Go Broncos! 

Russ Kavalhuna 
President

Bronco Nation, 

We are all excited for the start of the academic year!  It feels great to be back home at WMU, and my highest priority is listening and learning from you.  Together, we are all WMU, and we will shape our future together.  

As promised, we are launching a series of listening sessions with support from a Presidential Transition Team.  I am grateful that this work is being co-led by WMU Board of Trustees Chair Shelly Edgerton and Dr. Amy Naugle, professor of psychology.  The full team includes representatives from student government, faculty and staff organizations, administrators and the broader community.  I appreciate their help making this an inclusive and open process.

The first of many sessions will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Waldo Library, Room 3016.  These listening sessions will be fully open to all, and we will aim to make each session generally focused on a particular constituency.  This first session will focus on hearing from staff—whose insights and experiences are essential to the strength and success of WMU.   

Future sessions, including in September, will focus on faculty, students, alumni and our external partners and friends.  Upcoming sessions include a student session on Sept. 3 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Sangren Hall, Room 1710; a faculty session on Sept. 4 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in Waldo Library, Room 3016; a general campus and community session on Sept. 8 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in Waldo Library, Room 3016; and an academic chairs and directors session on Sept. 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in Waldo Library, Room 3016. 

At each session, we will explore such questions as: 

• What are WMU’s greatest strengths?
• What do you want me to understand about your experience here? 
• What’s one change that would make a meaningful difference for you? 
• What challenges or barriers should we address in the next 1-3 years?

We encourage you to share thoughts in whatever way feels most comfortable—whether speaking during the session or submitting comments anonymously through Slido moderation technology with your phone. 

I will be listening for the themes that emerge—none of which will be attributed to individuals—and I am committed to sharing what I hear with our broader community. 

This listening tour is just one way we will connect.  I look forward to hearing from you as teammates through conversations and opportunities as these sessions unfold and during the coming year.

Sincerely, 
 
Russ Kavalhuna

Hey Broncos! 

Today is my first official day as president of Western Michigan University, and I could not be more excited to be home.  The best leaders help the team set a culture, and I can already see that ours is based on a shared enthusiasm and pride in Western and all you have accomplished of late.  I’m a Bronco through and through—with WMU memories starting at 6 years old—and I believe we are on the cusp of the very best of Western’s 122-year-old legacy.  It is such an honor to join you as a teammate.

Everywhere I go, Bronco supporters of all kinds—business leaders, government officials, alumni, donors, sports fans—tell me about WMU’s momentum on every dimension: student success, research productivity, philanthropic support, athletic competitiveness and the transformation of our campus, to name a few.  Like me, they are optimistic about our future.  It’s given me the opportunity to speak highly of you and share how much this University means to me.

We share the goals of becoming a top-tier public institution in Michigan by providing a holistic, experience-driven education and growing the impact of our research.  We are ready to expand our positive effect on students, grow mutually beneficial partnerships across Michigan and create new knowledge that betters lives.

We are ready for the novel challenges we face, and we have the confidence that comes from growing success.  I am motivated by the contagious Bronco spirit I see and feel across the campus community.

I am also honored to follow President Emeritus Montgomery.  He challenged WMU to focus on student success and advance human knowledge in accordance with our motto, “So that all may learn.”  He has left a legacy of a stronger Bronco Nation, and we all owe him and Kari a debt of gratitude.

I am excited to get to work.  I believe a strong leader understands why we have two ears and half as many mouths, which is why I will start by listening.  I am ready to learn from you.  My schedule is already filling with meetings across all our stakeholders.  In the coming weeks, I will share the plan for my listening tour, where I aim to hear from as many Broncos as possible.  In the meantime, please reach out.  If you want me to see you or your group, just let me know by emailing me.

I believe we all want to be part of a mission that is bigger than ourselves and to work on teams that make a difference.  That’s been my experience at WMU and why I love it to my core.  Western has made me better in countless ways, as it has for hundreds of thousands of Broncos.  Together, we will continue that tradition, and we will do so as a team.  I am deeply proud to be your teammate—again!

Go Broncos!
Russ

Dear colleagues, 

In a few short months, I’ll return to the WMU community—this time as the University’s 10th president. As we prepare for what’s ahead, I want to thank you for the incredible work you do every day.  

As an alumnus who later taught and served in a leadership role in our College of Aviation, I know the heart of this institution beats strongest because of our faculty and staff.  

Since my appointment, my enthusiasm has only increased. I’m particularly looking forward to beginning a listening tour that will kick off upon my arrival and stretch at least through the fall semester. I want to hear the stories and aspirations that will shape our next chapter together as we deliver on Western's shared mission, “so that all may learn.” 

In this video, I have shared a few of my initial thoughts on the importance of your work. 

With gratitude, 

Russ

Dear students, 

In a few short months, I’ll officially join you as Western’s 10th president. I can’t wait to be part of this campus community again. 

I’ve been in your shoes, so I know how powerful these years can be. I made this short video to say hello and share how proud I am to be (re)joining a place filled with people in pursuit of purpose, meaningful careers and fulfilling lives. 

Upon my arrival in July, I’ll be kicking off a listening tour that will stretch at least into the fall semester. I hope to hear from as many of you as possible. Your voices matter in shaping our future.  

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

With Bronco pride, 

Russ