STEM Workforce Collaboratory

students observing the Advanced Design Wind Tunnel in the Applied Aerodynamics Laboratory.

The Western Michigan University STEM Workforce Collaboratory (STEM-WC), a collaboration between the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, was built to advance WMU’s STEM programs and enhance the STEM pipeline and workforce. The STEM-WC directly funds the acquisition of
equipment and technology to support WMU STEM curricula,
course-based undergraduate research experiences,
undergraduate internships, and faculty externships.

The STEM-WC is supported by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) from the U.S. Department of Education. There has been a strong emphasis of the importance of STEM education and the development of STEM workforce at the university and collegiate level in the U.S. Department of Education in the last three strategic plans to encourage economic growth and international competitiveness.

U.S. Department of Education Strategic Plans

Course-based undergraduate research experiences

A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) is a class where you can tackle research topics and generate innovative data. Beneficial to both faculty and students, CUREs help elevate the research experience through discovery and collaboration. Learn more about CUREs from Dr. Allison Witucki at the upcoming virtual CURE workshop.

Learn more about CUREs

Faculty externships

The faculty externship program is designed to allow for WMU faculty to spend time working with an industry partner in their field. This program allows faculty to learn what their students need to thrive in STEM fields and apply it the classroom.

Learn more about faculty externships

Microcredentials

In collaboration with WMU faculty, instructors and other on-campus partners, the STEM-WC is developing new microcredential programs at WMU that span several strategic topic areas. Microcredentials are oriented toward individuals working in industry, non-traditional students, community college students, high school teachers, and current WMU students.

Learn more about microcredentials