The WMU Office of Government Affairs manages the network
and works on behalf of WMU to strengthen relationships
with state, federal, and local policy makers.

  UPCOMING EVENTS 
  • Governor Rick Snyder's final State of the State address, Tuesday, Jan. 23. Live stream
     
  • WMU Board of Trustees, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, Heritage Hall. Information
     
  • WMU Government and Nonprofit Fair, 1-4 p.m., Friday, Feb. 16, Bernhard Center. Information.
     
  • Western & Wine alumni event, 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, Heritage Hall. Information.
Former Rutgers VP takes research reins
 

Western Michigan University welcomed  Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy, formerly of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, as WMU's new vice president for research on Jan. 8.

In addition to leading Rutgers' campuswide research efforts, Kinzy served as a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and pediatrics. She joined Rutgers' Robert Wood Johnson Medical School faculty in 1995.  Internationally known for her work in the area of gene expression, Kinzy has served as director of the RWJMS/Rutgers/Princeton University M.D./Ph.D. program, executive director of the medical school's DNA Core Facility, and senior associate dean of its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Research.

Read more at WMU News .
Management professor and administrator named business dean
 
Dr. Satish Deshpande , a longtime Western Michigan University faculty member and administrator, started his tenure as dean of WMU's Haworth College of Business on Jan. 1.

A professor of management, Deshpande has served as the interim dean of the college since July 2016. Prior to that, he served for five years-2011 to 2016-as the college's associate dean for operations and graduate programs.

Read more at 
WMU News.

WMU grads score big entering job market

The 2016-17 version of WMU's annual Postgraduation Success Survey--the most comprehensive such data gathered and published by any public university in Michigan--shows that a full 91 percent of 2016-17 graduates are actively engaged in the next steps of their career paths. 

Active engagement is defined as employed full or part time, in the military, or in graduate school. A full 77 percent of those graduates who are employed full time are working in Michigan. Read more at WMU News.
President Montgomery funds ideas to transform student life 


A campuswide call for ideas that transform the way Western Michigan University serves students has led to an announcement by WMU President Edward Montgomery of funding for two initiatives--designed to build a stronger sense of belonging and community among all students--beginning this fall.

In a message to the campus community Jan. 9, Montgomery unveiled two endeavors that he will fund through a Transformational Initiatives Fund he set up last fall:
  • Success @ WMU 
     
  • Esports @ WMU

Matching dollars will be added by WMU vice presidents of the relevant areas. 

 

Read more at WMU News.

Pscholka stepping down as budget director

Al Pscholka, a former state representative, will step down as Michigan's state budget director effective Feb. 28. Prior to assuming the budget director position, he served three terms in the House of Representatives as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. In 2015, Pscholka was named "Most Effective" member of the House by the Michigan Information and Research Services (MIRS). 

Pscholka graduated from WMU in 1984 and started his career in broadcasting, working as a news anchor/reporter for WMUK. Read more in Crain's Detroit Business magazine.

Bronco gubernatorial appointments

Congratulations to these Broncos recently appointed or reappointed to a Michigan board or commission.

Appointments
  • Jamie Zaniewski, of Howell, Michigan Public Health Advisory Commission.
     
  • Kathleen Forzley, of Troy, Michigan Public Health Advisory Commission.
     
  • Margeaux Bruner, of Northville, Impaired Driving Safety Commission.
     
  • Jeffrey Spencer of Davisburg, State Construction Code Commission.
Reappointments
  • Michael Chafty, of Kalamazoo, Board of Medicine. 
Who's running for Congress in Michigan?


With three open Congressional seats and several competitive primary races throughout the state, 2018 promises to be an interesting election year in Michigan. Read more in this 

Not sure who the legislators are that represent your home districts? Find out via the "Find Legislator" page of the Bronco Advocacy Network website through a simple search based on your address. Website.

Parent dashboard for school transparency launched by MDE

The Michigan Department of Education officially launched its parent transparency dashboard that will now serve as the accountability measure for schools moving forward. 

The website,  MISchoolData.org/ParentDashboard , provides a quick look at eight measures for each school and allows more in-depth looks at much of that data, as well as data related to postsecondary education. Visit the website to learn more about enrollment totals, pupil:teacher ratios, school rankings, student counts, and more.
Advocate for your favorite university

Friends of WMU is a grassroots, bipartisan state political action committee of Broncos helping Broncos, which was established to promote the interests of Western Michigan University. Learn how you can be more engaged as a WMU supporter on the Friends of WMU  website.