WMU B ronco Advocacy Network
October 2017

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 
  • Friday, Oct. 13--WMU Homecoming Weekend. Information.
  • Thursday, Sept. 26--Secretary of State providing services on campus. Information.
     
  • Tuesday, Nov. 7--Election Day. 
     
  • Fall legislative session schedules:
     
Amazon's HQ in Seattle, WA
WMU pitches in to help Michigan attract Amazon's second headquarters

Amazon, the online retailing giant, has issued a Request for Proposal for the establishment of a second world headquarters that the company projects will provide 50,000 jobs with an average salary of $100,000.

The State of Michigan is working hard to woo the company to Michigan, and WMU is helping. The company's No. 1 need is TALENT, and that's our specialty. We are helping to identify the University's capacity for contributing to the the development of the company's workforce to support the state in its efforts.
Seita scholar testifies about unique scholarship program at WMU

(l-r) Maddy Day, Bri Simmons and
Dr. Linda Schmidt at the Capitol
WMU Seita Scholar Bri Simmons testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education in Lansing on October 5 about the positive impact the scholarship program has had on her academic journey.

Simmons', a senior majoring in social work and peer leader in the Seita program, was the only student on the five-member panel that presented before the subcommittee. She was accompanied by Maddy Day, director of outreach and training with WMU's Center for Fostering Success and Dr. Linda Schmidt, WMU assistant professor of social work. 

"Bri provided compelling testimony to the committee that not only represented youth with experience in foster care, but also first-generation students who greatly benefit from the work of Michigan's College Access program," Day said. "The committee was so appreciative to have a student share her experiences."
Congratulations to Simmons and to everyone supporting her leadership development! 

The Seita Scholars Program is nationally recognized for providing a wide variety of support services at the University to former foster care students enrolled who have aged out of foster care programs. Information.
Local legislator takes first in
WMU Dancing with the Stars 

They say that a good politician can dance around anything. Apparently that's true. 

State Representative Jon Hoadley and his student dance partner, Tara Charvat, were the winners of this year's WMU Dancing with the Stars competition. Jon burned up the shoe leather to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B! Watch Hoadley cut a rug here.

Thanks to Jon for his efforts to raise scholarship dollars for WMU students!

Legislation we are tracking

The Michigan Legislature is considering legislation that will require all high school counselors to have additional professional development covering college preparation and selection and career counseling.

The legislation has passed the Michigan House of Representatives and is awaiting final action in the Senate. This legislation will provide welcome assistance to high school students looking to plan
their futures.

Be in the know about legislation impacting WMU--join the network 

Network provides easy tracking of higher education legislation

Did you know that as a member of the Bronco Advocacy Network you can monitor legislation the WMU Office of Government Affairs is following? It's true, and it's free to join.

One of the many benefits of being a network member is the ability to track, categorize, and comment on legislation affecting WMU. Currently you can monitor Senate Bill 253, which is legislation that authorizes a capital outlay project at the College of Aviation, or House Bill 4028, which would prohibit collection of sales tax on higher education text books.  

Additionally, you can easily pull up names and contact information for the state and federal legislators who represent you and correspond with legislators within the platform.

The network is a great tool to stay informed of the policies that matter to the U and you--give it a try!    Information .
Large grant supports leadership development in 
high-poverty West Michigan schools 

Two longtime school leadership researchers at Western Michigan University will use one of the largest single grants ever awarded to the University for a three-year effort aimed at intense school leadership development in high-poverty schools across West Michigan.

A $12.5 million award from the U.S. Department of Education will fund the High-Impact Leadership for School Renewal Project, led by
Dr. Patricia Reeves, associate professor, and  Dr. Jianping Shen ,
the John E. Sandberg Professor of Education and the Gwen Frostic Endowed Chair, in WMU's Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology. The project focuses on two major outcomes--developing a strong pool of practicing school leaders and improving student achievement. Read more at WMU News .
WMU BTR Park partner to expand design center 

New Jersey-based  Newell Brands will expand its 40,000-square-foot design center in Kalamazoo, located in Western Michigan University's  Business Technology and Research Park , according to Southwest Michigan First, a Kalamazoo-based economic development agency.

  The Fortune 500 company is investing $7.3 million toward the addition. Read more.

Contact us at (269) 387-2072 or write:

bln-contact@wmich.edu 
WMU Magazine