Western Michigan University - Kalamazoo

It’s time to Rethink Smart!

At Western, you can seek a deeper understanding of who you are and who you’re meant to become. Beyond book smarts, your potential lies in your pursuit of purpose. It’s unleashed in a tenacity to question answers and the ability to think differently. It’s time to Rethink Smart. Are you ready?

Mission:

We are an access-oriented institution that provides an impactful and inclusive education that integrates discovery and fosters holistic growth and well-being "so that all may learn."

Vision:

We empower every person to grow, thrive and belong. We contribute to making the world a better place through creativity, research, innovation and compassion.

WMU makes decisions based on these five core values:

• Community-engaged: We collaborate with local and global partners with an emphasis on trust, respect, reciprocity and cultural humility.

• Discovery-driven: We pursue inquiry, disseminate knowledge and foster critical thinking that encourages lifelong learning.

• Equity-centered: We transform systems and remove barriers to ensure we represent, serve, include and empower every member of our community.

• Learner-focused: We challenge every member of our community to be responsive to and responsible for the education of our students by intentionally cultivating an engaging university experience that creates skilled, lifelong learners.

• Sustainability-guided: We serve our communities by discovering transformational, multidisciplinary solutions; being environmentally, socially and financially responsible; and improving the quality of life for current and future generations.

What makes Western Michigan different?

At Western, we’re redefining success as we expand what it means to be smart in an ever-changing world. Beyond preparing you for your career, perhaps the most special thing about Western is our approach to helping you find a deeper meaning and a better way of thinking. We believe a great education is about more than getting an A on an assignment.

It’s about also having purpose and creating a life well lived. It’s about knowing that failure is success in progress. It’s about preparing you for a meaningful life by helping you to pursue your purpose, thrive and prosper while making a meaningful impact on society.

Land acknowledgment statement:



Land acknowledgment is a process by which individuals are prompted to consider the history of the space they currently inhabit.

We would like to recognize that Western Michigan University is located on lands historically occupied by the Ojibwe, Odawa and Bodewadmi nations. Please take a moment to acknowledge and honor this ancestral land of the Three Fires Confederacy, the sacred lands of all Indigenous peoples and their continued presence.

Fast Facts:

We’ve rounded up a few impressive points that support why Western Michigan University is a smart choice to fulfill your potential.

• Top 100 in the nation for 6 grad programs - U.S News & World Report
• 1 of 133 public institutions classified as a high research university - Carnegie Foundation
• $35.4M in research grants - 2021-22
• Only Michigan institution in Campus Community Network for viewpoint diversity, open inquiry and constructive disagreement - Heterodox Academy
• Rare accreditation for top police agencies in Michigan - Michigan Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission est. 2021
• 17835 total enrollment (Fall 2022)
• 16 Division, varsity sports
• 250+ academic programs
• 90+ study abroad programs in 30 countries

Admission requirements vary from country to country. Kindly contact our admissions counsellor for more information!