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New Western Michigan University president asks for continued partnership during Kalamazoo visit
Summary
Russ Cavalluna, the newly installed president of Western Michigan University, told the Kalamazoo City Commission on Sept. 15 that the university wants to expand partnerships with the city, particularly on student engagement, internships and shared economic vitality.
Russ Cavalluna, the newly installed president of Western Michigan University, addressed the Kalamazoo City Commission’s Committee of the Whole on Sept. 15, 2025, saying he seeks to strengthen long-standing partnerships between the university and the city and offering university support for community projects and student engagement.
Cavalluna—who identified himself as a WMU alumnus—told commissioners that the university and city are "symbiotic," and said, "When Western is healthy, Kalamazoo is healthy. And when Kalamazoo is healthy, Western is healthy." He invited the commission to continue partnering with the university on infrastructure, downtown economic work and community programs such as the Kalamazoo Literacy Council.
Commissioners responded by urging more direct student involvement in civic work. Commissioner Cooney thanked Cavalluna for entering dialogue on international issues and urged the university to expand student opportunities that connect academics to community needs. Commissioner Decker asked that student leaders visit Committee of the Whole meetings and suggested the university provide updates on student perspectives. Cavalluna said he would work to send student leaders to future meetings and to identify internship and service opportunities.
Vice Mayor Hess described Kalamazoo as an "education city" and urged a sustained, visible connection between students and downtown life to help recruit and retain students. Commissioners and the president also noted university events that bring visitors and activity to Kalamazoo, including homecoming and Comm University, which Cavalluna said occurs later in October.
Cavalluna spoke briefly about ongoing and past partnerships—citing student research support for a downtown economic study and long-term work with the Kalamazoo Literacy Council—and invited direct contact with his office for future collaboration. The president thanked the commission for hosting him and accepted invitations to deepen ties between campus and city offices.
The exchange produced no formal actions. Commissioners and Cavalluna agreed to follow up on student engagement, possible student presentations to the committee and continued collaboration on downtown and education-related initiatives.
