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Western Michigan emphasizes workforce outcomes, research growth and campus renewal as it seeks continued state support
Summary
Western Michigan University President outlined WMU's role as a major regional employer and research institution, highlighted growth toward R1 status, recent investments in facilities and workforce-aligned research areas, and said the university will provide figures on federal grants affected.
Western Michigan University President presented to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges and described WMU as a major regional employer that is expanding research and workforce-focused programs.
The president said WMU is positioning itself to attain Carnegie R1 status, reported more than $60,000,000 in external grants in the past year, and highlighted research areas including carbon capture, electric-vehicle battery development, concussion prevention, PFAS mitigation and artificial intelligence. He told the committee WMU generated 36 faculty and student patent filings this year and that about 95 percent of graduates were employed in their chosen field within six months, with a median starting salary he put at $82,400.
The presentation reviewed recent campus investments—new student housing, a renovated student center, an aviation education center and academic building renovations—and noted an upcoming privately owned athletic performance center. The president thanked state lawmakers for prior capital support and said those investments have helped the university reduce operating costs and modernize space.
When Representative Rogers asked how much federal grant funding WMU had lost or had frozen, the president said his staff would provide precise figures but estimated $8 million to $9 million had been lost to date.
No committee action followed the presentation.
