WMU College of Aviation

Dace Copeland

Business Manager

Dace is a 1976 (BS Elementary Education/Music) and 1996 (MA Teaching in the Elementary School) graduate of Western Michigan University. She has worked at the university since 1982 holding positions in the Department (now School) of Communication, Department of Industrial Technology and Education (later Department of Engineering Technology), the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences dean's office, the Provost's Office, Extended University Programs Dean's office and most recently the College of Aviation. The balance of her employment with Western has been in the role of business manager. Dace is of Latvian descent, and her free time is spent on her "other life", which includes various long standing volunteer positions in the Latvian community in Kalamazoo as well as on the international level. Dace is the recipient of the Cross of Recognition conferred on her by the Republic of Latvia. The Cross of Recognition is awarded for outstanding patriotism and achievements for the good of the nation, society, culture, science, sports and education and include loyal and dedicated civil service or work in local authorities, exemplary and honest performance of work, public service, strengthening of the national spirit, volunteerism or economic development.

RoseElla Lyke

Testing Center Coordinator

Beth Beaudin-Seiler

Research Associate

Beth M. Beaudin-Seiler has been working at the College of Aviation at Western Michigan University since 1999 in a variety of positions and began her researching role by trying to understand correlations between cognitive ability and success in the flight training program at Western Michigan University. In 2005 accepted job responsbilities as a research associate for a multi-million dollar grant project funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation with matching funds from Battle Creek Unlimited and The Forest Park Foundation. Beth continues to work on research in the areas of flight training and identifying markers of success in the program at WMU. Beth earned her Associates Degree in Business as a Para-legal from Lansing Community College in 1995; a Bachelor of Arts in Interpersonal Communications and Criminal Justice from Western Michigan University in 1999 and a Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University in December, 2006.

Tracey Henry

Administrative Assistant to the Dean

Tracey began her career at WMU as Compensation Coordinator in the Department of Human Resources in September of 1995. In July of 2000, Tracey went on to serve as Executive Assistant to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In February of 2004, Tracey accepted the Administrative Assistant to the Dean position at her favorite WMU college. Having a great love for aviation, and being a resident of Battle Creek, the long awaited opportunity to serve in the College of Aviation could not be disregarded. Tracey enjoys the many opportunities to meet and work with various Battle Creek community leaders, potential students and their families, and the faculty, staff and students of the University. Her responsibilities also include assisting in coordination of special events, such as the annual cookout during the Field of Flight Air Show, community events, and VIP visits to the college. However, her primary responsibility is providing administrative support to the Dean and Associate Dean.Prior to coming to WMU, Tracey also worked for almost seven years at the University of Michigan. First, in the Law Library, then in the Department of Anesthesiology at the U of M Medical Center. Tracey is always available to you, should you have any questions or need assistance.

Karen Dean

Administrative Assistant to the Faculty Chairman & Special Events Coordinator

Karen has over 20 years of experience as an executive secretary/administrative assistant. On March 31, 1999, she began her career at WMU on main campus in Kalamazoo as the Operations Coordinator for Study Abroad in the Office of International Affairs. Karen transferred to the College of Aviation in Battle Creek a year later. She performs administrative duties for the faculty chairman and members of the faculty, coordinates special events, and is the building coordinator for the education center. Prior to coming to WMU, she worked as an Administrative Assistant for 12 years at the Kellogg Company. Karen maintains a 4.0 grade point average at Kellogg Community College where she has taken secretarial and computer classes. She also holds a Certification in Information/Word Processing from Argubright Business College and has attended over 20 professional development courses. Feel free to make Karen your initial contact for information about the college, for tours, etc., and she will be happy to assist you.

Leisa Perry

Kalamazoo Campus Office Associate

Leisa began working in the aviation department during the summer of 1983. She has been an active participant in the growth of the college from a department within the College of Engineering & Applied Sciences to its present status as a stand alone college. During her lengthy tenure, Leisa has occupied many positions such as dispatcher, scheduler, administrative assistant to the faculty chair, and assistant to the business manager. Currently she is located in the college's main office on campus at 2210 Kohrman Hall. She provides administrative support for the director of advising, the campus faculty, and cheerfully assists students with their questions and concerns when they call or drop by the office.

Aletta Roebuck

Coordinator of Student Data

Aletta began working at the College of Aviation in August 1999. Her job responsibilities at that time were related to the International Pilot Training Center's program and has had various other responsibilities over the years at the College of Aviation. Currently she processes all flight applications from new and returning flight students, registering them for the appropriate ground school and flight labs as well as monitoring their flight account in Dispatch. She also schedules and maintains the JET course application process, serves as a proctor for the Lasergrade testing center, which offers computer based testing for not only the FAA knowledge tests, but for the federal TSA, as well as a number of other company tests. Aletta earned her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Western Michigan University in 1992 and is currently pursuing her Masters in the Blindness and Low Visions Studies program at Western Michigan University. You may contact her with questions regarding applications,registration, or flight account issues.

Linda Dillon

Office Coordinator

Linda Dillon joined the College of Aviation in December 2005. She currently holds the position of Office Associate. Prior to coming to the COA, she was employed by a major airline in their flight operations office, as well as in customer service. She also has many years of experience as a legal assistant and travel agent. Linda resides with her husband, Bob, in Battle Creek. They have 2 grown daughters.

Anne Fry

Manager of Aviation Dispatch and Scheduling

Annie has been with the College of Aviation since 1999. She began as an Admin Asst to the Chief Ground Instructor for the International Pilot Training Centre. In September 2002, Annie began working as the Scheduler for Flight Operations. She was key in the implementation of ETA (Education and Training Administration) and currently serves as the System Administrator. Over the last few years, Annie has worked diligently on training and expanding the knowledge base necessary to keep ETA running smoothly. Annie is currently working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Science and Administration from Western Michigan University.

Joe Guilfoyle

Facilities Manager

Patrick Vail

Finance Analyst

Patrick comes to us after interning for the City of Kalamazoo in the Purchasing Department. He is a graduate of Valparaiso University in Indiana and has a degree in Finance. In his free time, Patrick enjoys baseball, disc golf and spending time with friends and family. The finance analyst’s job in the College of Aviation is broken down into four major categories: budget and financial, payroll, human resources processing, and administrative. The finance analyst is an integral part of the dean’s office and college team and assists the business manager of the college.