WMU-AAUP, President Kavalhuna launch scholarship to advance opportunity for first-generation students

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A new scholarship aimed at supporting first-generation college students at Western Michigan University has been established through an innovative partnership between the WMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (WMU-AAUP) and President Russ Kavalhuna.

“The WMU/AAUP Scholarship for First-Generation Students advances our belief in public higher education as a transformative force,” says Andrew Hennlich, the WMU-AAUP chapter president. “We are proud to stand with our campus partners to help Western students achieve their goals, both as scholars and as engaged citizens.”

The WMU/AAUP Scholarship for First-Generation Students will provide up to three awards of $5,000 each to students who are the first in their families to attend college. Recipients will have demonstrated academic success at WMU and will have shown a strong interest in advancing justice, peace, democracy or health through education.

“This initiative is what Bronco teamwork is all about, creating opportunities for students together,” Kavalhuna says. “I’m especially grateful to the WMU-AAUP membership for their spirit of partnership and shared conviction that education is a force for good. When we unite behind our mission, we multiply the impact we can have on our students and community.”

The scholarship fund was created with $4,500 from the WMU-AAUP, as approved by the organization’s executive committee, and $10,500 in personal contributions from President Kavalhuna.

The launch of the scholarship reflects continued collaboration between WMU-AAUP leadership and the University administration. In recent months, the organizations have reached agreements on matters from additional research travel funding to protective eyewear stipends for eligible faculty, demonstrating a shared commitment to supporting both faculty excellence and student opportunity.

More details on the scholarship application process will be available on the WMU and WMU-AAUP websites in the coming weeks.

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