Â鶹´«Ã½s observing the Advanced Design Wind Tunnel in the Applied Aerodynamics Laboratory.

STEM Workforce Collaboratory logo
The Â鶹´«Ã½ STEM Workforce Collaboratory (STEM-WC), a collaboration between the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, was built to advance WMU’s STEM programs and enhance the STEM pipeline and workforce. The STEM-WC directly funds the acquisition of 
equipment and technology to support WMU STEM curricula,
course-based undergraduate research experiences,
undergraduate internships, and faculty externships.

The STEM-WC is supported by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) from the U.S. Department of Education. There has been a strong emphasis of the importance of STEM education and the development of STEM workforce at the university and collegiate level in the U.S. Department of Education in the last three strategic plans to encourage economic growth and international competitiveness.

Course-based undergraduate research experiences

A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) is a class where you can tackle research topics and generate innovative data. Beneficial to both faculty and Â鶹´«Ã½s, CUREs help elevate the research experience through discovery and collaboration. Learn more about CUREs from Dr. Allison Witucki at the upcoming virtual CURE workshop.

Faculty externships

The faculty externship program is designed to allow for WMU faculty to spend time working with an industry partner in their field. This program allows faculty to learn what their Â鶹´«Ã½s need to thrive in STEM fields and apply it the classroom.

Microcredentials

In collaboration with WMU faculty, instructors and other on-campus partners, the STEM-WC is developing new microcredential programs at WMU that span several strategic topic areas. Microcredentials are oriented toward individuals working in industry, non-traditional Â鶹´«Ã½s, community college Â鶹´«Ã½s, high school teachers, and current WMU Â鶹´«Ã½s.