Western Michigan University
PA-6: Support for Underrepresented Groups

The Martin Luther King Jr. Academy is a four-tier comprehensive program designed to offer academic, social and professional development services that assist program participants from their first year at Western Michigan University through graduation. Each tier is designed to address particular developmental milestones associated with that phase of a student's matriculation. Western Michigan University's Steps Toward Exhibiting Mastery Program is designed to promote student success and to increase college graduation rates for academically and economically disadvantaged students. Eligible students are provided academic support through tutoring, mentoring, counseling, advising, multicultural activities, educational seminars, career and graduate school planning, and other resources designed to enhance their education and college experience, as well as to enable them to achieve a post-secondary degree. Funding for this program is provided by the State of Michigan King-Chávez-Parks Initiative. The purpose of the Western Michigan University College Assistance Migrant Program is to provide academic and financial support to assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers or their children in successfully completing their first undergraduate year at the University and continuing in their post-secondary education. The program provides students with academic assistance, tutoring, career counseling, financial assistance, leadership development, and personal and group counseling. Program participants also receive follow-up services after successful completion of their first year. The College Assistance Migrant Program at WMU is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Migrant Education. The Ready to Work Series was developed by the Office of LBGT Student Services to respond to the many social, cultural and legal barriers that exist for LBGT and ally people in the work place. The series includes programs such as the Resume Writing Workshop, The Job Interview, Career Mentorship Program and the Diversity Career and Community Involvement Fair. The First Year Pride Alliance program engages first-year students to prepare them for success at WMU by addressing many of the unique challenges facing LBGT and ally individuals. Participants learn about issues impacting the LBGT community and connect with the tools and support networks to thrive in a University environment.

Western Michigan University prohibits discrimination or harassment which violates the law or which constitutes inappropriate or unprofessional limitation of employment opportunity, University facility access, or participation in University activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, protected disability, veteran status, height, weight, or marital status.

http://www.wmich.edu/diversityandinclusion/lbgt/firstyearpride.html http://www.wmich.edu/diversityandinclusion/lbgt/ReadytoWork.htm