Haworth College of Business

05/28/2026

Over 40 years, Geralyn Heystek, watched first-year students grow into confident professionals—and eventually into the leaders and hiring managers now calling the Zhang Career Center. As director since 2013, she built programs that connected students with employers, mentored them through professional and personal challenges, and shaped careers that still come full circle.

"What I value most is that I can be instrumental in teaching students foundational skills," says Heystek. "I enjoy helping students grow. It is amazing to see." From the Business Externship Program to retention research to everyday mentorship, her fingerprints are all over WMU Haworth's career infrastructure—each initiative designed with students at the center.

This summer, Heystek retires to travel with her partner, reconnect with family and pursue creative passions. She plans to stay connected through volunteer work at WMU. Her impact on generations of Business Broncos will undoubtedly live on!

Full story:

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05/27/2026

Dr. Russell Zwanka, director of WMU Haworth's food marketing program, weighs in on why global food trends are captivating consumers—and why that matters.

His insights are featured in a story about Oreo's new BTS-inspired cookies, a limited-edition collaboration that combines Korean culture with global appeal.

"You can experience the world without spending $2,000 on a ticket," Zwanka told the The Associated Press, explaining why consumers are increasingly seeking authentic global flavors. "People have a much more proactive stance on trying to find flavors they can attribute to certain regions of the world. I think that's beautiful. It's the way the world should be."

Read the full story:

Oreo is teaming up with K-pop supergroup BTS to capitalize on consumers’ growing interest in global flavors.

05/26/2026

Business Bronco Spotlight🐴: Maddie Suttle, SHRM-CP brought human warmth to the world of HR throughout her time at WMU Haworth. The recent human resource management graduate gained hands-on experience and built meaningful connections along the way.

As an HR intern at Kalamazoo RESA, Maddie worked on job postings, recruiting events and strategic HR initiatives within the education sector. She also served as director of professional events for the SEHR WMU (Society for Excellence in Human Resources).

Maddie earned her Society for Human Resources Certified Professional (SHRM) credential and crafted an honors thesis on emotional labor and burnout in HR under Dr. Chen Wang.

Reflecting on her experience, she shares: "Connecting with students who share similar interests and are motivated to grow has been one of the most meaningful parts of my experience at WMU Haworth."

Get to know Maddie:

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05/22/2026

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Department of Marketing scholarship and award recipients! 🏆️

These students and many others have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership and commitment to the field of marketing. We're proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of all our honorees.

Thank you to our donors and supporters who make these scholarships and awards possible. Your investment in our students creates opportunities that last a lifetime.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to our newly commissioned Second Lieutenants!

Earlier this month, WMU Haworth's Department of Military Science and Leadership celebrated 13 cadets who earned their commissions as officers in the U.S. Army.

These leaders are ready to serve our nation with honor and distinction. Thank you for your commitment! Broncos lead the way!

05/20/2026

"I've never met a WMU student I did not like." After 28 years, Dr. Ann Veeck means it.

The marketing professor is retiring this summer. Her research on China's evolving family and food marketing systems has spanned three decades. She co-authored the textbook Marketing Research, now in its 10th edition. She's earned top teaching and research awards, including WMU's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2022.

Veeck loved teaching marketing research and analytics because the material stayed fresh. Technology and methods evolved constantly, even as core concepts remained stable.

Teaching was never one-way for her. "My biggest takeaway as an instructor has been how much I have learned from my students. The classroom has continually challenged me to refine my thinking and grow alongside each new cohort."

She'll continue her research in retirement, this time without competing deadlines. Her take on nearly three decades at WMU? "It has been fun."

Thank you, Dr. Veeck, for your commitment to our students and your contributions!

Full story:
https://wmich.edu/business/news/2026/05/ann-veeck-retirement

05/19/2026

Business Bronco Spotlight🐴: From Coorg, India, to Kalamazoo, Michigan, Dhyan Bopanna is building bridges between global markets.

A fourth-generation coffee producer, Dhyan is bringing authentic Indian coffee to the U.S. through his family business. Already successful in Australia, Oman and Portugal, he enrolled in the dual MBA program with Christ University and WMU Haworth to expand his brand across the U.S., U.K. and India.

The program has given him more than business skills. He's gained global exposure, built meaningful connections with potential partners in Michigan and learned to apply classroom lessons to his business in real time.

As he prepares to graduate this fall, Dhyan reflects on his goal: "I want to help small businesses in the U.S. enter other global markets like India, and push the younger generation to be more connected to the planet, people and profit."

Read Dhyan's journey:

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05/18/2026

Data drives decisions. Business analytics student Arshpreet Singh saw this firsthand as a civic data analyst for Discover Kalamazoo.

Working through the Broncos Lead Internship Program, Arshpreet analyzed geolocation data for local hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail shops. He assessed how events like Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week drove foot traffic to local businesses and provided actionable recommendations to business owners and city leaders.

"I wanted more than just classroom knowledge, and this program felt like the perfect bridge between academics and the professional world," says Arshpreet, who graduates in fall 2026.

His work analyzing real-world tourism data will directly inform future business decisions across the Kalamazoo area.

Learn more about Arshpreet's impact:

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05/15/2026

Business Bronco Spotlight🐴: Leena Shrum believes in one simple rule: never be the first person to tell yourself no.

The recent food marketing graduate put that philosophy into practice throughout her time at WMU Haworth. As a sales and marketing intern at Acosta, she worked with the business insights team interpreting data, created content for Meijer's website and presented a category review at their headquarters.

Leena also studied abroad in Ireland, where she visited companies to learn about their innovation processes and expanded her perspective as a global citizen.

Her take on making the most of college? "Try everything, get involved and take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. Allow yourself to experiment and change your mind too. College is about understanding who you are."

See Leena's full story:

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05/13/2026

After 24 years of coaching students to success, Dr. JoAnn Atkin is retiring from WMU Haworth.

"Dr. J," as students know her, built a career defined by relationships that lasted decades. She advised AdClub and the WMU American Marketing Association, created the Bronco Connect in-house marketing agency with Lisa Garcia that employed 50 student interns, and earned multiple teaching and service awards along the way.

The WMU Athletic Department named her "Most Valuable Professor" four consecutive years for her dedication to student-athletes. She became known for her hockey cupcake tradition, bringing treats to the team after every weekend sweep.

"Playing a role in a student's personal and professional growth is the most rewarding part of being a professor," says Atkin. "Every year something magical happens that gets stored in my memory bank. Relationships that last decades are something you can't put a price tag on."

Thank you, Dr. J, for 24 years of mentorship, dedication and impact. You've shaped countless Business Broncos who carry your lessons with them!

Read more about Dr. Atkin's career:

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05/12/2026

Three food marketing students earned scholarships from Grocery Manufacturers' Representatives of Grand Rapids.

Grace Carlyle, Samantha Shaffer and Samantha Steiner have maximized their time in the program through internships, industry conferences, study abroad and leadership roles.

"WMU isn't just preparing me academically," says Steiner. "It's giving me the confidence, connections and real-world experience to pursue opportunities I once thought were out of reach."

Conratulations, Grace, Samantha and Samantha!

Read their stories:

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