Spring 2026 lineup announced for Custer Speaker Series 

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Michigan University is hosting five events for its spring 2026 Custer Speaker Series, featuring speakers from across the country to inform WMU about various subjects relating to topics across the college.  

With topics ranging from post-graduate guidance to additive manufacturing, inorganic nanostructures, thermal desalination and membrane distillation, and electrospray thrusters, this semester’s Custer Speaker Series lineup is packed with valuable information for students, faculty, staff and the community.  

Open to the public, the speaker series is designed for students and community members to hear from professionals on topics that broaden attendees’ understanding of the world and add depth to experiences. It is also an opportunity for WMU alumni and community members to engage with students, potential future employees.  

Spring 2026 events

"Bridging the Gap Between College and Career"

Feb. 20 at 1 p.m., Parkview Room (D-132), Floyd Hall

Speaker: Jacob Moeckler, founder of Coach Jacob LLC
 

"Multiscale Modeling of Electrospray Ion Beams and Beam-Surface Interactions"

Feb. 24 at 2:30 p.m., Room D-109, Floyd Hall

Speaker: Dr. Elaine Petro, assistant professor at Cornell University
 

"Reprogramming Natural Light-Driven Mechanisms with Inorganic Nanostructures"

March 26 at 11 a.m., Parkview Room (D-132), Floyd Hall

Speaker: Dr. Elena A. Rozhkova, staff scientist and principal investigator for the Center for Nanoscale Materials at Argonne National Laboratory
 

"The Benefits of Additive Manufacturing for Development of the Next Generation Electric Machines"

April 15 at 1 p.m., Parkview Room (D-132), Floyd Hall

Speaker: Dr. Shanelle Foster, associate professor at Michigan State University
 

"Next-Generation Thermal Desalination and Membrane Technologies for Clean Water"

April 20 at 11 a.m., Parkview Room (D-132), Floyd Hall

Speaker: Dr. Lucy Mar Camacho, program director of the environmental engineering and sustainability cluster of the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems Division of the National Science Foundation, and associate professor at Texas A&M University–Kingsville
 

Learn more about each of these spring 2026 events on the Custer Speaker Series webpage.  

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.