Budding engineer ready to create career opportunities at Western

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Jonathan Malone is passionate about learning new things. Getting his hands on a guitar or pursuing a growing interest in photography are on his list for the future. But first, he's ready to learn how to navigate college.

"I'm excited about everything! Being away from home, being on my own, the responsibility," says Malone, eager with anticipation to be part of the Western Michigan University Class of 2029 in the fall. 

He's pursuing a major in mechanical engineering, and while technically a first-year student, he's already earned several credits toward his degree through a dual enrollment partnership between WMU and Grand Rapids Public Schools that allows students to enroll in courses at the University's downtown Grand Rapids campus free of charge.

"Dual enrollment probably had the single biggest impact on my path to academic success," he says, acknowledging the leg up it gave him on his college journey. "It basically gave me a demo college experience. And the credits I've earned were a massive incentive."

Malone, who graduated in the spring from Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, will hit the ground running in his major the minute he moves onto Western's campus as part of the Engineering House Living Learning Community, one of several residential options that allows students to live with peers who have similar interests and offers tailored programming, holistic support and academic resources.

"When I learned about (the Engineering House), there was a strong emphasis on easy access to study groups. We're only a room away and taking the same classes, and a place to study is only down the hall," he says.

As a recipient of the Bronco Connect Scholarship, Malone will also have access to the career preparation and academic, social and financial support provided to students who reside in the Bronco Connect Living Learning Community.

Building a foundation

Malone has always been interested in technology, and when he heard Western's dual enrollment program in Grand Rapids offered several engineering courses, he jumped at the opportunity to get involved.

"I didn't have a lot of knowledge of what engineering entailed before I took these courses, so I ended up getting a lot of insight into what I could potentially be doing in a job in engineering through Western. And it confirmed I really liked it," he says. 

"I also love how broad it is as a field; a degree in engineering opens up several unique job opportunities."

Malone especially enjoys the hands-on nature of the field and relished the chance to roll up his sleeves right away and learn in the AMP Lab @WMU, a state-of-the-art manufacturing laboratory giving the next generation of engineers access to prototyping and manufacturing technologies and spaces.

"Being able to not only learn about the machines but actually use them was so exciting," he says. "And they have so many machines! My favorite was the lathe."

Getting involved

While engineering is definitely a passion for Malone, he's looking forward to getting the full college experience at Western—what he'll learn in the classroom and out.

He can't wait to check out Bronco Bash, the unofficial kickoff to the school year at Western, and all the registered student organizations (RSOs), club sports, academic units, campus resources and local businesses that will be represented.

"It's a welcoming event that will give me a lot of insight into student organizations—and lots of free stuff!" he laughs.

One RSO he plans to join is the Black Student Union. 

"Joining the BSU will help me find strong connections and a sense of community," he says, emphasizing the importance of "finding people who can relate to my perspective on a deeper level."

With experience as the leader of his high school's Dungeons and Dragons Club, an affinity for video games and a big love of blues and R&B music, Malone could also see himself getting involved in a group representing those interests. He'll have plenty to choose from—Western has more than 400 RSOs—and if it doesn't already exist, students are encouraged to start their own group.

"I'm just excited to get to campus and explore," he says. 

Meet more of the First-Year Faces ready to join Bronco Nation.

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