Bronco back in the saddle focused on alumni experience

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Spend five minutes with Heather Stanley, BA ’99, and it’s clear that Western’s alumni community is in the capable hands of someone whose heart beats for the brown and gold.

Stanley brings palpable energy, enthusiasm and school pride to the role of senior director of alumni experience. After 25 years in K-12 education and a stint on the WMU Alumni Association Board of Directors, she felt called home to her alma mater.

“Serving on the board deepened my already strong connection to the University,” Stanley says. “Meeting and working alongside incredible Bronco alumni reinforced how meaningful it is to give back to the place that shaped me.

“When this position was posted last summer, I initially viewed it through the lens of finding the right candidate,” she continues. “Then I had a light-bulb moment: Maybe I could be the right candidate.”

Her career shift and move across the state came at just the right time.

“The transition has been exhilarating, exhausting and encouraging all at once,” she says, “but above all, I feel honored and grateful to serve in this capacity.”

Both an alumna and a frequent flyer at WMU events, Stanley recognizes that every Bronco’s connection to the University evolves. “The ways in which someone connects in their first decade after graduation may look completely different from how they engage 30 years later,” she says. “And engagement should reflect that.

“Many Broncos also live far from campus and experience the University differently,” she continues. “We need to ensure they still feel connected, valued and engaged.”

Though new to her current role, Stanley is well-versed in relationship building. As an educational coach, teacher and mother, she’s made a lasting impact on the personal and professional growth of others.

“Whether it’s my daughter, former students, colleagues or those I coached as an educational consultant, seeing people grow and achieve their goals, and knowing I played even a small role in that, has been incredibly rewarding,” she says.

Stanley leans on the wisdom she gained from being a student and resident assistant (RA) to this very day. “Much of what I needed to know to succeed in life, I actually learned as an RA here,” she says. “It taught me about myself, about embracing different perspectives and about the importance of conflict resolution and community building.”

Returning to Western wasn’t something she’d anticipated, but the universe had other plans. “It wasn’t on my life bingo card,” she jokes. “But it’s been such an unexpected and wonderful opportunity.”

Eager to build meaningful alumni experiences and strengthen Bronco spirit far and wide, Stanley shares more about her position and love for Western in the Q&A below.