WMU opens office in Royal Oak

Western Michigan University is extending its presence into Metro Detroit by opening an office in Royal Oak. The university is also looking at partnering to open a campus in Royal Oak and possibly an office in downtown Detroit.

WMU choose Royal Oak because many of its competitor institutions of higher learning have offices in the likes of Troy, Auburn Hills, and Livonia. That left a big void in the heart of Oakland County that needed filling.

"A lot of the signs pointed toward Royal Oak," says Keith Hearit, vice provost for enrollment management at Western Michigan University. "It's also an area that is hip and young-people oriented."

WMU will occupy a suite of offices located at 32820 Woodward Ave., just south of 14 Mile Road. It will become the university's base of operations for student recruitment and alumni outreach. It will also offer coursework beginning this fall.

Hearit and other Western Michigan officials see the potential of partnering with the likes of Oakland Community College to open a joint campus in the city's center.

Source: Keith Hearit, vice provost for enrollment management at Western Michigan University
Writer: Jon Zemke
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