Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University forge agreement for automatic Lee Honors College invitation

Kellogg Community College and Western Michigan University are expanding their longstanding partnership with the establishment of a new agreement that will extend an automatic invitation to the Western Michigan University Lee Honors College for qualified students who are transferring to the university from Kellogg Community College.

According to an article on Kellogg Community College’s website, Russ Kavalhuna, who serves as the president of Western Michigan University, was quoted as saying of the agreement, “WMU is honored to build on our established partnership with KCC by creating a clear path for Bruin honors students to complete their degrees at WMU’s Lee Honors College. This agreement sets high standards for honors education and student success, while expanding pathways to Experience-Driven Learning — an education that equips them to lead meaningful careers and fulfilling lives.”

At a signing event on October 1, 2025, Kavalhuna attended along with numerous representatives from the university and Dr. Paul R. Watson, who serves as the president of Kellogg Community College and other college representatives. It marks the latest in a long line of agreements and initiatives throughout the institutions’ partnership, which includes an institution-level articulation agreement, as well as several program-specific articulation agreements.

This newest agreement will grant automatic invitation into the university’s Lee Honors College for qualified transfer students from Kellogg Community College. In order to be eligible, students must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.5 and have completed at least 26 college credits. Students will also have to be admitted to Western Michigan University before the Lee Honors College invitation is extended. Students who are members of Lee Honors College receive special benefits like early course selection, travel experiences, honors programming and scholarships, and the publication of their honors thesis.

Watson said, “This new agreement between two longtime institutional partners will ensure students are successful and supported as they finish their honors program at KCC and transition to the honors program at WMU. We are proud to work with WMU to uphold rigorous academic standards and highlight a pathway for sustained excellence.”

For more information about Kellogg Community College, visit the school’s website.