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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—More than 1,000 sixth-grade students in the Kalamazoo Public Schools' Class of 2024 will tour Western Michigan University for a day on a school-by-school basis and participate in free activities on campus beginning Monday, March 19, and continuing through Thursday, March 29. 

For the ninth year in a row, students will get a firsthand look at college life and the opportunities available with a college education through a program called Bronco BUDS—Building Unique Dynamic Students. Through the initiative, the University partners with KPS to encourage early middle school students to set their sights on college and take advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise tuition scholarship program.

During the month, KPS will transport all of the district's sixth-graders to 51¸£ÀûÉç for a day to engage in hands-on activities related to choosing a college career and to take a University tour. The latter includes visits to a classroom and residence hall. Students also eat lunch at a campus dining hall. KPS students are guided through their college experience by 51¸£ÀûÉç students and staff. Many of the college-student guides are Kalamazoo Promise scholarship recipients themselves.

The Bronco BUDS is reinforced with programs each year that continue as students move toward high school graduation.

For more information, contact Cheruba Daniel, doctoral graduate assistant coordinator of college visitation activities for the 51¸£ÀûÉç Office of Diversity and Inclusion, at @email or (269) 387-6325.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.