WMU Students Help Crack Open Unsolved Cases

A Second Look at Cold Cases in Michigan

Some murders go unsolved. Some people go missing indefinitely. But these cold cases are getting fresh eyes in Michigan, thanks to Western Michigan University students who are teaming up with state police detectives to crack them back open. 

Launched in 2020, the Cold Case Program has given Western Michigan University (WMU) students hands-on experience with 88 homicide and missing-person cases. They’ve made a difference, helping Michigan State Police resolve seven cases and contributing to eight felony arrests. 

The students also are learning about public service, victim advocacy, and the complexities of justice. 

“This immersive experience of working side by side with detectives gives students firsthand insight into professional investigative practices and teaches them many things,” said Ashlyn Kuersten, a sociology professor at WMU who leads the program. “They see public service not as an abstract concept, but as a lived calling.” Kuersten is shown in the photo above, working with a student in the program. 

Two students who participated are now state troopers. Another six are in training to become troopers. 

State Trooper Shelby Wilmot said Kuersten “stands unmatched—not only for her expertise in the field, but for the lasting impact she has had on my life and future.” She credited Kuersten’s guidance with opening her eyes to a career in public service. “She consistently encouraged me to step far beyond my comfort zone, to engage meaningfully in the investigative process, and to consider how my skills and experiences could serve the public good,” Wilmot said.

WMU—with more than 16,000 students—is a public research university in Kalamazoo. It has been building Michigan and America since it was founded in 1903. 

For public safety, for public service: Higher education builds America.