Student Spotlight: Colten Baran

The Sounds of Husky Nation

Colten discovered WMTU, Michigan Tech’s student-run radio station, during his first year. After the pandemic disrupted his high school experience, he wanted college to feel different. At WMTU, he found friends and a reason to get involved.

As the station's general manager, Baran focuses on practical leadership. He ensures teams have the resources they need, facilitates meetings, appoints new members and keeps operations as enjoyable as possible for everyone involved.

Colten feels his engineering management coursework directly supports his leadership style. "WMTU is where business skills meet real stakes," he said. "You learn to lead friends as colleagues, give feedback without making it personal, and keep an operation running."

When he's not leading WMTU, Baran takes the mic as host of "The Zookeeper," a variety show featuring a crew of DJs who blend music, humor, and campus culture.

Learn more about Colten’s WMTU experience, his co-hosts, and life behind the mic..

Degrees That Matter

Explore deeply. Create fearlessly. Graduate ready to lead. With small class sizes and personal connections with world-class faculty, a Michigan Tech education is like no other. Explore our academic programs and create the future with us.

Real Experience, Real Learning

At Tech, you'll learn by doing. In our undergraduate degree programs, we prioritize collaboration and experiential learning. Plus, Huskies always stick together. When you join Husky Nation, we make sure that you have the support you need to earn a premier technological education.

Huskies Get Hired

Michigan Tech supports you in your career journey by connecting you with employers who are actively looking to hire Huskies for co-ops, internships, and full-time jobs. Annual Career Fairs in the fall and spring draw as many as 1,700 recruiters from up to 415 companies, agencies, and nonprofits from around the country. At Tech, you'll earn a degree that pays you back.

Are you ready?

You've put in the work. Now it's time to choose a university that will challenge you to go further. If you're motivated to learn by doing, take on real problems, and build what's next, you're ready to start your application to Michigan Technological University.

Visit and Explore

The best way to see if Michigan Tech is right for you is to visit our campus in Houghton, Michigan. If you can't visit in person, take a virtual tour or explore our interactive campus map.