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November 17, 2022
The Briefing
News for friends of the
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Message from the dean

Interim Dean Watkins-Hayes portrait

Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes shares updates from a lively fall semester
Read the message »

  New facult news teaser image

Celebrating former dean Rebecca (Becky) Blank

Faculty, staff, and students celebrated the naming of the Ford School's central gathering place in Weill Hall for former dean Rebecca Blank. Blank joined the event virtually to reflect on her time as dean and offer lessons for aspiring leaders. Read More »

 
   


Top news

Photo of Weill Hall

Dean search committee announced

U-M Provost Laurie McCauley appointed a 14 member advisory committee to conduct a broad search and recommend candidates to become the next Joan and Sanford Weill Dean.
More »

Photo of Jessica Gillooly

Gillooly receives 2022 Raymond Vernon Memorial Award

Jessica Gillooly (PhD '20) was recognized with a top APPAM award for her research, "Lights and Sirens: Variation in 911 Call-Taker Risk Appraisal and its Effects on Police Officer Perceptions at the Scene."
More »

Photo of two groups of three holding an American flag on the left and a Ukrainian flag on the right

Investing in Ukrainian entrepreneurs

Samuel Ashley (MPP/MBA '22) established a new venture fund to support Ukrainian tech entrepreneurs—and he invites you to help.
More »

Photo of various flags

International internships

Developing a cultural and educational programming strategy for the U.S. Embassy to Libya, writing climate change factsheets for the UN International Organization for Migration, and meeting President Biden at the U.S. Embassy in South Korea—a few examples of our students' summer internship experiences.
More »

Alumni Board meeting spring 2022

Vote now for Alumni Board

Read the latest update from alumni board chair Naomi Goldberg (MPP '08) and remember to vote in the alumni board election! More »



NOV
17

Ford School alumni reception @ APPAM
Washington, DC alumni are invited to network and socialize with friends and faculty. Luke Shaefer, associate dean for academic affairs, will share greetings from Ann Arbor and updates from the school.

NOV
30

Lead in the water
Join Professor Brian Jacob, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, and Dr. Sam Trejo for a conversation on the academic impacts of the Flint Water Crisis.

DEC
2

FBI director Christopher Wray
Tune in as the Ford School hosts FBI director Christopher Wray. In an event featuring associate dean John Ciorciari and other faculty experts, Director Wray will reflect on issues including cybersecurity, civil liberties, domestic violent extremism, and more.

DEC
8

What policymakers need to know about the criminal justice system
Join Towsley Foundation Policymaker in Residence Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt (OH-10) in conversation with Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes about topics at the intersection of law, policy, and the criminal justice system.

View all events

   
 
 

Our DEI Why

DEI Why video frame

In October, students, faculty, and staff came together in a special community event to celebrate our shared commitment to DEI and kickstart the school's planning for the next 5 year DEI plan. DeAndré Calvert (P3E), Professor Shobita Parthasarathy, and Caroline Sweeney (MPA '23, Out in Public) gave mini-TEDTalks on what inspires their work for justice and equity.

Watch   |   More about our DEI work

 
   
 



Research and Engagement

Michigan congressional district map

Are election maps fair?

The Ford School's Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, in collaboration with Michigan State University, created the Partisan Advantage Tracker to help the public assess election fairness and track election outcomes More »

American flag waving, gray sky

The fractured superpower

Political scientist Jenna Bednar explores the balance of state and federal power and how it shapes U.S. foreign policy in analysis published in Foreign Affairs. More »

Two grads take selfie

Social origins of education disparities

Katherine Michelmore and co-author Peter Rich enlist an intergenerational and longitudinal approach, finding that given the same levels of family, school, and neighborhood hardship, Black students would be more likely than their white classmates to complete high school and attend college.
More »

Penny Naas picture

Naas joins Ford School Committee

Penny Naas (MPP '93) brings international trade and sustainability expertise to the distinguished Ford School Committee. More »

Morela Hernandez picture

Hernandez guides businesses

Morela Hernandez was named to the MIT Sloan Management Review advisory board to develop and share innovative, evidenced-based management ideas that help business executives lead. More »

Shobita Parthasarathy picture

Parthasarathy advises tech policy

Shobita Parthasarathy joined an ad-hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to help create governance guidelines for emerging technologies.
More »




Mark your calendars: Giving Tuesday is November 29
Make a gift that day to support student-led research, events, and educational opportunities centered on racial equity and antiracism!
Learn more about the Center for Racial Justice.

Weill Hall

Calling all alums!

The Alumni Board elections are underway! Check your email for your ballot and vote by November 22 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Read more about the Alumni Board and the candidates' statements.

Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy - University of Michigan
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Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
University of Michigan
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall
735 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109‑3091
(734) 764-3490
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