University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Rahm Emmanuel sitting and speaking.

ICYMI: On February 17, Rahm Emmanuel visited for an intimate discussion with our students, faculty, and staff!

The former Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff, and Ambassador to Japan recalled key moments of his extensive career and discussed the upcoming midterm elections.

Graphic featuring a headshot of Javed Ali. Under the headshot is a quote from Ali on WEMU news reading: "Wars are always fluid and dynamic, and nothing ever goes according to plan... How do you know when you've achieved your objectives or what does victory look like? These are all things the White House has to consider right now."

Javed Ali recently discussed the joint U.S.-Israel attack targeting Iranian military and government sites in various news outlets.

Read/Listen:
https://myumi.ch/bVerr
https://myumi.ch/MkjJV
https://myumi.ch/QwjGX
https://myumi.ch/n1zEG

Senators Chang and Damoose seated in front of an audience engaged in discussion.

Senator Chang seated and speaking.

Senator Damoose seated and speaking.

Missed “A Conversation Across Differences” with Senators Chang and Damoose?

The recording of this illuminating conversation is now available to watch!

Watch: https://myumi.ch/3Rwpx

Double the Danger – Firearm Violence Among Latinos Español Abajo Ron Ellis never got the chance to meet his grandmother, Marita Reasonover. She emigrated to the United States

@maraceci.bsky.social recently offered insight in an El Central Hispanic News article on firearm violence among Latinos in Southwest Detroit.

Read more: https://myumi.ch/5k8rG

Headshot of Akshara Karthik.

Check out Akshara Karthik's (BA ’26) STPP report on youth detention screening tools. In the report, she recommends that Michigan should design and implement a culturally and demographically tailored youth detention risk screening tool for county use.

Read the full report: https://myumi.ch/xwNN1

Headshot of Cortney Sanders.

Cortney Sanders (MPP ’17) was named the 2026 Center for the Education of Women + (CEW+) Twink Frey Visiting Social Activist. Congratulations Cortney!

Read about her work: https://myumi.ch/Nr2NP

@cohodes.bsky.social recently shared insights in a Fort Worth Star-Telegram article about charter school growth in San Antonio, Texas. Cohodes highlights the effect of the pandemic on how people choose schools, and more.

Full insights: https://myumi.ch/797ED

Moroun donated $1M US to Trump-supporting political action committee before Gordie Howe bridge threats | CBC News The wealthy owner of a nearly century-old bridge connecting Michigan and Ontario gave $1 million US to a Trump-aligned political action committee less than a month before the U.S. president unleashed ...

ICYMI: @judgelord.bsky.social spoke with CBC about the Gordie Howe bridge and Trump’s change in position about the project. He says, it’s "somewhat of an unusual case.”

Read his full comments: https://myumi.ch/e3NWM

Headshot of Catherine Hausman.

New research by Catherine Hausman shows that better integration of electricity transmission networks across regions could significantly reduce generation costs, at the expense of generation companies' profits.

Read the full paper: https://myumi.ch/bVM5b

Michelmore inducted to the National Academy of Social Insurance Katherine Michelmore was inducted into NASI, an organization dedicated to exploring how social insurance contributes to economic security.

Congratulations to @kmichelmore.bsky.social for being inducted into the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI)! 🎉

Read more about this accomplishment: https://myumi.ch/9pzM1

A group of people stands at voting booths, casting ballots in a room with an American flag prominently displayed on the wall behind them.

Check out Jose Pelaez's (MPP '26) zine for the Voting Access for All Coalition, which discusses how AI can disrupt elections and recommends places to find the truth 🗳️

Read it here: https://myumi.ch/Xywzp

Event poster featuring Sen. Stephanie Chang from Detroit and Sen. John Damoose from Harbor Springs. The event is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST.

Senators Chang and Damoose will be here TODAY for a “Conversation Across Differences”!

Listen to how these political leaders work together to find common ground.

Register: https://myumi.ch/3Rwpx

Invitation for the University of Michigan's Ford School virtual information sessions. Dates and times are Wednesday, February 25th at 6 PM EST and Tuesday, March 3rd at 12 PM EST. Enclosed in an envelope.

Thinking about elevating your career in public service?

Join us for a virtual information session to learn more about our Online Master of Public Affairs (Online MPA) program! 🖥️ 〽️

Register now: https://myumi.ch/Qq41k

Iraq War flashbacks? Experts say Trump’s Iran buildup signals pressure campaign, not regime change U.S. forces surged into the Middle East amid Iran tensions, drawing comparisons to 2003 Iraq War buildup. Military experts say the intent differs fundamentally.

Media roundup: Javed Ali recently commented on the current administration’s actions in Iran in several news outlets.

Read and listen to his comments: https://myumi.ch/9pzqr
https://myumi.ch/w9VX2
https://myumi.ch/152Mm

Don’t miss a “Conversation Across Differences” with Senators Chang and Damoose on February 23!

Come hear the Senators discuss how they’ve worked across the aisle to get things done.

Register: https://myumi.ch/3Rwpx

Atinuke Adediran holding a copy of her book.

CRJ is hosting former visiting fellow Atinuke Adediran for a book talk on February 23!

In her new book “Disclosureland: How Corporate Words Constrain Racial Progress,” Adediran explores the corporate tension between rhetoric and action.

RSVP: https://myumi.ch/5kVp1

Graphic featuring a playing card labeled "Opportunity" with an open door. Text reads "Stacked Deck: with Kristin Seefeldt."

Introducing ‘Stacked Deck,’ a new interview series from Poverty Solutions!

The first episode features Kristin Seefeldt discussing how to create effective poverty policies.

Watch: https://myumi.ch/8q95P

Watch UMich's Stevenson: US Labor Market Not Turned the Corner - Bloomberg Betsey Stevenson, Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the University of Michigan, discusses the latest US payrolls report and says the market has not necessarily turned a corner. She speaks wi...

ICYMI: @betseystevenson.bsky.social discussed the latest US payrolls report on Bloomberg’s The Asia Trade.

Watch: https://myumi.ch/XyPDq

Exit of CDC’s acting director highlights agency’s lack of leader The lack of a Senate-confirmed leader is deepening the turmoil at the CDC.

In a recent article from STAT, @sbagen.bsky.social discussed the CDC’s firing of director Susan Monarez and what might happen with future CDC director appointments.

Read his comments: https://myumi.ch/E8zRg

Henry Smith and AAnvi Arora standing with members of Jason Morgan's team inside the state capitol building.

Henry Smith (BA'27) and Aanvi Arora (BA'27) recently collaborated with State Representative Jason Morgan’s office to research and advocate for their policy beliefs as a part of STPP’s experiential learning opportunity.

Read more about their experience: https://myumi.ch/bVWNp

A promotional graphic for an event titled "Working across the aisle in the Michigan Senate" scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm EST. Featuring two individuals: Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and the other as Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs).

Join us on February 23rd for a “Conversation Across Differences” with Senators Chang and Damoose!

Don’t miss this chance to explore common ground during a time when these conversations are more crucial than ever.

Register: https://myumi.ch/3Rwpx

Cara Clays standing in front of the Bean!

Thinking about moving up north to Michigan for grad school? Life-long southerner Cara Clay (MPP ’26) shared her experience moving to Ann Arbor.

Read her story: https://myumi.ch/w9GeG

Students standing and observing in the “American Sampler” exhibit.

Students standing and observing in the “American Sampler” exhibit.

Devin Judge-Lord’s new class, “Protest, Social Movements, Art, and Policy Change,” recently visited UMMA’s “American Sampler” exhibit to explore how movement art influences policy change and to find inspiration for their own projects 🎨

Learn more about the course: https://myumi.ch/Qwggy

A group of students seated around a large table.

Chinate’ Hamilton (MPP ’26) completed our Strategic Consulting course in her first semester. She emphasizes the meaningful engagement, non-traditional classroom experience, and other factors that made the course exceptional.

Read her post: https://myumi.ch/z98P4

Nicole Auerbach in Italy

Congrats to Nicole Auerbach (BA ‘11) for landing her first Olympic assignment with NBC Sports! She covered cross-country skiing, ski jumping, and Nordic combined at the Milano Cortina Olympic Games.

Our alumni really do go everywhere, and we couldn't be prouder to see you shine!

White House says Trump could amend permit for new Gordie Howe International Bridge Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Ontario Premier Doug Ford say they expect the bridge to still open on time.

ICYMI: @jkhanson.bsky.social shared his thoughts on President Trump’s threats to block the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

Read his opinion here: https://myumi.ch/n1nq2

Samuel Bagenstos presenting at a podium

Congratulations to @sbagen.bsky.social on being awarded the President’s Award for Public Impact!

Learn more about this honor: https://myumi.ch/W6my1

Curious about our Online MPA program?

Join our upcoming info sessions on February 25th or March 3rd and get all your questions answered!

Sign up to attend: https://myumi.ch/D8nA9

2 students sitting and smiling.

A graphic with a group of people, all smiling, standing together in a hallway. The text below outlines a program from June 1 to July 26 with highlights including an 8-week policy research internship, discovering career opportunities, connecting with U-M, and enhancing research skills at a leading university.

Applications are open for ASPIRE 2026! This 8-week summer internship program is for sophomores and juniors at Spelman College and Morehouse College who are interested in applied social policy research.

Learn more and attend an info session: https://myumi.ch/w9nGb

Dani Levy kayaking in a river.

Dani Levy (MPP/MS) describes how earning dual degrees at U-M has helped her grow both academically and personally. Want to learn more about her journey? Read this: https://myumi.ch/W63Z4