Alumni & friends | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Alumni & friends

A connected community to each other, and to the world.
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A powerful network, a shared vision

Whether you're closing achievement gaps, improving water quality, reinvigorating struggling communities, or streamlining government services, there's a place for you here.

Ford School alumni address an amazing variety of policy issues all around the world. They are diverse in their heritage, in their viewpoints, and in their passions. But Ford School alumni share this—a dedication to making a difference in our world.

And they are deeply engaged and an integral part of the Ford School community.

Our alumni bring it all—their vision, passion, and knowledge—to the next generation of policy leaders by joining panel discussions, sharing professional achievements, providing career advice, conducting mock interviews, critiquing student resumes, hosting interns, hiring graduates, and more.

And we encourage alumni to continue their own professional development and learning through networking with each other, taking part in Ford School events, like PolicyTalks that "take them back to the classroom," and workshops and services offered by the U-M Alumni Association.

Ford50

Commemorating an exceptional presidency

50 years ago, Gerald R. Ford was sworn in as the 38th president of the United States. Celebrate this anniversary by speaking to an influential public servant about President Ford's legacy and his connection to the Ford School, attend a public event, and make plans to be back in Ann Arbor for the reunion.
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Active alumni

700

Alumni engage with students, give, and attend events in 2023.

Alumni gifts

315

Gifts were made in July 2019-July 2020 from nearly 400 donors.
Watch

Leveraging the USDA to tackle nutrition insecurity and systemic racism in the food system

Deputy Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Ford School alumna (MPP '92), Stacy Dean, will speak about her journey from U-M and the Ford School to becoming a policy and budget analyst, and now her role at USDA.
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Community

2023 Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day

Each July, Ford School alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends gather in the name of President Ford on or near his birthday (on July 14!) to socialize, network, and most importantly celebrate what binds us together - our collective Ford School experiences.
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Community

Connecting in DC

Ford School alumni, students, and friends joined together in Washington DC for a special event. Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes along with Hardy Vieux started off the evening by discussing topics such as the future of public policy education, the goals and shared vision for the Ford School and more. After the conversation, guests were asked to stay for a networking reception to catch up with fellow Fordies.
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