Spring Preview Day 2026

Spring Preview is designed to help admitted master's students get to know our faculty, staff, current students—and each other!

We look forward to welcoming you to Ann Arbor to experience the Ford School community, the University of Michigan campus, and our wonderful city!

Registration

Please fill out this form no later than April 1st to confirm your attendance.

If you are unable to attend in person, but would like to attend a portion of the events virtually, please register here. Please see the schedule below for more information. 

Travel and lodging

We greatly look forward to welcoming those of you who are able to attend.

The Ford School has partnered with the Courtyard Marriott of Ann Arbor to offer a limited block of rooms. The rate is $129/night, and reservations can be made through Friday, March 27 ("Ford School Spring Preview" block). Note that after March 27, the room rate and block is not guaranteed. In addition, the link is preconfigured to reserve for two nights (Thursday, April 9th, through Friday, April 10th). If you would like to stay only one night, please update the dates at the top of the page to reflect that. There are also a number of other area hotels available through this link. A small number of spaces are available to stay at the homes of current Ford School students, please indicate your interest within the event registration form.

The Ford School can offer up to $500 for travel reimbursement for admitted students who attend Spring Preview. This can include flight, hotel, train, taxi, rideshare service, mileage, or parking. If you are thinking about this reimbursement opportunity, please keep all of your receipts. We will ask for them for reimbursement. 

Schedule

* Denotes sessions available to virtual attendees
^Denotes sessions to be recorded

8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
Registration and coffee
Great Hall

Research Center Table Fair & Student Organization Table Fair
The Great Hall

9:15 - 9:45 a.m.
Welcome and introductions
Betty Ford Auditorium
Celeste Watkins-Hayes, Dean of Public Policy
Kathryn Dominguez, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Jeffrey Morenoff, Associate Dean for Research and Policy Engagement
Logan Corey, Senior Recruiting Coordinator

9:45 - 10:00 a.m.
Break
Suggested Activity - start working on your Ford bingo card!
 

10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Student panel
Betty Ford Auditorium
Learn more about the student experience from a panel of experts - current students!
Elizabeth Mugo – Moderator, MPP ‘26
Lauren Parker – Moderator for Virtual Attendees, MPP ‘26
Alice Kinney, MPP ‘27
Christina Alvarez, MBA/MPP ‘28
Delaney Connor, MPP ‘26
Mario Vazquez, MPP ‘27
Saravuth Vong, MPP and Science, Technology, and Public Policy Certificate ‘27
 

11:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Break
Suggested Activity - start working on your Ford bingo card!
 

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Ford School Faculty Panel
Betty Ford Auditorium
Jon Hanson, MPP/MPA Program Director; Lecturer in Public Policy
Stephanie Leiser, Director of Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, Lecturer in Public Policy
Sarah Cohodes, Associate professor
Yusuf Neggers, Assistant Professor of Public Policy
Yousif Hassan, Assistant professor 

12:15 - 2:00 p.m.
Lunch with the Ford Community
Great Hall & Betty Ford Auditorium
 

1:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Tour of Weill Hall (optional)
Meet by theGerald R. Ford statue in the Great Hall
 

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Career Services Panel
Betty Ford Auditorium

3:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Break
Suggested Activity - finish your Ford bingo card and enter in the UM swag drawing!
 

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
Alumni Lightning Talks
Hear from Ford School alumni board members about how their experiences shaped their current careers

4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Break & Pop-up Ford Spirit Store
Transition back to Betty Ford Auditorium
Stop by the check-in table to explore a range of Ford School swag items for purchase.

4:30 - 4:45 p.m.
The Last Word & Closing
The Last Word & Closing - Betty Ford Auditorium
Winners of the swag drawing will be announced - must be present to claim prize
Don Moynihan, Professor of Public Policy 

4:45-5:00 p.m.
The Last Word & Closing
The Great Hall
Last chance to stop by the Spirit Store! Meet with current Fordies to walk to dinner.

5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dinner with Current Ford School Students
Join members of the Ford School student body, including student org leaders, for dinner at Pizza House.