Fall 2024 State & Hill | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

Hey, we need to talk!

In this issue: Creating spaces for meaningful dialogue, civic responsibility, and national unity
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In this era of spin and sound bites, of raised voices and clenched fists, it is easy to throw up one’s hands in exasperation or disgust. But whoever said that democracy is easy?”

President Gerald R. Ford, from his remarks at the dedication of Weill Hall in 2006.
Hey, we need to talk! Exhibit
University of Michigan Museum of Art exhibit, “Hey, we need to talk!” curated by Philippa Pham Hughes and inspired by the work of democracy scholar Jenna Bednar. The exhibit will run through February 09, 2025.

This fall, public policy students gathered weekly at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) against a vibrant backdrop—the 50 state flowers symbolizing national unity and diverse beauty across America. Their assignment was to create a policy-influencing space where people with differing opinions can enter into meaningful, respectful, honest, and relational dialogue. Artist Philippa Pham Hughes designed the course for students concerned about the deepening divide and fraying social fabric in the U.S., a topic she wrestles with in her own work.

Philippa Pham Hughes
Philippa Pham Hughes

Inspired by Ford School political scientist Jenna Bednar’s research on human flourishing, Hughes’s current gallery exhibit (open through February 9, 2025) is part of UMMA’s VOTE 2024 initiative and explores what it means to be an American. Hughes asks visitors to contemplate what it means to flourish—both as individuals and as a community—through conversations about civic responsibility and national identity.

Hey, we need to talk! Exhibit dinner

Meaningful conversations are a catalyst for new ideas and deepened knowledge. They can build bridges, foster understanding, and uncover solutions. They’re foundational for a strong democracy.

America, our 50 state flowers look so beautiful entwined. Let’s keep talking.

 

 

Celeste Watkins-Hayes

Message from Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes

We need more leaders and citizens who can listen, work, and lead across differences. We need creative, data-driven policy solutions that will strengthen our democratic institutions and help us address our pressing challenges in education, health, climate, energy, technological change, and other important issues. In the months and years to come, the Ford School will lean into our essential work with strategy and with heart: evidence-based policymaking, values and ethics, democracy, dialogue across differences, and leadership for the public good.
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2024 election reactions

Faculty weigh in: What happened? What's next?
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On the campaign trail

Behind the scenes with Bressler (BA '23) and Anderson (BA '20)
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Conversations across differences

A less partisan future?

As the 2024 elections approached, former governors Steve Bullock (D-MT) and John Kasich (R-OH) modeled speaking and listening across political and policy fault lines. The talk was organized by the Ford School with support from the University of Michigan’s Year of Democracy Initiative.
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Getting curious about public policy

Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness on voting and civic engagement
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Ford50 student essay contest

Kelly Rogers Victor (MPP/MPH '24) penned the winning essay, "The Nixon pardon: A study in integrity"
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In addition

Local voices in foreign aid

Amy Beck Harris on her return to academia and bridging the gap between participatory development and top-down foreign assistance structures
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He answered the call to serve

James McIntire leaves a legacy of policy for the public good
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Greater than its sum

An update on the Kohn Collaborative
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Reducing administrative burdens

A conversation with public management scholar Donald Moynihan
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Honoring Michigan Legends

View tributes and photos from the event that celebrated the extraordinary careers of longtime core faculty members: Paul N. Courant, Alan V. Deardorff, Edie Goldenberg, Barry Rabe, Carl Simon, Susan Waltz, and Janet Weiss
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Discourse

Fordies in the news
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Soundbites

Highlights from Policy Talks @ the Ford School
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Faculty findings

William Axinn, Kaitlin Raimi, and Devin Judge-Lord
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Coming January 2026

Online Master of Public Affairs

A new flexible, accessible, and hands-on degree for emerging leaders
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Dean: Celeste Watkins-Hayes; Associate Dean for Academic Affairs: Kathryn Dominguez; Associate Dean for Research and Policy Engagement: Jeffrey Morenoff; Director of Communications/Senior Editor: Quanda Hunter; Director of Public Affairs/Senior Editor: Laura K. Lee (MPP ’96); Managing Editor: Rebecca Cohen (MPP ’09); Art lead: Madison Brow; Contributors: Sheri Hall, Daniel Rivkin, Kelly Rogers Victor (MPP/MPH '24), Tracey Van Dusen; Multimedia contributors: Chris Myers, Joe Payovich, Jordan Wilson; Class Notes editor: Elisabeth Johnston; Photographers: Jaime Crawford, Mark Gjukich, Jose Juarez, Andrew Mascharka, Daryl Marshke, Daniel Ribar, Scott Soderberg, Michigan Photography; Design: Savitski Design, Taylor Lee-Robbins (back cover); Printer: University Lithoprinters, Inc.

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