Dear friends,
In a time of dynamic policy shifts, our commitment to preparing future public policy leaders remains steadfast. Last month, around 80 students traveled to our annual DC Careers Trip, engaging in valuable discussions and networking that included a session led by Professor Don Moynihan and a reception with 120 of our DC alumni. These interactions play a vital role in readying our students to navigate and contribute to an ever-evolving policy landscape, equipping them to confront uncertainties in federal career opportunities.
Our community encompasses a range of perspectives, united by a shared dedication to the public good, evidence-based policy, and the integrity of our democratic institutions. During the DC gathering, I emphasized to our alumni the importance of their work and the proud support of the Ford School. I encouraged them—and all members of our community—to tap into the strong networks that our Michigan affiliation provides.
We continue to closely monitor changes that have affected our students and alumni, and we’re hosting discussions to better understand federal developments and their implications. Recently Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer (MPP ‘22) and Professor David Thacher led a conversation on immigration enforcement concerns impacting our campus. Our faculty are organizing teach-ins on timely topics such as executive actions, international relations, birthright citizenship, and higher education.
We still have several public events left this semester. Later this week, two former politicians will discuss cross-partisan collaboration as part of our Conversation Across Differences event series. On April 9, Chris Weiland will deliver the Karl and Martha Kohn Professor of Social Policy lecture on closing early childhood opportunity gaps. Also in April, we will welcome Robert Doar, the president of the American Enterprise Institute, for a conversation about the center-right conservative movement, the importance of conversations across ideological differences, and the challenges and opportunities around leading evidence-based policy institutions for research and learning in the present moment. We’re thrilled that Michigan’s own U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin will be our keynote speaker for the Ford School’s 2025 Commencement Ceremony.
As we navigate these complex and uncertain times, we draw inspiration from your resilience and commitment to the public good. Thank you for partnering with us to prepare the next generation of public policy leaders grounded in service and evidence-based solutions. We look forward to your continued engagement with the Ford School.
Warmly,
Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor of Public Policy
University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor
Professor of Sociology
