Dear friends,
The start of a new academic year is always a time of renewal—full of promise and new opportunities. As Weill Hall welcomes new and returning Fordies, I am reminded of the school’s enduring commitment to preparing thoughtful, principled leaders who are equipped to tackle urgent policy challenges and advance the public good.
This fall we are delighted to welcome a wonderful group of students: five doctoral candidates, 91 MPP and MPA students (including 19 international students), and 100 BA juniors, along with 40 BA minors. Their energy and passion enrich our community with diverse perspectives and a strengthened sense of purpose. Additionally, we are excited to expand pathways to public service with our new Online Master of Public Affairs, with our first cohort of students beginning this winter. Applications are now open, making a Ford School education accessible to more aspiring leaders than ever.
Our fall events calendar, featuring speakers such as Kara Swisher, Pete Buttigieg, H.R. McMaster, and Ezra Klein, highlights our commitment to dialogue and the robust exchange of ideas. We invite you—alumni, partners, and friends—to tune into discussions about the urgent issues of our time, join us for Homecoming on October 3-4, and connect with talented students as they embark on impactful careers for the public good.
Warmly,
Celeste Watkins-Hayes
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
