My name is Megan Connors, and I'm a second-year MPP student at the Ford School of Public Policy, studying education and social policy. I'm also a research assistant with the Marsal Family School of Education and the co-chair of Women and Gender in Public Policy (WGPP).
Before moving to Ann Arbor, I spent eight years living and working in New York City as a high school social studies teacher. While I loved the excitement and fast pace of a big city, I was looking forward to "slowing down" a bit in a quintessential college town. Having lived in the South, on the West Coast, and in the Northeast, I was also excited to experience a new region of the country and take advantage of all the Midwest has to offer.
My advice for incoming graduate students is to make sure you carve out time to explore Michigan's natural beauty and fully embrace the seasons! Here are a few of my favorite things to do during each one:
Fall
Go to a football game - Even if you don't think you're a fan, the Big House and Michigan football culture is a sight to behold. The Student Affairs Committee helps organize tailgates before each home game and there are plenty of opportunities to find cheap tickets!
Visit a cider mill - My favorite is Dexter Cider Mill, which has the best apple cider donuts I've tried so far (get the cinnamon sugar ones!). I also recommend spending some time exploring the town of Dexter – it has a bunch of cute shops and a "Stars Hollow" vibe.
Winter
Be cozy! - Buy some candles, drink lots of hot tea or hot cocoa, and embrace the "wintering" mindset. It's also a great time to plan a game night or a movie night with friends.
Try a winter sport - I got the chance to visit Crystal Mountain last winter and had a blast re-learning how to ski. It's a great place for beginners!
Spring
Explore Nichols Arboretum - While the Arb is open year-round (and also gorgeous in the fall), I love to track the progress of Spring as the weather warms up with regular walks through its many trails.
Drink or dine al fresco - The spring is when many of Ann Arbor's outdoor watering holes reopen. Some of my favorite spots are Bill's Beer Garden and Casa Dominick's (less than 5 minutes from Ford!).
Summer
Go "Up North" - Before I left for my internship last summer, I took a road trip with my mom to Traverse City and Mackinac Island. The scenic views and delicious farm-to-table cuisine are superb. It should be on everyone's grad school bucket list!
Megan Connors is a second-year MPP candidate at the Ford School of Public Policy. She was named the 2024 Gerald R Ford Presidential Fellow. She earned her BA in Public Policy from Stanford University and a MA in Teaching of Social Studies from Teachers College, Columbia University. Before beginning her MPP, she taught her favorite subject, AP Human Geography, for seven years at a public high school in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to her position on the Alumni Board, Connors is the co-chair of Women and Gender in Public Policy (WGPP) student organization and holds research positions with Ford School Professor Justin Wolfers and Education Professor Kara Finnigan. After graduating, Connors hopes to pursue a career that leverages the power of policy to help more people live their version of a good life. In particular, she is interested in the intersection of education, housing, and economic mobility. In her free time, Connors loves to cook, travel, listen to podcasts, and overanalyze television.