One of the most transformative courses I have taken at the University of Michigan has been Strategic Consulting, co-taught by Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Professor Jeffrey Morenoff. What set this course apart was not only the caliber of our instructors, but the intentional way it was designed to immerse students in real-world policy challenges through hands-on, community-centered learning. My program is only nine months long, as an MPA student, I was granted special permission to take Strategic Consulting during my very first semester. That decision proved invaluable.
From the start, the professors were clear that this would not be a traditional classroom experience. Instead of focusing solely on theory, we were placed into teams and partnered with clients to develop actionable recommendations. My team, Future Detroit, contributed to the education portion of the Mayoral Transition Playbook. This work took place during a monumental moment in the city's history, as Detroit elected its first woman mayor, Mary Sheffield. Being able to contribute policy recommendations during such a pivotal transition underscored the responsibility and impact of public service.
For me, this experience was especially meaningful and full circle. I attended Detroit Public Schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, and returning in this capacity; helping to shape recommendations related to the educational landscape was deeply personal. It was an opportunity to give back to the community that shaped me, using the tools, training, and perspective I have gained at the Ford School.
Community engagement was at the core of the course. We were challenged to listen carefully to stakeholders, analyze data thoughtfully, and take into account political and institutional realities. The professors emphasized that effective consulting and policymaking must center lived experience alongside strategy, pushing us to think beyond abstract solutions and toward practical, equitable outcomes.
The learning extended well beyond our client work. Through guest speakers in the class and site visits, Mayor Lightfoot and Professor Morenoff intentionally exposed us to leaders across levels of government. A highlight was the opportunity to travel to Chicago, where we learned directly from municipal leaders and examined the complexity of governing one of the largest cities in the country.
The professors also leveraged their networks to deepen our understanding of leadership during times of transition. We met with a former federal transition leader who has worked on presidential transitions for Former Presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Bill Clinton. Hearing firsthand how transitions function at the federal level provided invaluable insight and allowed us as a team to adapt lessons learned to our work.
What made Strategic Consulting truly exceptional was the professors' commitment to hands-on learning. They were intentional about preparing students for the realities of public policy work; ensuring we left not only with knowledge, but with practical skills and professional confidence. For my peers who are seeking an education that bridges theory and practice, Strategic Consulting exemplifies how learning at the University of Michigan extends beyond the classroom and into real-world impact.
Chiante' Hamilton (MPA ‘26) is an accomplished nonprofit executive and community leader dedicated to advancing racial equity, public policy, and opportunity for underserved communities. As executive director of the Society for History and Racial Equity and Co-Founder of Her Untold Stories Heard, she champions storytelling, advocacy, and public service across Michigan. She is from Detroit, Michigan.
