Development & alumni relations | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Departments and Research Centers

Development & alumni relations

The Ford School Development team strives to maximize private support for the Ford School by cultivating and maintaining relationships with students, colleagues, alumni, friends, foundations, and corporations.

Showing 1 - 30 of 44 results
Staff

Kellen Epstein

Associate Director of Development
Kellen Epstein is the Associate Director of Development at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. In her role, she works to build relationships with alumni and friends of the Ford School to encourage and broaden their…
Staff

Luke Horner

Stewardship Officer, Development & Alumni Relations
Staff

Susan D. Johnson

Chief Development Officer
Sue Johnson is the chief development officer at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Sue joined the Ford School in February 2016 and oversees all fundraising and alumni relations efforts, coordinates with the dean and other members of the Ford…
Staff

Elisabeth A. Johnston

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, Office of Development & Alumni Relations
Elisabeth Johnston is the assistant director of alumni relations in the Ford School's Office of Development and Alumni Relations. In this role, she serves as the primary liaison to the Ford School Alumni Board, partners with Graduate Career Services…
Staff

Jackie Riecks

Senior Development Assistant
Jackie Riecks is a senior development assistant in the Ford School's Office of…

Alumni & friends

A powerful network, a shared vision Whether you're closing achievement gaps, improving water quality, reinvigorating struggling communities, or streamlining government services, there's a place for you here. Ford School alumni address an...

Advancing the public good

“The public good” is core to our school’s mission statement; it’s been core to who we are since our founding in 1914. Public policy matters. And now, at a time of growing threats to our democratic institutions and growing fractures in our society,...

Actionable solutions

In the room where evidence-based policy happensOur faculty are among the University of Michigan’s most accomplished, creative, and collaborative—and they’re built for action in policy arenas.  Economists, political scientists, sociologists,...

Principled leaders

We prepare policy leaders of high character, for challenging timesStudents enter the Ford School with a passion for solving our world’s biggest problems. They see a world on fire, and they’ve chosen to become firefighters. We teach our students how...

Giving

 Fifty years ago, at a fraught and fractious moment in American history, Gerald Ford was called upon to serve. He brought to that moment lessons learned from a career of serving his neighbors in his West Michigan congressional district. And he...
News

Sutphen, Farrell add deep expertise to Ford School Committee

Dec 3, 2021
Adding to our talented and distinguished Ford School Committee, we are pleased to welcome two new members to the school’s external advisory group. David Sutphen, the chief strategy and engagement officer for the online learning platform 2U, and...
News

Ambassador Levitsky’s gift supports student internships

Feb 11, 2021
With a generous gift from Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky, a Professor of International Policy and Practice, the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy will establish the Joan Levitsky Internship Fund. The Fund, established in memory of Joan Levitsky,...
News

Ford School welcomes four new Committee members

Dec 2, 2020
The Ford School is pleased to announce that four distinguished, dynamic leaders have joined our Committee, the school’s external advisory group. The new members are Dudley Benoit (MPP ‘95), executive vice president for Alliant Capital, Ltd.;...
News

Ford School names Weill Scholars and Weill Youth Policy Fellow

Oct 26, 2020
The Ford School has named its inaugural Weill Scholars, Fanta Condé (MPP ‘22) and Max Hill (MPP ‘22), along with its inaugural Weill Youth Policy Fellow, Heather Berg (MPP ‘23). All three students are recipients of prestigious Rackham Master’s...

Fordie Grad Fair

Apr 23, 2024, 11:30 am-1:30 pm EDT
Great Hall (the Becky)
Congratulations, '24 graduates! Let's celebrate your upcoming graduation at Fordie Grad Fair! 

Hail Yeah!

Mar 14, 2024, 10:30 am-1:30 pm EDT
Great Hall
Thank an alum! Get a free t-shirt! 

Giving Blueday 2024: A decade of impact, driven by you.

Mar 13, 2024, 12:00 am-11:59 pm EDT
Worldwide
On Wednesday, March 13, celebrate Giving Blueday's 10th anniversary! From midnight through 11:59 p.m. EST, Fordies around the globe will have the opportunity to support what we love about the Ford School and University of Michigan! 

Giving Blueday 2023: Be part of something bigger

Mar 15, 2023, All Day
Worldwide
Giving is everything. Giving brings us together. From midnight through 11:59 p.m. EST, Fordies around the globe have a unique opportunity to come together and support what each of us loves about the Ford School and University of Michigan.

Weiser Diplomacy Fellows alumni experiences

Feb 20, 2023, 11:30 am-12:45 pm EST
3240 Weill Hall
The Weiser Diplomacy Center, Career Services, and Development and Alumni Relations are offering sessions during the winter '23 semester for you to engage with alumni who are working abroad/have worked abroad and/or work on a variety of international policy issues. 

Giving Blueday 2022: Support what you ♡ about the Ford School

Mar 16, 2022, All Day
Worldwide
One day. All of us. What will you do in one day? From midnight through 11:59 p.m. EST, Fordies around the globe have a unique opportunity to come together and support what each of us loves about the Ford School and University of Michigan.

Kohn Collaborative celebratory t-shirt pickup

Nov 3, 2021, All Day
Weill Hall
We've ordered special Kohn Collaborative t-shirts for the entire community! Please wear yours to Weill Hall on November 3rd to show your pride in the Ford School and your commitment to the public good.

Giving Blueday 2021: Support what you ♡ about the Ford School

Mar 10, 2021, All Day
Worldwide
One day. All of us. What will you do in one day? From midnight through 11:59 p.m. EST, Fordies around the globe have a unique opportunity to come together and support what each of us loves about the Ford School and University of Michigan.