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.
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…
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…
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…
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...
“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,...
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,...
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...
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...
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 marks Giving Blueday, an annual day of giving celebration for U-M.
Each gift to the Ford School, no matter the size, will make a difference. And this year, through a generous challenge, every donation makes an even...
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...
Planned giving: A lasting legacy
We asked Ford School alumni and donors why they included the Ford School in their estate planning, what they hope their gifts will do, and how it reflects their values. Here's what they told us.
Ann Branston...
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 marks Giving Blueday, an annual day of giving celebration for U-M.
Each gift to the Ford School, no matter the size, will make a difference. And this year, through a generous challenge offered by the Borish Family,...
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,...
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.;...
The Ford School launched the Alumni Giving Challenge in summer 2019, with members of the Ford School Committee offering $50,000 in challenge funds. Despite an especially trying year, alumni stepped up to the challenge with incredible support for the...
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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
