Policy Matters

Graduating senior Breah Marie Willy reflects on her time at the Ford School

May 8, 2026

As the 2026 academic year comes to a close, Breah Marie Willy (BA ‘26), the 2026 BA-elected commencement speaker, reflected on her time at the Ford School and what lessons she’ll take with her after graduation.

Four individuals standing in front of a research poster at the Gramlich Showcase, smiling and dressed in business attire.

Policy Matters

A West Coast perspective: How Dixie Samaniego (MPP ‘27) transitioned from college in California to the Ford School

Apr 23, 2026

Dixie Samaniego (MPP ‘27) talks about finding community at the Ford School and her transition from the West Coast to the Midwest.

A student smiling in the crowd at a college football game

Policy Matters

How do we reduce firearm injuries?

Apr 14, 2026

Lior Cooper (BA ‘26) and Isaac Davis (BA ‘26) recount their experience at a peer-led dinner with Dr. Cynthia Ewell-Foster and how candid conversation has changed how they think about firearm policy.

Two individuals engaged in a conversation while seated at a table with documents and a laptop. One person is gesturing with their hands while speaking to the other, who is holding a pen and listening attentively.

Policy Matters

A shared story, a bigger conversation: the community read

Apr 13, 2026

Stephanie Sanders unveils next year's community read: Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver.

The book 'Demon Copperhead' in the Ford School reading room

Policy Matters

Poverty Solutions RA convenes peers for hands-on workshop to redesign government services

Apr 13, 2026

Lauren Parker (MPP '26) discusses her experience helping develop the Public Policy Lab's workshop about human-centered design, which provided students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to learn about service design and how human-centered design proc...

Policy Matters

Featured Fordie: Kelly Beharry (MPP ’26, MD ’27)

Apr 8, 2026

Kelly Beharry (MPP ’26, MD ’27) reflects on her NYC roots and how her dual degree influences her approach to global health and immigrant rights.

Policy Matters

Featured Fordie: Tanasorn (Wave) Junkrapor (MPP '26)

Apr 8, 2026

Tansaorn (Wave) Junkrapor (MPP ‘26) shares how working for Thailand’s Department of Local Administration taught him that effective policy comes from listening to the people it impacts, and how he’s now focused on using data to make AI work for vulner...

Policy Matters

Schila Labitsch (MPP ‘26): American policymakers can learn from the Viennese social housing system

Mar 27, 2026

This month, four Ford School student essays were recognized for outstanding, policy-focused analysis and personal reflection. They are the winners of a contest that invited students to explore central themes of Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thom...

Policy Matters

Why I chose a dual MPP/MSW degree

Mar 20, 2026

Samira Kimo (MPP/MSW ’26) shares her experiences as a dual-degree student in the Ford School’s MPP program and the School of Social Work’s MSW program, reflects on her summer internships and coursework, and gives advice to students considering a dual...

Policy Matters

Featured Fordie: Elisa Méndez Silva (MPP '27)

Mar 9, 2026

Elisa Méndez Silva (MPP ‘27) shares how supporting World Bank operations in Honduras shaped her approach to policy, why she chose the Ford School, and how she hopes to strengthen public institutions through a career in international development.

Policy Matters

Featured Fordie: Brody Stratz (BA’ 26)

Mar 9, 2026

Brody Stratz (BA ‘26) reflects on how growing up during COVID shaped his interest in public policy, what he’s learned at the Ford School, and the impact he hopes to make through economic policy.

Policy Matters

Bohnett Fellows recount their experience at the 2026 U.S. Conference of Mayors

Feb 25, 2026

Over a snowy weekend in January, Anneke Craig (MPP ‘27), Madeleine Gibbons-Shapiro (MPP ‘27), and Emma Schwartz (MPP ‘27) traveled to Washington, D.C. for the annual U.S. Conference of the Mayors (USCM) as part of the David Bohnett Foundation Leaders...

Headshots of Craig, Gibbons, and Schwartz

Policy Matters

Malinda Brunk (BA ‘26) on the Ford School’s 2026 Career Exploration Days

Feb 19, 2026

Malinda Brunk (BA ‘26) recounts her experience at the Ford School’s 2026 Career Exploration Days and shares the lessons she learned from alumni on navigating career journeys and professional development.

Policy Matters

STPP’s Experiential Learning opportunity spotlights how science and technology policies can uplift the Michigan consumer

Feb 13, 2026

Students Henry Smith (BA '27) and Aanvi Arora (BA '27) discuss their experiences working with State Representative Jason Morgan's office through STPP's Experiential Learning opportunity

Policy Matters

A southerner’s perspective: Why I moved north for grad school

Feb 2, 2026

Cara Clay (MPP '26) explains why she decided to come to Michigan for graduate school after having lived in the South her whole life

Policy Matters

Why I chose a dual MPP/MPH degree

Feb 2, 2026

Delaney McDermott (MPP/MPH '27) discusses why she chose to be a dual Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Health student

Policy Matters

My experience as a dual degree MPP/MPH student

Feb 2, 2026

Amber Garcia explains what it is like to be a dual degree student pursuing a Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Health

Policy Matters

My experience as a dual degree student (Ford/SEAS)

Feb 2, 2026

Second-year student Danielle Levy discusses her experience as a dual-degree candidate at the Ford School and the School for Environment and Sustainability

Policy Matters

An inside look at the Integrated Policy Exercise

Feb 2, 2026

Alimatou Sarr (MPP '27) discusses her experience at this year's IPE that was focused on Michigan's hazardous waste disposal policy

A panel discussion in progress inside a university lecture hall with multiple attendees seated and one person standing at the podium.

Policy Matters

A Fordie’s guide to Michigan life in all seasons

Feb 2, 2026

Megan Connors (MPP '26) gives advice to incoming students on what they should do throughout the year in Michigan

Panoramic photo of a full Michigan Stadium from the Michigan-Ohio State game in 2011

Policy Matters

Learning by doing: An inside look at the Strategic Consulting course

Feb 2, 2026

Chiante Hamilton (MPA '26) recounts her experience in the Strategic Consulting course and how she was able to give back to her community

Policy Matters

Behind the scenes: Connecting a record number of alumni and students

Jan 29, 2026

Every October and March, the Ford School network comes to life with Alumni Office Hours Month, a program that pairs current students and alumni for one-on-one career conversations. It's simple in structure but powerful in impact, and this fall, it re...

Policy Matters

Fordies show up on Giving Tuesday

Jan 29, 2026

Last December, the Ford School raised $4,000 from over two dozen donors in a global day of philanthropy known as Giving Tuesday.

Two students wearing University of Michigan sweatshirts sit at a table, smiling and looking at each other, with a laptop open in front of them.

Policy Matters

A look inside the Ford School’s Fall 2025 Diplomacy Lab research project

Jan 27, 2026

Margaret Peterman (BA ‘27) recounts her experience as a team lead for the Ford School’s Diplomacy Lab.

Policy Matters

The making of IPE

Jan 19, 2026

GSI Pedro Eymael (MPP/MS ’27) shares behind-the-scenes preparation for the Ford School’s policy simulation.

Policy Matters

Why I chose the MPP/JD

Dec 8, 2025

One of the main reasons I decided to come to the University of Michigan for graduate school was so that I could pursue both a master’s in public policy and a law degree at a school that excelled in both.

Policy Matters

Student curated programming to meet the moment

Nov 24, 2025

CRJ's Katrina Hamann recaps the the three-part "Let's Unpack That" series hosted by the Center for Racial Justice. Drawing on student feedback, the series focused on immigration policy, AI policy, and election policy.

students and community members gathered in the trotter multicultural center for unpacking immigration policy

Policy Matters

Karen Hao inspires community empowerment in the face of the AI empire

Nov 21, 2025

Lakshay Sood reflects on the opportunity to meet Karen Hao, author of the bestselling book Empire of AI, who came to the Ford School for a special conversation with students in October.

Policy Matters

To shore up American democracy, look to city hall

Nov 20, 2025

CLOSUP's Stephanie Leiser, Debra Horner, and Natalie Fitzpatrick discuss the Michigan Public Policy Survey and how it has shown that, although there is concerns over the state of democracy in the United States, democracy remains strong at the local l...

Photo of a stone building with a large "City Hall" sign

Policy Matters

How to do civic engagement: Lessons from voter registration to lever voting machines

Nov 13, 2025

Landon Myers (MPP ‘21) discusses how volunteering at a voter registration table began his passion for voter engagement and elections more broadly

Landon Myers shown with students during a voter registration drive.