BA alumni

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.

Alumni spotlight

Community-led conservation

May 7, 2026

When it comes to safeguarding the planet, alum Ben Zukowski (BA ‘13) believes not only in learning from science, but also from listening to those who live closest to the land.

Alumni spotlight

Pathways for student success

May 7, 2026

For nearly a decade, Rohan Dharan (BA '13) led initiatives to ensure all DC Public School students had access to advanced and enriched academics.

State & Hill

Class notes, spring 2026

May 7, 2026

Catch up with Fordies and learn about recent accomplishments, moves, and babies!

Neetu Singh and spouse at a marriage ceremony

News

Ford School welcomes new alumni board members

Jan 20, 2026

Six Ford School alumni have been selected to serve on the Alumni Board by their peers. These alumni have diverse backgrounds working in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors in finance, labor, technology, transportation, housing, and other polic...

Headshots of Sam Conchuratt (MPP ‘21), Eliza Erickson (MPP ‘10), Jasmine Kaltenbach (BA ‘21), Tara Lanigan (MPA ‘21), Laurel Ruza (BA ‘15), and Pablo Velázquez (MPP ‘14)

Alumni spotlight

Strange bedfellows for a cleaner NYC

May 9, 2025

When Emma Renzi Wise (BA ’19) got hooked on learning about environmental policy at the Ford School, she never imagined working for the New York City Department of Sanitation. But nearly six years after leaving Ann Arbor, Wise is the community coordin...

Collage of Emma Renzi Wise with an oyster shell, manhole cover, and recycling bin

State & Hill

Class notes, spring 2025

May 7, 2025

Read the latest news from impressive Ford School alumni.

Two infants wearing University of Michigan outfits; one lying on a star-patterned blanket smiling, and the other resting against a pillow looking thoughtful.

State & Hill

Class notes, fall 2024

Dec 17, 2024

David Rivait (MPP ’84) was appointed by Governor Pritzker to the State of Illinois’ eight-member Budgeting for Results Commission. The Commission advises on an annual performance-based budget and provides oversight and guidance for assessments of sta...

Top row (from left to right): Laura Bishop (MPA ’99), Tyler (BA ’19) and Meghan Coady, Cristian Casanova (MPP ’21). Bottom row (from left to right): Jim Hudak (MPP ’71) with Celeste Watkins-Hayes, Dr. Gladys Mitchell-Walthour (MPP ’02), Eric (MPP ’87) and Kaye Norenberg.

News

Welcome new 2023 alumni board members

Jan 6, 2023

Six Ford School alumni have been elected by their peers to serve on the Alumni Board. The newly elected members bring experience in finance, consulting, government, and more. The elected members are: Alli Berry (BA '19) Brenda Duverce (MPP '...

News

Education Policy Initiative graduates spread their research skills across the country

Jun 24, 2022

Government consulting, examining the effects of free tuition, teaching sociology – all are activities that recent graduates who worked with the Education Policy Initiative (EPI) at the University of Michigan are pursuing, putting their research and a...

News

Ford School welcomes 2020 alumni to Comeback celebration

May 13, 2022

The Ford School welcomed back the Class of 2020 at a reception in their honor at Weill Hall, in conjunction with the University of Michigan Comeback Commencement Ceremony. Some 100 alumni, faculty, staff and families attended the event. Thou...

Photo, taken from above, of attendees at the Class of 2020 Comeback Commencement reception

Alumni spotlight

Sierra Stephens (BA ‘20) helps businesses invest in a sustainable future

Apr 29, 2022

When the global pandemic locked down international travel and postponed her fellowship in 2020, Sierra Stephens (BA ‘20) took time to reflect on her long-term goals. She turned her car into a camper and set out to explore national parks in the southw...

Alumni spotlight

Katie D’Hondt Brooks (BA ‘12) creates a safer digital world and develops people-focused solutions

Mar 30, 2022

After Katie D’Hondt Brooks (BA ‘12) graduated from the Ford School, she worked at Partnership for Public Service where she managed a set of programs meant to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in public service. She thought she would work ...

Alumni spotlight

Geoff Gamm (BA ‘18) shapes social care policy through technology

Mar 9, 2022

While studying at the Ford School, Geoff Gamm (BA’ 18) focused on health care policy, and planned to continue his studies in public health after graduation. Looking for a break from academia, he went to work as a project manager at Epic, an electroni...

News

Ford School alum Cydney Gardner-Brown wins prestigious Rangel Fellowship

Feb 15, 2022

The Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University has awarded Ford School alum Cydney Gardner-Brown the 2022 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide selection process. The Range...

News

Welcome newly-elected 2022 Alumni Board members

Dec 16, 2021

Six Ford School alumni have been elected to serve on the Alumni Board by their peers. The newly elected members are all engaged alumni, bringing experience from numerous fields, including environmental work, philanthropy, consulting, government, and ...

Headshots of Ed Chu, Tosha Downey, Sam Geller, Latesha Love-Grayer, Jackson Voss, and Kevin Sweitzer

News

Ford School Fulbright winners to teach in Europe

Aug 3, 2021

Two Ford School BA ‘21 graduates will be going to Europe this year, serving as English Teaching Assistants (ETA), thanks to the Fulbright Scholarship Program. Molly Kalb will be working in primary or secondary schools in Cyprus, while Magdalena Mihay...

Alumni spotlight

Matisse Rogers (BA ‘19) on the importance of communication in public affairs and its impact on communities

Jun 25, 2021

Matisse Rogers (BA ‘19) is an associate at Hamilton Place Strategies (HPS), a public affairs consulting firm based in Washington, DC. She believes that helping her clients be clear, concise, and persuasive in their communication has helped them achie...

State & Hill

Spring 2021 Class Notes

Jun 10, 2021

Alan Miller (MPP/JD ‘74) coauthored a new book, Cut Super Climate Pollutants Now!, with Durwood Zaelke and Stephen O. Andersen (April 2021, Changemakers Books). Maureen Donohue Krauss (MPP ’85) was recently named president/CEO of the Detroit Regional...

Bobby Byrd (MPP '05) and Vivian Byrd (MPP '06)

Alumni spotlight

Julia Friedman (BA ‘10) believes that good international trade policy means investing at home and abroad

Feb 23, 2021

Julia Friedman (BA ‘10) looks back on her experience at the Ford School as pivotal, propelling her into the world of politics and public service, and preparing her for future success. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said. ...

State & Hill

Fall 2020 Class Notes

Dec 9, 2020

Patrick Larkey (MPP ‘71, PhD ‘75) is living the dream at Ariel Pointe of Sachse, Texas where he is writing an unredacted, personal history of the public policy field from its outset. Any old-timers willing to share vivid or not so vivid recollections...

Alumni spotlight

Caroline Andridge (BA ‘14) keeps a person-centered approach to humanitarian relief

Aug 27, 2020

Even in high school, Caroline Andridge (BA '14) had a vision of shaping policy that would impact an individual’s quality of life. She came to Michigan already intending to apply to the Ford School. She said: "I was drawn to the ability to dig in...

Alumni spotlight

Former Riecker Fellow Chelsea Davis (BA ‘15/MPP ‘19) tackles emergent issues on the Hill

Aug 25, 2020

Chelsea Davis (BA '15/MPP '19) spent her last year in graduate school working on the Hill for Senator Gary Peters during her Riecker Fellowship. After graduation, she signed on as his full-time legislative aide. Tackling issues like protecting the po...

Africa's Strategic Role in Charting a New Economic and Policy Path

Mar 26, 2024, 1:00-2:30 pm EDT

Betty Ford Classroom (Room 1110)

Former United Nations Under-Secretary General and the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), will join us to discuss the intricate relationship between health equity and economic resilience in Africa. Dr. Songwe's insights will highlight Africa's role in global power dynamics and strategies for asserting its agency amid evolving economic landscapes.

Welcome HoMe celebration

Sep 23, 2022, 3:30-8:00 pm EDT

Sep 24, 2022, 12:00-3:30 pm EDT

Joan and Sanford Weill Hall

The Ford School warmly welcomes back our graduates for Homecoming this fall!

Photo of Burton Tower, with the interior lit in blue and maize lights

Ford School 2020 Comeback Commencement reception

May 6, 2022, 3:30-5:00 pm EDT

Weill Hall, Great Hall

The Ford School invites graduates from the class of 2020, who are planning to attend the University’s 2020 Comeback Commencement, to an afternoon reception at Weill Hall.