Who we are
The Ford School at the University of Michigan is a top-ranked public policy school dedicated to the public good. The school inspires and prepares diverse leaders grounded in service, conducts transformational research, and collaborates...
The Ford School at the University of Michigan is a community dedicated to the public good. We inspire and prepare diverse leaders grounded in service, conduct transformational research, and collaborate on evidence-based policymaking to take on our...
The University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) are proud to announce a new partnership to help launch promising students on a path toward careers in public service. Qualified CHCI...
Celeste M. Watkins-Hayes, interim dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and a scholar known for her research on the organizational implementation of social policy and societal safety nets, has been recommended as the school’s next Joan...
On March 15, the Ford School community raised the bar once again for the number of donors in a single day, garnering more than $43,000 for student support. It was part of U-M’s Giving Blueday celebration, a day devoted to philanthropy for U-M causes...
Dean Celeste Watkins-Hayes, DEI Officer Stephanie Sanders, and Associate DEI Officer Dominique Adams-Santos provide an update on how the Ford School is examining, learning, and connecting with our community to further Diversity, Equity, and...
The Ford School is proud to announce that the Rackham Graduate School awarded Mandy Mitchell (MPP ‘22) with the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) Award.
Mitchell served as the GSI for PubPol 580: Values & Ethics in Public Policy from...
As part of its One Million Black Women (OMBW) initiative, Goldman Sachs becomes the inaugural funder of the Ford School’s Center for Racial Justice Visiting Fellows Program.
The investment will fund one visiting fellow for the 2022-2023 academic...
The Ford School will be celebrating the graduating Classes of 2022 on Saturday, April 30 at 4:30 p.m. at an outdoor commencement ceremony at the iconic Elbel Field.
Just down the road from Weill Hall at the corner of S. Division and Hill, Elbel...
Ford School faculty are experts in poverty and inequality, trade and economic development, health policy, energy policy, and more. In the past year they have been recognized for their outstanding scholarship, excellent teaching, and policy...
A new $5 million gift from Joan and Sanford “Sandy” I. Weill and the Weill Family Foundation to the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan will provide endowed support for three graduate fellowships in perpetuity. The...
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...
At a time when democratic institutions are under pressure and the University of Michigan community is looking to engage, U-M will continue Democracy & Debate, its university-wide collaboration on democratic engagement, through the 2021-22 academic...
Marco Ramirez (MPP ‘23) has been named as the inaugural Kohn Scholar. He was chosen for his outstanding qualifications and his promise for future leadership in the field of social policy.
Ramirez believes health policy is the best vehicle to...
A letter from Ford School Dean Michael Barr
Dear friends:
It’s my great pleasure to welcome our community back together for the 2021-2022 school year.
Let me start by acknowledging that this won’t be a “normal” year for the University of...
Seven of the Ford School’s dynamic research centers have launched new websites. Building on the Ford School’s own modern web design and technical capabilities, the new websites convey the energy and innovation of each center. Participating research...
This fall, the Ford School welcomes several new faculty with expertise in education and social policy, national security, and racial justice, and who will help build students’ leadership and negotiation skills. In addition, visiting faculty with...
The University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy is launching a new Center for Racial Justice designed to expand knowledge about the complex intersections between race and public policy and create a community of leaders, scholars and students...
When the Ford School welcomes students to campus for the fall 2021 semester, we’ll be excited to show off some notable improvements to Weill Hall.
“We’ve made some renovations that we hope create a more inclusive space for our community, and...
Congratulations to Christie Baer, Avery Moje, and Rebecca Cohen for receiving the 2021 Staff Recognition Award. Baer, Moje, and Cohen exemplify high standards of professionalism and have made meaningful contributions to the Ford School.
Baer is...
This spring, the Ford School finishes the implementation of our 5-year strategic plan for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), launched in 2016 in concert with a University-wide set of coordinated DEI plans. This summer we will develop strategic...
Today, the University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the appointment of Celeste Watkins-Hayes as the associate dean for academic affairs at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Watkins-Hayes is the Jean E. Fairfax Collegiate Professor...
On March 10, the Ford School set a record for the most gifts made to the school in a single day. It was part of U-M’s Giving Blue Day celebration, a day devoted to philanthropy for U-M causes that people love most.
Through emails, video, and...
With a $750,000 grant from the Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation, the Ford School will grow its innovative Leadership Initiative.
Launched as a pilot in the 2019-2020 academic year, the Ford School’s Leadership Initiative offers...
A set of gifts totaling $17 million from the Kohn Charitable Trust will establish a resource hub at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy to catalyze interdisciplinary research on policy that promotes social equity and...
The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan is recognized again as one of America’s top graduate programs in public affairs, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.
According to the rankings, based...
Regent Weiser's statements regarding three of Michigan's top elected leaders and two of Michigan's Congressional representatives do not reflect the values of the University, as President Schlissel has stated.
His statements are also...
On March 25, the University of Michigan Regents approved the appointment of Katherine Michelmore as associate professor of public policy, with tenure, effective August 30, 2021.
Michelmore is a leading scholar and educator on the social safety...
Pilot pre-doctoral program prepares policy school graduates to pursue academic careers, broadening and diversifying pipeline for future faculty
The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy is launching a new pre-doctoral research program — in...
The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy has opened applications for fall 2021 for our top-ranked graduate programs: Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Affairs (MPA).
The Ford School community is engaged in public policy at a...