Academics in Action

Since 1956, the University of Michigan-Flint has embraced the importance of "doing" as fundamental to each student's personal, professional, and academic growth. As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, we too are committed to the development of the next generation of "Leaders and Best."

At UM-Flint, the best leaders engage issues head-on, explore varying points of view, seek input from others, and become as familiar with realities as they do theories.

UM-Flint faculty from over 100 areas of study pour their expertise and creativity into the development of research and service-learning projects that match course curriculum with today's most-pressing issues. Such projects bring learning to life, address community needs, and fulfill students' desires to contribute to "something bigger than themselves."

Action-oriented academics is at the heart of the University of Michigan-Flint experience—and why our graduates are so highly sought by employers looking for leaders who know how to get things done.

Mission

The University of Michigan-Flint is a comprehensive urban university of diverse learners and scholars committed to advancing our local and global communities. In the University of Michigan tradition, we value excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship; student centeredness; and engaged citizenship. Through personal attention and dedicated faculty and staff, our students become leaders and best in their fields, professions, and communities.

Recent Actions

CONNECTING CommunitIES

The University of Michigan-Flint was selected as the first recipient of the "Engaged Campus of Year Award" presented by the Michigan Campus Compact. University Outreach continues to expand its efforts to facilitate learning and engagement through thoughtful collaboration and partnerships with campus and community.

Campus COMMUNity helps Launch new Strategic plan

Nearly 100 UM-Flint faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders contributed to and helped construct UM-Flint's new strategic plan, carrying the university through to its 60th anniversary in 2016. The comprehensive and ambitious plan calls for action on over 100 initiatives.

Innovation in k-12 education

UM-Flint has successful K-12 partnerships with institutions throughout mid-Michigan, including Lapeer Community Schools, the Genesee Intermediate School District and its Genesee Early College, Flint Community Schools, and others. In the fall of 2012, the Dual Enrollment Educational Partnership (DEEP) program will be offered for all Livingston County High School students, allowing them to earn free college credits while still in high school.

Transforming with Technology

Professor John Girdwood connected with Academy Award-winning filmmaker (and former UM-Flint student) Michael Moore via Twitter, and invited Moore to participate via Skype in a discussion with students in Girdwood's SOC 325 class, Family Sociology. Students asked Moore questions "virtually face-to-face" about his upbringing in the Flint area.

World wise, worldwide

While UM-Flint's new housing facilities have spurred increases in the number of international students living and learning on campus, domestic student participation in Study Abroad opportunities has increased 45% over the same period of time. New Study Abroad programs such as the Wyatt History Exploration Program provide unique opportunities for students to explore the 'global classroom' firsthand.

Upgrading resources, Expanding footprint

UM-Flint's School of Management (SOM) moved from the William S. White Building to the Riverfront Center in January 2012. The newly remodeled, state-of-the-art space features innovative classrooms, interactive digital displays, special meeting and study areas for students, a new finance lab, and a new 24/7 computer lab.

Mastering public health

The UM-Flint Department of Public Health and Health Services in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Public Health now offers the Master of Public Health by combining the Certificate in Foundations of Public Health (CFPH) program with additional UM-Flint coursework.

Home for Heroes

In recent years, UM-Flint has invested resources into a series of initatives to improve the way the university serves veteran and active-duty members of the military. UM-Flint's Student Veterans Support Program (SVSP) has helped establish a Veterans Resource Center on campus,  a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter, and helped UM-Flint become a charter member of SALUTE, the National Veterans Honor Society. These efforts were cited by the Pat Tillman Foundation when it named UM-Flint as one of its 14 Tillman Military Scholar partners.