Office of Government and Community Relations

A Vital Partner to an Engaged Community

The University of Michigan-Flint embraces its location in Flint by engaging in an active, reciprocal relationship with the city, the region, and beyond, partnering to create opportunities for student learning and academic research that has value for communities locally and around the world.  

UM-Flint will expand engagement with Flint and surrounding communities that is anchored to student development and learning, matching university strengths and expertise with areas of community interest and developing new and enhanced partnerships with businesses, government, community organizations, and others who contribute to the growth and vitality of the Flint region. 

• We will expand opportunities for students to engage directly in community organizations and projects, learning critical skills for life success and developing a network of expert resources that will be of value to all involved. 
• We will continue to build partnerships with other universities, health care organizations, K-12 schools, and cultural programs to expand student opportunities and support the growth of a critical mass of talent, jobs, and programming that attracts businesses, residents, and visitors to Flint and Genesee County. 
• We will support faculty and student-applied research and discoveries that add to knowledge and improve health and well-being, education, economic growth, access to resources, and quality of life broadly for communities in Flint and around the world. 
• We will continue to invest in UM-Flint facilities and the beauty and security of the campus, contributing to a thriving downtown and reclaiming the river as a centerpiece of the campus and community.

Our Mission

The Office of Government and Community Relations advances the University of Michigan-Flint’s mission and vision by serving as the university’s primary liaison with local, state, and federal governments, public agencies, business and industry, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. The Office cultivates strategic partnerships, advocates for public policies and investments that strengthen higher education, and connects the university’s teaching, research, innovation, engaged learning, service, and economic development initiatives with the needs and aspirations of the Flint community, the State of Michigan, and beyond.

The Office champions collaborations that expand educational access, strengthen student success, foster civic engagement, stimulate economic development, and enhance the quality of life throughout the region. Through strategic advocacy and partnerships, the Office helps create opportunities that empower students, strengthen communities, and advance the University’s role as an engine of innovation, opportunity, and public service.

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