UM-Flint The logo for the University of Michigan - Flint

The Pulse Newsletter

May 2026

In this edition

Welcome to the Pulse

Message from Provost Abby Parrill-Baker

Abby Parrill-Baker

Dear Colleagues and Students,

s we approach the close of my first year as your provost, I am investing time for self-reflection and goal-setting.  While I believe we have accomplished a lot together this year, I always look for opportunities to continuously improve.  If you have continuous improvement recommendations for me I would be happy to receive and reflect on them.

As we enter the annual performance reporting and evaluation period, I encourage each of you to engage in self-reflection and identify your own opportunities for continuous improvement.  The shared vision we developed together during this year’s strategic planning process can serve as a guide, particularly our aspiration to become a place “where every student receives personalized support”. For example, faculty might reflect on the typical amount of time between a student’s assignment submission and their receipt of personalized feedback and grades, then set a goal to shorten that turnaround time.  As a faculty member, my personal goal was to ensure that students never waited more than a week for my feedback.  That often required some creativity to ensure that goal was achievable, such as the time I used a deadline registration process to spread the submission and grading of 300 writing assignments to three different points of the term.  Staff that work directly with students might consider whether improvements can be made in email response times or other aspects of their personalized student support.

As my first year here at UM-Flint draws to a close, I am excited about our work together in the coming year and hope you are also.

Reguards,

Abby Parrill-Baker
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Academic Unit Featured Stories

Recent news, stories, and recognitions from across UM-Flint’s colleges and schools.

College of Arts, Sciences & Education

College of Health Sciences

College of Health Sciences and College of Innovation & Technology Collaboration

  • Play Beyond Boundaries: a collaborative initiative focused on creating adaptive ride-on cars for children with different mobility needs.

College of Innovation & Technology

School of Management

School of Nursing

Sapna V. Thwaite

From the Vice Provost for Engaged Learning and Teaching Innovation

As we wrap up the 2025–26 academic year, I want to highlight some of our office’s accomplishments and provide updates on current initiatives. Over the past year, the VP ELTI office has focused on strengthening faculty support and fostering campus-wide engagement.

Read more from the Desk of the VPAA
Stephen W. Turner

From the Desk of the Vice Provost for Academic Strategy and Effectiveness

I’m pleased to share updates on several initiatives underway through the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Strategy and Effectiveness, including the Higher Learning CommissionQuality Initiative, the annual assessment reporting cycle, and the Non-Attendance Reporting Task Force.

Read more from the Desk of the Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation

Update on the ADA Title II Digital Accessibility rule

As previously communicated in the email sent from Information Technology Services on April 20, The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a one-year extension of the compliance deadline for the ADA Title II digital accessibility rule. Regulations that were previously scheduled to take effect on April 24, 2026, are now scheduled to take effect on April 26, 2027.
While this new date offers more flexibility, our commitment to accessibility remains unchanged. Departments and instructors should continue to take proactive steps to ensure their digital content is accessible, usable, and welcoming for all learners. Resources remain available to campus on the UM-Flint digital accessibility website, including access to accessibility guides, workshops and recorded trainings. 

Additional Digital Accessibility Resources

If you have questions or would like additional support, please reach out to flint.accessibility@umich.edu for assistance with tools and services. Thank you for your continued work to ensure that UM-Flint maintains progress toward a more accessible university for all members of our community. 

Chris Lewis wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, and patterned tie standing outdoors on a pathway with greenery in the background.

Graduate Programs Updates

Supporting graduate students does not always require new programs or major initiatives. Small, intentional actions by faculty and staff can have an immediate and meaningful impact on graduate student success, persistence, and well-being.

Read more about Graduate
University of Michigan-Flint logo with text "Online & Digital Education" below it.

The ODE Corner

The Office of Online and Digital Education provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in the development and delivery of online courses and programs at UM-Flint. Find the latest information for online teaching and learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities and more. In this issue, learn about the resources to help you meet new digital accessibility requirements. 

Find the latest information from ODE
Kim Saks with long dark hair wearing gold hoop earrings, a gray cardigan, and a black top against a dark background.

Faculty Spotlight | Kim Saks

This edition’s Faculty Spotlight features Kim Saks, who empowers students to think critically about law, policy, and the world around them through impactful scholarship, community engagement, and a commitment to meaningful dialogue.

Read more about Kim Saks
Kerstin Flynn wearing a gray blazer and teal top, with a blurred indoor background featuring large windows.

Staff Spotlight | Kerstin Flynn

This edition’s Staff Spotlight features Kerstin Flynn, who channels her strong connection to UM-Flint and a passion for collaboration and student success to bring energy and collaborative spirit to her role in Public Health and Health Sciences.

Read more about Kerstin Flynn

The Office of Research

Ash Arder, associate professor of art at the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, received funding in support of her grant application entitled Rock City: Interactive Sculpture Garden, through Arts Research: Incubation & Acceleration program. It is a joint effort conceived and funded through a collaboration between the Arts Initiative and the Office of the Vice President of Research, which seeks to expand the capacity and available support for arts-centered research across campus. This program’s goal is to deepen, expand, and elevate faculty-led research in the arts by funding projects that demonstrate sustained engagement with questions and ideas generated through artmaking/creative practice, as well as other forms of scholarship.

All internal funding opportunities available at U-M campuses curated on InfoReady are searchable through the Research Commons.

Person with long hair sitting on the floor in a library, reading a book with bookshelves in the background.

Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates

The summer months are a time for rest and relaxation for many of our faculty, however if you are taking breaks from all that R&R to work on research or maybe rethinking a course for next year, the library is here to support you.

Read more about the Library updates

Important Dates, Events and Deadlines