Archived Newsletters | 2024

November 2024 Edition

In this edition

• From the Desk of the Interim Provost
• Academic Unit Featured Stories
• From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
• From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
• Recruiting Trip to India
• FCCA Engagement
• MASFAA Lifetime Achievement Award
• ODE Corner
• Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
• Faculty Spotlight | Elizabeth Cunningham
• Staff Spotlight | Lori Vedder
• CEW+ Student Awards
• Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan
• Faculty Resources
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share some recent highlights from the Office of the VPAA:
We recently co-hosted a successful virtual research mixer with the University of Greifswald in mid-October. We had a high level of engagement from both institutions. (…)

We are currently working on identifying actionable next steps for follow-up initiatives, which we look forward to sharing with you soon. 

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management

The Office for the VPEM has had a busy few months with a lot of activity regarding recruitment, retention, and graduation rates. This fall, the University of Michigan-Flint saw the highest enrollment increase of all Michigan public universities. Coming in with a 6.51% increase, UM-Flint bucked the trend of falling college enrollments. Congratulations to the campus for all the efforts and support in enrolling and retaining our students. A special thank you to the Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions teams. Their hard work and perseverance are reflected in our fall numbers.

Recruiting Trip to India

This August, Christopher Lewis, Zachariah Mathew, and Joe Vainner traveled to India as part of the international student recruitment strategy for UM-Flint. Their primary goals were to build personal relationships with recruiters, expand networking opportunities with schools, understand cultural influences on destination and college choices, enhance visibility, and raise awareness of the UM-Flint brand.

FCCA Engagement

Being part of the UM-Flint Campus community allows Flint Cultural Center Academy High School students to interact with the university faculty. Throughout the academic year, different academic programs offer various engagement and enrichment opportunities for FCCA students to expand their exposure to different career pathways and disciplines in areas such as healthcare, technology, arts, and business.

MASFAA Lifetime Achievement Award

Lori Vedder has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a MASFAA member who has made important and unique contributions to the financial aid profession and MASFAA’s goals.

Office of Online and Digital Education Corner

The ODE provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in developing and delivering online courses and programs at UM-Flint. Explore the latest information for online teaching and learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities, and more.

Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates

The Thompson Library participates in several agreements with publishers to waive or discount the Article Processing Charges for authors. We encourage UM-Flint faculty, staff, and students to utilize these credits as another potential avenue for publishing opportunities.

Faculty Spotlight | Elizabeth Cunningham

(…) teachers engage with the mathematical thinking of children by focusing on formative assessment, learning progressions, and mathematics education research. When intertwined, these aspects of education provide teachers with ways to explore, understand, and use children’s mathematical thinking to enrich interactions and instruction.

Staff Spotlight | Lori Vedder

I have had the distinct honor of serving the University of Michigan – Flint for over 35 years all in the financial aid office. Financial Aid is a profession one does not seek as a career. Most begin as a student worker and never leave the field. For me, it was an admissions background and some time spent working on the Ann Arbor campus in the graduate school of engineering. (…)
Financial aid is an interesting profession. Things are always changing, and as a team, we work to keep our campus in compliance. Knowing we have a voice at the state and federal level through advocacy efforts keeps the passion alive.

CEW+ Student Awards

Congratulations to five UM-Flint students: Shalini Augenstein (CHS), Tracey Finall (SOM), Naomi Pee (SON), Shannon Wallace (CHS), and Tomika White (SON), who received a 2024-25 CEW+ award!
CEW+ provides immediate and ongoing services and financial support to ensure educational success and degree completion.

Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan

Do you have ideas, feedback, or suggestions for academic affairs on our campus?
Interim Provost Kandogan invites you to an informal conversation. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and share your feedback. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP, and you will receive a calendar invite for your selected session.

In this edition

• From the Desk of the Interim Provost
• Academic Unit Featured Stories
• From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
• From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
• ODE Corner
• Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
• Faculty Spotlight | Beverly Dabney
• Staff Spotlight | Laura Martin
• Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan
• Faculty Resources
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

I hope your fall semester is off to a productive start!

The VPAA office is currently engaged in launching multiple initiatives in collaboration with both higher education and K-12 institutions, both within Michigan and internationally.

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management

Our enrollment numbers for Fall 24 look promising with increases over the past year for undergraduate, graduate, and transfer students. Campus will release official numbers soon. 

We are working to increase our international recruitment efforts through stronger relationships, networking and building our agent contracts. Four staff visited several recruitment events abroad over the past three weeks. We are excited to see where these efforts assist with international student growth in Fall 2025.

All campus academic advisor lunch was hosted on September 10. These events provide an opportunity for leadership under the provost area to connect with advisors, listen to concerns, provide feedback on progress made on prior topics brought forth, and keep open lines of communication to assist with retention efforts.

Lori Vedder
Interim Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
& Director of Financial Aid

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.

Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates

Librarians, our archivists, and staff have been working hard over the summer preparing for the semester.

Faculty Spotlight | Beverly Dabney

“My current research in nursing education focuses on the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the nursing curriculum. My aim is to equip nursing students with innovative tools and evidence-based guidance to enhance their learning experiences and future practice.(…)

Staff Spotlight | Laura Martin

(…) My life and graduate studies have informed my student-centered philosophy. Everyone comes from a different background, with unique experiences and challenges. In all things I do, I try to be inclusive and understanding of differences. I am so thankful for the students and coworkers I have met over the years at UM-Flint from a variety of backgrounds.(…)

Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan

Do you have ideas, feedback, or suggestions related to academic affairs on our campus?
Interim Provost Kandogan invites you to an informal conversation where you will have an opportunity to ask questions and share your feedback. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP and you will receive a calendar invite for your selected session.

In this edition

• From the Desk of the Interim Provost
• Academic Unit Featured Stories
• From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
• From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
• Susan Gano-Phillips | Fulbright Program Award
• Faculty Resources
• ODE Corner
• Doug Zytko National Science Foundation Career Award
• Faculty Spotlight
• Staff Spotlight
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Dear UM-Flint Colleagues:
I hope you are having a nice summer!
The VPAA office is busy during the summer months, hosting new events and preparing for the fall semester.

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management

We’re getting ready for Fall! Preliminary freshmen, transfer and graduate enrollment for the Fall Term is looking positive, with a few more orientation sessions to go. We are very optimistic about our fall numbers. Financial aid offer notifications are continuing to be sent weekly to all students. FAFSA filing numbers overall are up at UM-Flint. Regular communication with students is ongoing. 

Lori Vedder
Interim Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
& Director of Financial Aid

Susan Gano-Phillips | Fulbright Program Award

Susan Gano-Phillips, professor of psychology at the University of Michigan-Flint, recently received a Fulbright Scholar Award for 2025. It is her second time taking home the honor, having done so in 2008. (…) This time around, beginning in January 2025, Gano-Phillips will be affiliated with the University of Namibia, where she will provide leadership and professional development to the university’s faculty and staff while teaching in its psychology programs.   

Faculty Resources

At the University of Michigan-Flint, we firmly uphold the principles that empower the faculty to freely conduct research and teach, express their ideas and engage in robust discourse while doing so without reprisal.

The University offers various resources and support to the faculty experiencing threats and/or harassment.

ODE Corner

Review the newest resources provided by ODE!

Doug Zytko National Science Foundation Career Award

On June 18, Congressman Dan Kildee announced a $567,968 grant, awarded to UM-Flint by the U.S. NSF, to design, develop, and evaluate technology that would help promote safe online interactions through research being conducted by Douglas Zytko, associate professor of computer science in our College of Innovation and Technology. The project is titled: “CAREER: Designing, Developing, and Evaluating Consent Technologies to Reduce Unwanted Interpersonal Behavior.” 

Faculty Spotlight | Suzanne Knight

(…) In the Office of K12 Partnerships, we communicate to high school students and their families that what we offer is of value to them. What we also offer, though, is of even greater worth to them because, despite its critics, I do not believe we can adequately measure the humanizing impact that higher education can have. And while it might sound cliche, it remains one of the most powerful ways to advance our democratic ideals. I will forever champion higher education for these reasons(…)

Staff Spotlight | Zachariah Mathew

(…) During my 30 years of working as an educator and administrator for diverse populations, I have come to believe that being an effective educator is a relationship that is founded on trust and stewardship. I believe the core values essential to being an effective higher education administrator and educator are trust, credibility, competency, collaboration, empowerment, and integrity.

In this edition

• From the Desk of the Interim Provost
• Featured Article: Global Flint Initiative
• From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
• From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
• CGE Announcement
• ODE Corner
• Library Article
• Update on 4th-Year Argument
• Faculty Spotlight
• Staff Spotlight
• Academic Unit Featured Stories
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the Desk of the Interim Provost

More and more of our programs continue to be ranked highly in national lists. Most recently the new 2024 US News Best Graduate Schools rankings included our education and business programs.

Featured Article: Global Flint Initiative

On March 5, 2024 The International Center of Greater Flint (ICGF) launched their Global Flint initiative with UM-Flint faculty Sasha Drummond-Lewis, Associate Professor of Sociology, Emily Feuerherm, Associate Professor of Linguistics, and Jennifer Alvey, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Women’s and Gender Studies. 

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Representatives from our interdisciplinary iGEPA team, including myself, Rajib Ganguly, Maggie Golembiewski, and Jennifer Alvey, are attending the AAC&U General Education, Pedagogy, and Assessment Conference and Forum on Transformational Leadership this month.

From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management

The Student Success Center and Orientation teams are gearing up for another busy season of new student orientation sessions.

Center for Global Engagement Announcement

Two University of Michigan-Flint students became recipients of the prestigious U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship Award to study foreign languages abroad.

ODE Corner

The Office of Online and Digital Education (ODE) provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in the development and delivery of online courses and programs. Click on the link to find the latest information for online teaching and learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities, and more.

Frances Willson Thompson Library – End of Semester Events and Summer Support

As the end of the semester looms, we are gearing up for finals along with the rest of campus with a series of fortunate events to help students along the way. Please share these opportunities with any and all students.

Update on 4th-Year Argument

The HLC assurance argument effort has been in progress since early fall 2023. A large committee of volunteers have been gathering data and writing drafts addressing the HLC criteria for accreditation.

Faculty Spotlight | Jacob Lederman

(…) My current project examines the social and political history of an urban planning concept called “placemaking.” Placemaking has a long and complex history but – in brief – it argues that communities should participate in decisions about urban development and design. Placemaking is often associated with smaller urban interventions such as mural arts or “pocket parks”.

Staff Spotlight | Christopher Lewis

“(…) I work to cultivate partnerships to ensure that students have seamless transitions through higher education while also staying on top of emerging trends and best practices in the field, continuously seeking opportunities for innovation and improvement to better serve students.”

In this edition

• From the Desk of the Interim Provost
• From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
• From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management
• ODE Article
• Library Article
• Faculty Spotlight
• Staff Spotlight
• Academic Unit Featured Stories
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the Desk of the Interim Provost

(…) More good news: Several online programs received great rankings recently: UM-Flint is now ranked 218 (up by 13) among online master’s programs in education; top 60 among online bachelor’s programs in business for four years in a row; and institutionally 224 among overall online bachelor’s programs.

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Greetings UM-Flint Colleagues, 
I am pleased to share with you some highlights from the VPAA office:

From the Desk of Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management

Click on the link for updates on Enrollment, Financial Aid, and from the Office of the Registrar.

ODE Article

The Office of Online and Digital Education (ODE) provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in the development and delivery of online courses and programs. Click on the link to find the latest information for online teaching and learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities, and more.

Library Article

Supporting Our Campus’ Research and Recreational Needs.

Faculty Spotlight | Laura Smith

Laura Smith was recently nominated for and accepted as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Physical Therapy. (…) “This distinction not only validates my professional achievements but also reaffirms my enduring dedication to fostering excellence, innovation, and advocacy within the physical therapy profession,” Smith said.

Staff Spotlight | Suzanne Adam

(…) When asked about her philosophy of student support, she said: “I believe in meeting each student where they are in their journey. Each transfer student has a different goal for their education, as well as when they will be ready to transfer. (…) I always want a student to walk away knowing what their next steps will be and feel that their questions have been answered.”