Celeste Watkins-Hayes, PhD
Interim DeanGerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
It’s an exciting time for the Ford School, and a time of many transitions as well. I’m thrilled to serve as interim Dean of the Ford School as a search for a permanent dean is underway. I’m joined by our two wonderful associate deans, Luke Shaefer, associate dean for academic affairs, and John Ciorciari, associate dean for research and policy engagement. Michael Barr began his service as Vice Chair for Supervision at the Federal Reserve Bank in July. He joins former Ford School Dean Susan Collins, now President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, as a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee. In June, Susan received the U-M Regents’ Citation of Honor for her dedication and service to the university as Provost.
In July, we successfully launched our Springboard program for incoming MPP and MPA students, a virtual training program in basic quantitative reasoning. Designed and taught by Ford School faculty, the program provides an on-ramp that helps prepare incoming graduate students for the outstanding, rigorous analytic training they’ll receive in Weill Hall. We look forward to offering this again next summer.
With a focus on building community, we started “Food for Thought,” a monthly lunch gathering for students, faculty, and staff to discuss timely policy issues. Each session features a different faculty member who sets the stage for the chosen topic. This program has created fun and robust conversations!
U.S. News & World Report again recognized the Ford School as #1 in social policy and a top graduate program for public affairs in 2022. We’ve added two impressive faculty who will further deepen our expertise. They include Megan Stewart, an expert in international political conflict and revolutionary movements, and Sam Bagenstos as the inaugural Arlene Susan Kohn Professor of Social Policy, who also holds an appointment as the Frank G. Millard Professor of Law. We also welcomed visiting faculty who enrich our course offerings and connect students to new policymaking communities. Our Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation Policymakers in Residence include Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Hardy Vieux. Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun and Ambassador (Ret.) Dan Shields join us as Weiser Diplomacy Center (WDC) policymakers in residence.
We have a fantastic inaugural cohort of Center for Racial Justice Visiting Fellows; Atinuke Adediran, Makeda Easter, and Julian Brave NoiseCat. Recognized as social justice changemakers, fellows are engaging with the university community to produce catalyst projects that have the potential to inform public debate, policy development, and scholarly analysis pertinent to anti-racism and racial justice.
Our faculty continue to be recognized for their amazing work. Associate Dean Luke Shaefer was honored with one of two 2021 U-M Presidential Awards for Public Engagement for his work on the expanded Child Tax Credit and his dedication to advancing social policy. Professor Dean Yang was recognized for his outstanding support and development of graduate students with the Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award.
We’ve been working diligently to develop our DEI strategic priorities for the period between the completed 5-year strategic plan and the U-M’s next DEI strategic plan, known as DEI 2.0, which will launch in Fall 2023. In the interim, we will continue our momentum and have identified six priorities to work on until the next plan is in place.
We have a full slate of exciting events. During homecoming weekend, we welcomed alumni back to Weill Hall, with special activities for the classes of ‘20 and ‘21. It was just a joy to celebrate together. We continue to host distinguished policymakers, scholars, activists, and writers for events on pressing policy issues, from health equity and social justice to democracy and beyond. Many of these are recorded, hybrid events, and I hope you can tune in or join us at Weill Hall.
Thanks to our donors, fundraising momentum continues at the Ford School. Support from individual donors and foundations opens so many doors for our students and faculty. The Ford School’s good work would not be possible without your support. Thank you for investing in our hardworking students, faculty, and the broader community as we deepen the impact of the Ford School.
With gratitude,
Celeste Watkins-Hayes, PhD
Interim Dean
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
In July, we successfully launched our Springboard program for incoming MPP and MPA students, a virtual training program in basic quantitative reasoning. Designed and taught by Ford School faculty, the program provides an on-ramp that helps prepare incoming graduate students for the outstanding, rigorous analytic training they’ll receive in Weill Hall. We look forward to offering this again next summer.
With a focus on building community, we started “Food for Thought,” a monthly lunch gathering for students, faculty, and staff to discuss timely policy issues. Each session features a different faculty member who sets the stage for the chosen topic. This program has created fun and robust conversations!
U.S. News & World Report again recognized the Ford School as #1 in social policy and a top graduate program for public affairs in 2022. We’ve added two impressive faculty who will further deepen our expertise. They include Megan Stewart, an expert in international political conflict and revolutionary movements, and Sam Bagenstos as the inaugural Arlene Susan Kohn Professor of Social Policy, who also holds an appointment as the Frank G. Millard Professor of Law. We also welcomed visiting faculty who enrich our course offerings and connect students to new policymaking communities. Our Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation Policymakers in Residence include Judge Laurel Beatty Blunt, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, and Hardy Vieux. Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun and Ambassador (Ret.) Dan Shields join us as Weiser Diplomacy Center (WDC) policymakers in residence.
We have a fantastic inaugural cohort of Center for Racial Justice Visiting Fellows; Atinuke Adediran, Makeda Easter, and Julian Brave NoiseCat. Recognized as social justice changemakers, fellows are engaging with the university community to produce catalyst projects that have the potential to inform public debate, policy development, and scholarly analysis pertinent to anti-racism and racial justice.
Our faculty continue to be recognized for their amazing work. Associate Dean Luke Shaefer was honored with one of two 2021 U-M Presidential Awards for Public Engagement for his work on the expanded Child Tax Credit and his dedication to advancing social policy. Professor Dean Yang was recognized for his outstanding support and development of graduate students with the Rackham Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award.
We’ve been working diligently to develop our DEI strategic priorities for the period between the completed 5-year strategic plan and the U-M’s next DEI strategic plan, known as DEI 2.0, which will launch in Fall 2023. In the interim, we will continue our momentum and have identified six priorities to work on until the next plan is in place.
We have a full slate of exciting events. During homecoming weekend, we welcomed alumni back to Weill Hall, with special activities for the classes of ‘20 and ‘21. It was just a joy to celebrate together. We continue to host distinguished policymakers, scholars, activists, and writers for events on pressing policy issues, from health equity and social justice to democracy and beyond. Many of these are recorded, hybrid events, and I hope you can tune in or join us at Weill Hall.
Thanks to our donors, fundraising momentum continues at the Ford School. Support from individual donors and foundations opens so many doors for our students and faculty. The Ford School’s good work would not be possible without your support. Thank you for investing in our hardworking students, faculty, and the broader community as we deepen the impact of the Ford School.
With gratitude,
Celeste Watkins-Hayes, PhD
Interim Dean
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy