Dear University Community:

Yesterday was the final Regents’ meeting of 2024. I was pleased to share with them some of the great things that have been going on at our university and with our faculty, staff and students. Here are a few of the highlights I shared with the Regents: 

UM-Flint collects online programming accolades from Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com has recognized the university in several disciplines of its 2025 rankings of the top online programs in the U.S. According to its website, Intelligent.com provides "unbiased research to help students make informed decisions about higher education programs. The website offers curated guides with the best degree programs and information about financial aid, internships, and study strategies. Intelligent.com is a trusted source among students and prospective students with comprehensive, user-friendly guides and hundreds of program rankings."

UM-Flint garnered five top 25 rankings:

• Best online master's in liberal arts degree programs (13th)
• Best online respiratory therapy degree programs (13th)
• Best master's in liberal arts degree programs (15th)
• Best online master's in education degree programs (no GRE) (17th)
• Most affordable online bachelor's in early childhood education programs (22nd)

The rankings site also recognized UM-Flint for its "Best early childhood education degree programs" (45th) and "Best online early childhood education degree programs" (47th). 

DPS receives $935K in grant funding for community development
Many know UM-Flint's Department of Public Safety for offering services like Safe Ride, being visible at many campus events, and patrolling the streets of downtown Flint, thereby ensuring the campus community's safety. However, this is only a portion of DPS's work, as much of it benefits the Flint community. To that end, DPS has recently been awarded $935,000 from the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards to continue building its community policing capability, enhancing the department's opportunity to serve the campus and surrounding area. The nearly $1 million grant focuses on youth crime intervention, aiming to connect at-risk youth with resources to set them on the right path, as well as programs and events that encourage safe and responsible choices.

Moot Court team members advance to national tourney prelim competition
The team of Sami Kotob, a senior political science major from Grand Blanc, and Alyssia Washington, a senior political science major from Flint, made it to the semifinal round at the Great Lakes Regional Moot Court Competition. Their performance earned the duo a spot in the preliminary rounds of the upcoming Moot Court National Tournament in Houston, Jan. 10-11, at the University of Houston Law Center. The UM-Flint Moot Court team is a cocurricular opportunity for students to become familiar with oral argument and brief writing concepts. Each fall semester, the team participates in competitions through the American Moot Court Association. The competitions focus on appellate advocacy, where students argue hypothetical U.S. Supreme Court cases.

Alum McCoy named 2024-25 Flint Artist in Residence
UM-Flint alum and interdisciplinary teaching artist Janice McCoy was named the 2024-25 Flint Artist in Residence, sponsored by UMS. A Maize & Blue Scholar who graduated with degrees in visual arts education and studio arts in 2018, McCoy works for the Flint Institute of Arts as its 2-D program manager, and her work has been exhibited across Michigan. McCoy’s early studies in biology inform her approach, which involves research and reflection on human interaction and connection with the natural world, and she is deeply inspired by the Flint River and the city’s connection to its green spaces. During her tenure, McCoy intends to collaborate across campus and disciplines to create a body of work that explores the community’s relationship with nature and the built environment. She’ll also share her expertise in blending printmaking, drawing and painting during visiting artist workshops with current UM-Flint art students. 

MSW program granted Pre-Candidacy status on the path to accreditation
The College of Health Sciences has announced that its Master of Social Work program has been granted Pre-Candidacy status by the Council on Social Work Education, marking a significant milestone toward achieving full accreditation. The MSW program, which welcomed 15 students this fall, is on its path for a full accreditation review during the June 2027 CSWE Board of Accreditation agenda for retroactive accreditation dating back to fall 2024. This ensures that degrees earned from that point forward will meet CSWE's rigorous academic standards. The program offers a flexible learning environment, combining online coursework with in-person internships to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. Full-time and part-time options are available for regular and advanced standing status, and students can attend synchronous Zoom classes in the evenings.

School of Nursing celebrates 50th anniversary
The university’s School of Nursing looked back at its first 50 years at a Nov. 13 celebration at Flint’s Sloan Museum. According to organizers, the event highlighted “the school’s profound impact in the community and beyond, showcasing key programs such as the Healing Hearts Afterschool Pre-Nursing Program at Hamady High School, the Remote Area Medical initiative, and various international study opportunities.” Additionally, the Luke Project was recognized for excelling in experiential student learning, contributing to vital prenatal and postpartum care for mothers in Flint. Current grant awards were praised, as well as the scholarship efforts of faculty to include national recognition in transcultural health care. The celebration emphasized SON’s commitment to service, compassion and excellence and honored the dedication of its faculty, staff and students.  

CIT professor aims to improve information literacy with AI
Assistant computer science professor Steve Wilson is working on a project to help people understand how news is framed on social media and how that framing can influence what they believe. A growing number of people get their news from platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter), where posts often include the personal opinions or spin of the person sharing the story. This can change how people interpret the original news, whether it’s been fact-checked or not. To address this issue, Wilson is developing AI models that can detect framing at the source. His team is collecting examples of news and social media posts, training AI to identify framing devices, and testing how those devices affect readers' understanding. The goal is to create tools—like browser extensions, for example—that can automatically suggest alternative perspectives or push back against inaccuracies when needed. As the online information landscape becomes increasingly complex, Wilson hopes that his research could soon provide a reliable compass.  

Men's club hockey joins ACHA Division I
The university’s men's club hockey team has announced its promotion to the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I beginning with the 2025-26 season, marking a significant milestone in the program's history. With the move, the hockey team will become the seventh member of the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League, alongside Northwood University, Oakland University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Toledo, Western Michigan University, and Central Michigan University. The team, founded in 2007, is a part of the Club Sports program within the Department of Recreational Services. The primary mission of the ACHA is to support the growth of collegiate hockey while emphasizing academic performance, personal development, and opportunities for regional, national and international competition.

APPROVAL ITEMS
A complete list of all approval items can be found on the Regents’ website.

As 2024 draws to a close, I wish all our faculty, staff and students a healthy and happy holiday season and an even better 2025.

All the best, and as always, Go Flint and Go Blue!

Laurence B. Alexander, JD, Ph.D.
Chancellor