Dear Campus Community:
 
Spring is officially here—at least according to the calendar. But when one day calls for a parka, and the next is perfect for shorts, it feels more like the "spring of deception," doesn’t it? While we wait for warmer days to settle in for good, one thing we can count on is the excitement of our upcoming spring commencement ceremonies, which will be here before we know it.

Before we get to that big moment, I want to share some updates from yesterday’s March meeting of the University of Michigan Board of Regents—a chance to highlight the incredible work our faculty, staff and students are doing.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

STUDENT-LED PROGRAM NURTURES NEWBORNS AND FAMILIES TO COMBAT INFANT MORTALITY
NurtureFirst, a student-led initiative at UM-Flint, addresses Michigan’s infant mortality crisis by equipping families with essential education and resources during a child’s first year. Launched initially as MotherNurture in 2021, the program was recently rebranded to reflect a more inclusive approach, supporting diverse family structures, including adoptive and LGBTQIA+ caregivers. Nursing students collaborate with Hurley Medical Center, providing bedside education on critical topics like safe sleep, car seat safety, and postpartum depression. Families receive multilingual materials and newborn supply kits designed to promote infant safety. Beyond benefiting families, NurtureFirst offers nursing students valuable experience in patient education, fostering communication and advocacy skills. With aspirations to expand nationally, the program plans to assess its impact through research on knowledge retention. By prioritizing support over judgment, NurtureFirst is shaping a model for community-centered nursing education while empowering families to navigate early parenthood confidently.

UNIVERSITY RESEARCHER HELPING ASSESS COUNTY HEALTH NEEDS
Reza Amini, associate professor of public health and health sciences, is collaborating with the Genesee County Health Department to support the development of its strategic plan, including a comprehensive community health needs assessment. Utilizing a mixed-method approach integrating quantitative and qualitative research, Amini will moderate nearly a dozen focus group discussions and conduct survey research to gather insights from diverse community stakeholders. The findings will help identify key health priorities and service gaps, ultimately guiding GCHD’s strategic planning and future initiatives. To assist in the project, Amini will be employing the assistance of two undergraduate and three graduate students from the university, providing them with hands-on experience in public health research, data analysis and community engagement.

PAIR OF WOLVERINES RANK 12TH IN AMERICAN MOOT COURT ASSOCIATION TOURNEY
After placing in the Great Lakes Regional Moot Court competition in November 2024, recent graduate Sami Kotob and current senior Alyssia Washington competed in January’s national preliminary rounds in Houston. They ultimately ranked 12th in the nation for their oral arguments and fifth for their written advocacy, making them the highest-ranked moot court team among all three U-M campuses. "Sami and Alyssia have shown the talent and tenacity of UM-Flint; they represented the university proudly, and I could not be happier with the result,” said Kim Saks, UM-Flint's moot court advisor.

UM-FLINT NAMES 14 STUDENTS AS MAIZE & BLUE SCHOLARS
The Maize & Blue Award is the highest academic recognition for undergraduate students during commencement season. It is presented to at most 26 students per year who excel academically and exemplify intellectual maturity and depth, character, talent and service to the university and the community. A faculty committee selects the recipients, and faculty and staff write letters of recommendation for students applying for the award. The complete list of winter 2025 recipients can be found here. 

FRANCES WILLSON THOMPSON LIBRARY TO HOST STATE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
UM-Flint’s Frances Willson Thompson Library will host the Michigan Academic Library Association’s annual conference at the Riverfront Conference Center this May 18-20. The event, which will feature presentations, poster proposals and scholarship opportunities,  will bring together approximately 200 academic library workers from colleges and universities across the state. Barbara McQuade, professor of law at the University of Michigan, will serve as keynote speaker.

FACULTY COHORT TO ATTEND PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM
The deans of UM-Flint’s schools and college have nominated a group of seven faculty members to attend the “New Leadership Academy,” a nationally recognized program “crafted to equip mid-career faculty leaders with tools to tackle today's rapidly changing higher education landscape” at the University of Utah. Faculty are contributing to the academy’s content by hosting monthly on-campus sessions that showcase the insights and expertise of faculty, staff and administrators, including a recent workshop by Juanita Tookes, assistant director in the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services, on emotional intelligence in leadership. Those meetings, featuring campus leaders and visiting consultants, will continue until June to foster collaboration and networking among the faculty leaders selected to attend the program.

UM-FLINT TO HOST FLINT REGIONAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR, MARCH 21-22
For nearly 70 years, local secondary students have come together to showcase their scientific prowess at the Flint Regional Science and Engineering Fair. The fair debuted in 1957 as part of a national push for better scientific education during the space race and has been operating ever since. UM-Flint will host the 68th annual FRSEF at the Riverfront Conference Center, March 21-22, marking the fourth consecutive year the event has been hosted on campus. The public is invited to view the work of middle and high school student competitors, 2-6 p.m., March 22. The university will provide four-year scholarships to those in the top three, with an estimated total value of $52,000 per winner. The fourth-place winner will receive a one-time $5,000 scholarship.

APPROVAL ITEMS
A complete list of all approval items can be found on the Regents’ website.
 
As always, Go Flint and Go Blue!
 
Sincerely,
 
Laurence B. Alexander, JD, Ph.D.
Chancellor