President's Message

As the most comprehensive and distinguished university in the world, the University of Michigan bears a profound responsibility not only to lead in scholarship and innovation but also to serve as a thoughtful compass in challenging times. 

My goal over this year of service has been to position the university for lasting impact. This is Michigan’s opportunity to invest in our future and move into the passing lane while others idle. 

This moment demands we be ambitious in ways that only U-M can. 

This past year has presented an opportunity to embolden and expand our Look to Michigan strategy. By aligning our strategic vision with our capital campaign, Look to Michigan now creates a powerful, unifying narrative that invites the world to see our university as the place where bold ideas, transformative research, creative endeavors, and the education of tomorrow’s leaders come together in the public interest.

In an era marked by growing skepticism toward institutions, Michigan is rising to the challenge. We are developing unique programs that address critical challenges, creating new opportunities for learning and growth, and bringing hope to our state, nation and world. Our amplified endeavor unites scholars, staff, students and citizens to co-create solutions, consider all perspectives, and rebuild the social contract through evidence-based policy, honest and holistic dialogue, and measurable accountability. We will always carry out this work with radical transparency, ethical leadership and deep community engagement.

This report offers a compelling sampling of the powerful ideas and transformative work of our students, staff and faculty to advance the public good.

Universities, by their nature, are bold. What sets Michigan apart is a determination driven by the intellectual depth and expanse of our world-class faculty, the curiosity and energy of our students, and the myriad talents of our staff, all with a deep commitment to serving the public good.

Michigan has the credibility and conscience to demonstrate how we work effectively for our fellow citizens. Acting with strength, strategy, and vision is the best way to save lives, create opportunities, and improve the quality of life at incredible scale. This is our mission and our pledge to those we serve. Michigan will lead – forever, in the public interest.

Look to Michigan

We will deliver the life-changing education that changes our world. This education will focus on students' selfhood, agency and purpose, empowering them to lead with integrity, intellectual empathy and rational thought. Grounded in academic excellence, a Michigan education must demonstrate the transformative and essential role a public university and its graduates play in shaping a just and vibrant society. 

Human health and well-being are crucial to everyone. Advancing these will necessitate discovering and adopting novel approaches and treatments that address physical, mental and social health, with a focus on fairness, access, and community partnership. Leveraging today’s rapidly advancing technology to improve health and well-being will be a driving force that capitalizes on the tremendous breadth of our great university. 

We are establishing a biomedical innovation institute that will be one of our most ambitious investments in years. We will merge our research strengths with entrepreneurial speed to bring discoveries from the laboratory to patients faster than ever before. We will invest $250 million over five years to launch this institute and recruit top scientists and entrepreneurial talent from across the disciplines, the campus and throughout the world.

Through bold democratic, civic and global engagement, we will model what it means to convene and engage across ideological viewpoints, restore and elevate free inquiry, civic discourse, and engagement, and strengthen democratic institutions through education and action. 

This includes a $50 million commitment for a center devoted to civil discourse and dialogue aimed at bridging today’s divisions and strengthening our social fabric. This center will reach out to the broader society and model how to listen deeply, communicate effectively, and connect with empathy across our differences. 

Our leadership in energy, climate action, sustainability and environmental equity will reflect solutions and approaches that demonstrate an understanding of society’s seemingly insatiable demand for energy. We will do this while also considering the consequences of environmental harm on various communities, and we will be accountable to future generations and to those communities disproportionately affected.

Finally, as creators and stewards of advanced technology, we will develop and harness innovation responsibly, ensuring that breakthroughs in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, data science, nanotechnology, advanced manufacturing, and digital and urban infrastructure, among many others, serve the common good and improve the human condition. This includes a pathbreaking partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory that will put us at the forefront of research and discovery. We will develop these technologies with transparency and public input. 

These pillars are not simply goals. They are how Michigan, through collaboration, research and excellence at scale, reaffirms its credibility and redefines what it means to be a trusted, indispensable public institution in a time when we must earn that trust anew.

Investment and accountability

Moving from vision to impact demands both human talent and financial investment.

Thousands of faculty, staff and students have contributed to our blueprint, and we will continue to rely on their intellect and ideas moving forward. Our success is rooted in the strength and creativity of our community.

We recognize the uncertainties of today’s financial climate and are responding decisively through established budget procedures and efficient fiscal management. The Look to Michigan vision transcends today. It is a daring, future-focused initiative designed to deliver lasting value to society – both now and for generations to come.

To achieve our Look to Michigan vision, we are continuing our longstanding partnerships with the federal and state governments and our donors. We are wisely using the resources they provide to make our world safer, healthier, and more equitable. We are also identifying internal strategic investment funds. Our $1 billion commitment, launched in 2024, will be sustained through a renewable $100 million annual investment.

We will earn and maintain the public’s faith in our service by measuring results through transparent, rigorous performance metrics that demonstrate the return on this investment.

We are inspired by the words of James B. Angell, who led Michigan for 38 years as president: “It is of vital consequence that this University, or any one which deserves the public favor, should be constantly improving in some respect. If … not …  it does not deserve to be favored or helped…” 

Our nation is in need, and Michigan is answering the call. Now is the time to look to Michigan for leadership, vision and trust.

Forever Go Blue!