Look to Michigan: The ‘defining public university of the future’

President Ono bends down to shake the hand of a student seated with a study group. Casual, fun interaction.

U-M’s blueprint for the next decade — Vision 2034 — leverages the community’s excellence at scale to confront the future’s most significant challenges, from AI and precision medicine to campus well-being and carbon neutrality. 

  1. Image of black hole

    Check out the black hole at the heart of our galaxy

    You are viewing the first image of Sagittarius A, the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. U-M scientist Mark Reynolds was part of the group to reveal the first direct visual evidence of its presence.

  2. Kids play soccer, DCFC

    Soccer in Motown: ‘Passion for our city, passion for the game’

    Michigan alumnus Alex Wright is a co-founder of Detroit City FC, a minor-league soccer team that strives to satisfy the demand for soccer in downtown Detroit, represent the city in a positive light, and build community.

  3. Anatol Rapoport at chalkboard featuring diagram of Prisoner's Dilemma

    How to win without winning

    As world leaders seek a path to peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it is often difficult to discern whether they are promoting war or peace. How we think about conflict is critical, experts say, as we face a maelstrom of news from the region.

  4. David Brown in surgery

    Surgeon organizes medical supply drive for Ukrainian hospitals

    David Brown is one of several doctors who travels to Ukraine to do burn reconstruction surgery every year. When Russia invaded the country, he knew he needed to help.

  5. Michael Barr, 2020

    Biden’s intended nominee for Fed’s top banking regulator: U-M Ford School Dean Michael Barr

    If confirmed, Barr would step down and take an unpaid leave of absence from U-M, retaining his faculty appointments in public policy and law and planning to return to the faculty after serving his term on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

  6. Michigan basketball players at commencement

    Maria Shriver tells grads that fears are ‘a window into your own bravery’

    The Class of 2022 faces great uncertainty, but that’s also an ‘incredible opportunity,’ Shriver reminded grads and their families in a packed Michigan Stadium.

‘Gateway for innovation’

The University of Michigan Center for Innovation (UMCI) in Detroit is expected to open in spring 2027. The building broke ground in December and preliminary site work has been ongoing. “The UMCI is a catalyst for positive change and, as such, presents itself along Grand River Avenue as a ‘gateway for innovation,’” said Hana Kassem, FAIA, Design Principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF). The first two floors will house public programs, a cafe, and shared office space for the U-M Detroit Center, Admissions Office, School of Environment and Sustainability Clinic, and others. Levels three through six are planned for multidisciplinary graduate research. Watch: UMCI design approved, construction ramps up. (All images by Kohn Pedersen Fox.)

  • Engaging the passerby

    “The UMCI design proudly bears the University of Michigan spirit focusing on progress and inclusivity, which is embodied in its dynamic forward-leaning form and the portal that cuts through it, inviting access to all,” said KPF’s Kassem. “Its transparent facade at street level engages the passerby, showcasing innovation, by putting making and research on display.”

     

    Modern office building

  • Ground breaking

    The project broke ground in December at the intersection of Grand River Avenue and West Columbia Street. The proposed 200,000-gross-square-foot building will be the first of three buildings to be constructed on the site, with the other two — an incubator space and a residential building — developed at a future date.

    Aerial view of proposed UMCI

  • Mixed models

    UMCI will be a world-class research, education, and entrepreneurship center designed to advance innovation and community development that will propel  job creation and inclusive economic growth. Programming at the UMCI will offer a mixed-model approach that includes both master’s degrees and workforce development programs that focus on technology and innovation.

    People sit at tables in modern courtyard

  • Open doors

    UMCI also will host a multitude of community engagement activities for the residents of Detroit, ranging from K-12 programs like the Michigan Engineering Zone to the Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project and many more.

    Interactive, creative lab

  • Catalyst for growth

    “UMCI will bring together the best of the University of Michigan to catalyze economic development in the city of Detroit,” said U-M Provost Laurie McCauley. “It will house a robust portfolio of academic programs, including new interdisciplinary graduate degrees and certificate programs aligned to the skills of the future.” The ultimate goal is to attract startups as well as major employers to the region, she said. Read more about the UMCI.

    Atrium filled with people in a modern office building