Democracy, Civic, & Global Engagement

Student Life is committed to expanding our community’s understanding of democratic practices and principles; to elevating the quality of public conversation at U-M by providing spaces and opportunities for respectful and meaningful dialogue to flourish; to providing opportunities, resources, and support for service learning, community collaborations, and partnerships to enable individuals to tackle real-world challenges and drive meaningful impact.

The Ginsberg Center

• The Ginsberg Center serves as the focal point for community engagement and university-community collaboration at the University of Michigan. Guided by a social change framework, the center strives to create a world where communities flourish, democracy is inclusive, and justice prevails.
• The new Edward and Rosalie Ginsberg Building on U-M’s Central Campus and will be one of the University’s first net-zero ready buildings on campus. We are excited that this new space will allow for a more robust menu of programming and events, giving many more members of our community opportunities to gather and collaborate. The building is set to open in the fall of 2025.
• Your gift helps the Ginsberg Center continue to empower students to engage in positive change through programming & initiatives, leadership development, and meaningful service experiences with the community.

M-Leadership

• M-LEAD is an integrative leadership education approach that is purposeful, collaborative, values-based, and oriented toward social change. We believe that change occurs through the development of self, collaboration with others, and commitment to citizenship. M-LEAD works to align existing and emerging leadership education efforts across Student Life departments and offer strategic advancements to strengthen the presence and access for students to leadership opportunities.
• Gifts to M-Leadership support education opportunities such as LeaderShape, Leadership Connection along with new opportunities for leadership development. Your support can help ensure all students leave Michigan with the dedication and capacity to be leaders in life.

The Public Service Internship Program (PSIP)

• The University Career Center's Public Service Intern Program (PSIP) prepares undergraduate students to obtain summer internships in Washington DC, educates them to build career development skills, connects them with alumni mentors, informs them about career options through speakers panels & employer visits in DC, and supports participants while living in our nation's capital. The University Career Center is proud to offer PSIP, the oldest and largest summer intern program in the country!
• PSIP engages talented students from any academic department or school to secure internships in policy organizations, congressional support offices, executive offices and agencies, judicial offices, special interest and lobby organizations, nonprofits and advocacy groups, think tanks, museums and arts organizations, and print and broadcast media.
• Gifts will provide support to PSIP students -scholarships will cover internship costs, such as student housing, transportation, and living expenses.

The International Center

• Each year, the University of Michigan welcomes approximately 2,000 new international students. For over 80 years, the International Center (IC) has been providing critical resources and advice to them, fostering a global campus community, and supporting students from over 140 different countries.
• The International Center helps international students find information, workshops, and activities that focus on enhancing their time at Michigan. The Center organizes workshops, events, tours, social activities, and events that are intended to help create a sense of belonging and are designed to meet academic, social, and cultural adjustment needs.
• Your gift supports study abroad scholarships; international student emergency funds, intercultural programs and educational workshops, and social events, such as birthday celebrations, coffee hours, and conversational lunches.