Carrying out the Metropolitan Vision:

College of Engineering and Computer Science students led area high school students in hands-on learning last year as part of the Michigan Introduction to Technology and Engineering (MITE) program. The program is just one example of the university's commitment to community engagement.

University of Michigan-Dearborn once again has been recognized for its commitment to community engagement. Michigan Campus Compact (MiCC) has selected the university as Michigan’s 2015 Engaged Campus of the Year.

The award, which is chosen by a team of national reviewers, recognizes an institution of higher education for exemplary commitment to the education of students for civic and social responsibility; genuine and sustained investment in community relationships; and a commitment to service learning and civic engagement opportunities for students across all disciplines.

“Engagement has been a driving value of the University of Michigan-Dearborn for more than 15 years and is also greatly reflected in the chancellor’s metropolitan vision,” said Ismael Ahmed, associate provost of metropolitan impact and senior adviser to the chancellor. “Part of my role has been to further implement this vision and ensure that the university is a contributing factor in the transformation of our metropolitan region.”

In 2005, Chancellor Daniel Little outlined UM-Dearborn’s metropolitan vision, which included a focus on the impact the university could have on the region. Today, Ahmed said, the university partners with nearly 450 organizations for internship and co-op opportunities, research, teaching and service programs. UM-Dearborn launched the Office of Metropolitan Impact in 2012 to act as a landing point for faculty, staff, students and community organizations hoping to connect to each other for engaged and mutually beneficial initiatives.

“Commitment to the core value of community-engaged scholarship is evident at every level of the institution,” said Robin Lynn Grinnell, executive director of Michigan Campus Compact. “From the Chancellor’s Office to academic departments, individual classrooms and student activities, UM-Dearborn is a local leader, a true community partner and a strong model for other campuses.”

The Engaged Campus of the Year Award will be presented April 23 at the state’s annual Giving and Volunteering Celebration, which will be held in Lansing. The award marks the second time this year that the university has been recognized for community engagement; in January, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced UM-Dearborn as a recipient of its 2015 Community Engagement Classification.