Detroit political leaders visit UM-Dearborn

February 13, 2012

Detroit is just a hop, skip and a jump away from UM-Dearborn.

Photo of Susy Avery

That close proximity is a major reason why hundreds of high school graduates from Detroit decide to continue their education at the University.

So it made sense for UM-Dearborn’s Political Science Association (PSA) to organize a “Destination Detroit” speaker series to show students how they can contribute to the city’s revitalization.

“Our campus is comprised of students from all over metro-Detroit, which is becoming a community of positive change,” said Jessica Reed, UM-Dearborn student and PSA president. “We seek to channel that sense of community and further the dialogue about the future of Detroit.”

In order to further that dialogue, PSA lined up four speakers to visit campus this month and talk about the future of the “Motor City.”

State Rep. Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) spoke on campus Feb. 1, while Michigan Women’s Commission Director and UM-Dearborn alumna Susy Avery visited the University Feb. 9.

Lou Glazer, president of Michigan Future, Inc. and U-M alumnus, plans to talk about Detroit’s future at 5 p.m. Feb. 15. And State Rep. Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit), also a UM-Dearborn alumna, will wrap up the speaker series at 5 p.m. Feb. 20.

Presentations by Glazer and Jackson will take place in the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters building, Room 1072.

College Republicans, College Democrats, Pi Sigma Alpha, Black Student Union and Women in Learning and Leadership cosponsor the speaker series.