1 | ANNUAL REPORT 2017 As one of Michigan’s leading public universities, UM-Dearborn is a catalyst for economic growth throughout our region. In 2011, we launched the UM-Dearborn Business Engagement Center (BEC) to enhance that role, building and strengthening our alliances with the business community and creating a primary entry point for our corporate partners. Since then, the BEC has provided a pipeline to work-ready talent and faculty research expertise for countless industry colleagues, as well as fostering collaborative partnerships and corporate support. From large corporations to small businesses, our partners have benefitted from the BEC’s work to create a seamless connection to the university’s unique assets. In this 2017 BEC Annual Report, you will learn about some of our recent successes, including securing significant funding for the new Engineering Lab Building, helping Henry Ford Health System access highly-qualified talent, and partnering with Ford Motor Company on industry-relevant technologies. In addition, BEC-initiated industry engagement, student connections and philanthropy all saw significant increases in 2017. We are fortunate to have such committed partners, donors, faculty and staff that made these successes possible. Another milestone we completed last year was restructuring our organizational model within Institutional Advancement and establishing the Office of Business and Foundation Engagement, which includes the BEC. This new model streamlines functions to better support our fast- growing and successful corporate, business and foundation activities. I hope you enjoy this look at the highlights of the past year, and I encourage you to consider projects or initiatives we might collaborate on. We are excited to embark on further partnerships that will take us together into a successful future. Yours sincerely, Mallory M. Simpson Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Kalaya Long Development Associate Jacob Albers Relationship Manager Arlynn Dailey Relationship Manager Amanda Eisbrenner Relationship Manager OUR TEAM Mallory M. Simpson Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement