Awards Categories & Criteria
Consider nominating a UM-Dearborn alum for an Alumni Difference Maker Award by using the awards categories and criteria below.
Nominations are closed. 2026 Alumni Difference Makers will be announced this summer.
This award will honor a UM-Dearborn graduate who most exemplifies Michigan excellence as demonstrated by outstanding leadership in their field and personal commitment to service within their communities. This person should distinguish themselves in their field and provide leadership in addressing an important issue in their community. The ideal candidate would embrace philanthropic values.
Consider: What has been the nominee’s career path? What position does the alum currently hold? What has been their greatest career accomplishment that distinguishes them in their field? What important issues has the nominee addressed and how has the service impacted their community? How has this nominee’s philanthropy impacted community? How has the candidate used their time, talent and resources for the society?
This award will honor a UM-Dearborn alumni-owned business that has made an impact and has showcased its commitment within the community.
Consider: How has the alumni-owned business impacted a cause that is important to their industry or the community? How has the alumni-owned business brought innovative ideas to their industry, community, or to UM-Dearborn?
This award will honor a UM-Dearborn graduate who has graduated within the last 10 years. The graduate will distinguish themselves by being engaged as a volunteer with UM-Dearborn or being connected to another non-profit in the community. The ideal candidate will have made substantial progress in their career and would embrace philanthropic values.
Consider: What has been the nominee’s career path and what position does the alum currently hold? How has the alum volunteered with UM-Dearborn or another non-profit and what value has their involvement brought to the campus or another organization? An ideal candidate will have given their time, talent and resources to their supporting cause.
* formerly known as Young Alum of the Year
This award will honor a UM-Dearborn graduate who provides important leadership and service to the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Successful nominees will have distinguished themselves by the energy, effort and creativity they demonstrate in addressing a challenge.
Consider: What important issues has the nominee addressed at UM-Dearborn? How has the nominee’s creativity and energy impacted challenges faced by the UM-Dearborn community? What has been the level and scope of their engagement?
This award will honor a graduate of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in their field, and demonstrated public service and leadership. The candidate will be engaged in the mission/advancement of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters and its respective alumni community.
Consider: What has been the nominee’s career path and what position does the alum currently hold? What important issues has the nominee addressed and how has the service impacted their community? How has the nominee been involved with the UM-Dearborn College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters?
This award will honor a graduate of the College of Business who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in their field, and demonstrated public service and leadership. The candidate will be engaged in the mission/advancement of the College of Business and its respective alumni community.
Consider: What has been the nominee’s career path and what position does the alum currently hold? What important issues has the nominee addressed and how has the service impacted their community? How has the nominee been involved with the UM-Dearborn College of Business?
This award will honor a graduate of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in their field, and demonstrated public service and leadership. The candidate will be engaged in the mission/advancement of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services and its respective alumni community.
Consider: What has been the nominee’s career path and what position does the alum currently hold? What important issues has the nominee addressed and how has the service impacted their community? How has the nominee been involved with the UM-Dearborn College of Education, Health, and Human Services?
This award will honor a graduate of the College of Engineering and Computer Science who has shown outstanding professional accomplishments in their field, and demonstrated public service and leadership. The candidate will be engaged in the mission/advancement of the College of Engineering and Computer Science and its respective alumni community.
Consider: What has been the nominee’s career path and what position does the alum currently hold? What important issues has the nominee addressed and how has the service impacted their community? How has the nominee been involved with the UM-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science?