The Pulse Newsletter
September 2025
In this edition
- From the Desk of the Interim Provost
- Academic Unit Featured Stories
- From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
- From the Desk of Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
- Alternative Summer Break: New Orleans
- Message From The Student Government President
- Faculty Spotlight | Elizabeth Fulks
- Staff Spotlight | Dan Getty
- ODE Corner
- Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
- Faculty Resources
- Important Dates, Events and Deadlines
Message from Provost Abby Parrill-Baker
Our campus will soon launch an inclusive, integrated strategic planning process resulting in alignment of all unit plans with the university’s overarching goals. As part of this, we’ll review and potentially update our mission and vision statements to ensure they reflect our collective aspirations for UM-Flint.
We anticipate many bold and inspiring proposals, such as the one Chancellor Alexander shared in his State of the University address, in which he envisioned the potential for UM-Flint to become a preeminent Research 2 polytechnic campus providing affordable, world-class education that supports regional workforce development, social mobility, and economic prosperity.
I believe our new vision should be ambitious yet achievable over the next 5–10 years, rooted in both our current achievements and future aspirations. Chancellor Alexander’s proposal highlights our strengths as both a comprehensive university—offering diverse academic programs and serving a wide range of students— and in advancing social mobility and economic opportunity. The latter strength in access and earnings has been recognized by Carnegie Classification as an Opportunity University.
The proposal also highlights our current polytechnic characteristics featured in several stories in this newsletter—emphasizing hands-on, industry-responsive, and applied educational experiences across all colleges and schools.
The ambitious element lies in the goal to become a Research 2 institution, which requires increasing our annual research expenditures to $5 million and increasing our annual research doctorate conferrals. Achieving this will create more hands-on learning opportunities and career pathways for students and reinforce our polytechnic identity.
I invite our campus community to share additional visions for UM-Flint’s future as we build our next strategic plan together. Thanks to Chancellor Alexander for inspiring this important conversation.
Abby Parrill-Baker
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Academic Unit Featured Stories
Learn about some of the many remarkable accomplishments of students, staff, and faculty!
- CASE – Theodore Rippey named new dean of UM-Flint’s College of Arts, Sciences & Education
- CASE – Interdisciplinary research team at UM-Flint instrumental in Global Flint Initiative
- CASE – UM-Flint’s Future Teachers Academies support new educator training and professional development
- CIT – Outrage over the Tea dating app highlights the indifference to women’s victimization
- SOM – Fueled for success: UM-Flint student ignites career at HF Sinclair
- SOM – CEO sees UM-Flint doctoral research as startup’s missing ingredient
- CHS – “BREATHE NORMALLY … YOU’RE A GRADUATE!” (Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice graduation ceremony)
- CHS – SCHOLARSHIP SURPRISE! – Greater Flint Community Leadership Scholarship
- SON, SOM, CASE, CIT and CHS – How UM-Flint prepares students for the nation’s fastest-growing careers
From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs
Dear Faculty and Staff,
I hope your semester is off to a wonderful start!
I am pleased to share that we had a busy and productive summer, focusing on a wide variety of initiatives in support of our campus community.
From the Desk of Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation
I’m pleased to share recent developments in three areas of our ongoing work: the Higher Learning Commission, Quality Initiative, a new centralized intranet site, and recent program-level accreditation successes.
Alternative Summer Break: New Orleans
From August 17–23, 2025, the Office of Engaged Learning hosted its sixth Alternative Summer Break trip. Eighteen students accompanied me to New Orleans, Louisiana to focus on hurricane relief efforts in partnership with Common Ground Relief and Rebuilding Together.
Message From The Student Government President
We would like to encourage you to review the remarks delivered by Samantha Jarbou, UM-Flint Student Government President, at the UM-Flint Convocation on August 21, 2025. Ms. Jarbou delivered a powerful message that speaks to the strength and commitment of the UM-Flint student body. “This year, Student Government is committed to strengthening our campus through academic advocacy, community outreach, and accessibility. But these are not just our goals – they are shared responsibilities that require all of us working together.”
The ODE Corner
The Office of Online and Digital Education provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in the development and delivery of online courses and programs at UM-Flint. Find the latest information for online teaching and learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities, and more.
Faculty Spotlight | Elizabeth Fulks
Fulks’s research program centers on sexual violence prevention and improving mental health outcomes for children, adolescents, and young adults. “As a practicing forensic nurse examiner, I am deeply committed to improving care for child and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse,” she explains. Her most recent projects examine bystander intervention among marginalized populations of college students. In recognition of her contributions, she was named the 2025 recipient of the Alvin D. Loving Junior Faculty Initiative Award – “a recognition for which I am truly grateful.”
Staff Spotlight | Dan Getty
For nearly 25 years, Daniel Getty has been part of the UM-Flint community. Today, he serves as Director of the Office of Institutional Analysis, a role he first grew curious about while working in UM-Flint’s IT department. Dan shared with us some insights regarding IA’s role on our campus and a bit more about his hobbies and passions.
Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
With the increase in demand for accessible course readings, the library is stepping up to help faculty ensure access for their students through webinars about making texts accessible and attempting to license ebook versions of textbooks.
Important Dates, Events and Deadlines
- Sept. 15 – Thompson Visiting Professor Nomination deadline
- Sept. 16, 1:45 – 2:30 pm – Political Science: Coffee & Conversation
- Sept. 17, 5 p.m. – Constitution Day Panel Event with FAIR (Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights)
- Sept. 24, noon – 1 p.m. – Virtual Career Panel at SOM
- Sept. 24, 1 p.m. – Meet and Greet with Provost Parrill-Baker
- Oct. 1 – Networking 101 at SOM
- Oct. 6 – Student deadline for Maize and Blue online application submissions
- Oct. 8, 9 a.m. – 1:30 pm – Music: Instrumental & Vocal Workshop Day for High School Musicians
- Oct. 13 – Faculty deadline for Maize and Blue letter of recommendation online submission
- Oct. 29, 2:30 p.m – 6 p.m. – SOM Career Fair