The Pulse Newsletter

March 2025 Edition

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
• Go Blue Guarantee Expanded
• Community Engagement Indicator
• ODE Corner
• Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
• Faculty Spotlight | Mohamed Wiem Mkaouer
• Staff Spotlight | Ken Sylvester
• Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan
• Faculty Resources
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

Here are some updates from the VPAA Office:

• Global Connections: UM-Flint India Partnership and Immersive Learning Initiative
• New Leadership Academy – On Campus Program
• Two Opportunities for Professional Development

From the Desk of Vice Provost for Assessment and Accreditation

As we continue our commitment to institutional excellence and continuous improvement, I would like to share updates on two important areas of my work: the Higher Learning Commission Quality Initiative and the ongoing assessment efforts led by the Academic Assessment and Policy Committee. 

Go Blue Guarantee Expanded

The Go Blue Guarantee scholarship, which covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible in-state students for up to four years, is available to more students than ever before.

Community Engagement Indicator

Demonstrates how UM-Flint academically prepares students with real-world experience for their professional careers and lives as engaged citizens using evidence-based, high-impact practices, helps students search SIS for course sections that provide significant learning experiences in and with the community, and enables departmental and institution-wide tracking and reporting about community engaged classes. 

Office of Online and Digital Education Corner – Faculty Resources

The ODE provides comprehensive support to instructors and academic units in developing and delivering online courses and programs at UM-Flint. Find the latest information for online teaching, learning resources, upcoming events, training opportunities and more.

Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates

This year, the library’s partnerships with our sister campuses have yielded substantial gains in library collections and subscriptions. (…)  We continue to partner with our colleagues in the UM-Library’s Digital Content and Collections to make Flint’s history more accessible.

Faculty Spotlight | Mohamed Wiem Mkaouer

“Since joining the University of Michigan-Flint, my goal has been to build a strong research foundation. I am thrilled to receive the largest research grant in the university’s history: $3.3 million distributed over five years as part of the National Science Foundation’s GRANTED initiative.”

Staff Spotlight | Ken Sylvester

I have served UM-Flint in the Office of Research since 2016, and recently, the campus has witnessed a dramatic shift in the level of external research funding. Faculty in CIT, CASE and CHS have expanded the portfolio of funded research significantly, on top of the ongoing success SON faculty have had in securing training grants to expand nursing education.

Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan

The Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is committed to promoting open conversations with one another. We now offer weekly office hours with the days and times available for booking appointments. You are also invited to join informal conversations over coffee scheduled this semester on March 12 and April 8.