The Pulse Newsletter

November 2024 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 of Enrollment Management
• Recruiting Trip to India
• FCCA Engagement
• MASFAA Lifetime Achievement Award
• ODE Corner
• Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates
• Faculty Spotlight | Elizabeth Cunningham
• Staff Spotlight | Lori Vedder
• CEW+ Student Awards
• Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan
• Faculty Resources
• Important Dates, Events and Deadlines

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Academic Affairs

Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share some recent highlights from the Office of the VPAA:
We recently co-hosted a successful virtual research mixer with the University of Greifswald in mid-October. We had a high level of engagement from both institutions. (…)

We are currently working on identifying actionable next steps for follow-up initiatives, which we look forward to sharing with you soon. 

From the Desk of the Vice-Provost of Enrollment Management

The Office for the VPEM has had a busy few months with a lot of activity regarding recruitment, retention, and graduation rates. This fall, the University of Michigan-Flint saw the highest enrollment increase of all Michigan public universities. Coming in with a 6.51% increase, UM-Flint bucked the trend of falling college enrollments. Congratulations to the campus for all the efforts and support in enrolling and retaining our students. A special thank you to the Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions teams. Their hard work and perseverance are reflected in our fall numbers.

Recruiting Trip to India

This August, Christopher Lewis, Zachariah Mathew, and Joe Vainner traveled to India as part of the international student recruitment strategy for UM-Flint. Their primary goals were to build personal relationships with recruiters, expand networking opportunities with schools, understand cultural influences on destination and college choices, enhance visibility, and raise awareness of the UM-Flint brand.

FCCA Engagement

Being part of the UM-Flint Campus community allows Flint Cultural Center Academy High School students to interact with the university faculty. Throughout the academic year, different academic programs offer various engagement and enrichment opportunities for FCCA students to expand their exposure to different career pathways and disciplines in areas such as healthcare, technology, arts, and business. 

MASFAA Lifetime Achievement Award

Lori Vedder has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.  The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a MASFAA member who has made important and unique contributions to the financial aid profession and MASFAA’s goals. 

Office of Online and Digital Education Corner

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

Frances Willson Thompson Library Updates

The Thompson Library participates in several agreements with publishers to waive or discount the Article Processing Charges for authors. We encourage UM-Flint faculty, staff, and students to utilize these credits as another potential avenue for publishing opportunities.

Faculty Spotlight | Elizabeth Cunningham

(…) teachers engage with the mathematical thinking of children by focusing on formative assessment, learning progressions, and mathematics education research. When intertwined, these aspects of education provide teachers with ways to explore, understand, and use children’s mathematical thinking to enrich interactions and instruction.

Staff Spotlight | Lori Vedder

I have had the distinct honor of serving the University of Michigan – Flint for over 35 years all in the financial aid office. Financial Aid is a profession one does not seek as a career. Most begin as a student worker and never leave the field. For me, it was an admissions background and some time spent working on the Ann Arbor campus in the graduate school of engineering. (…)
Financial aid is an interesting profession. Things are always changing, and as a team, we work to keep our campus in compliance. Knowing we have a voice at the state and federal level through advocacy efforts keeps the passion alive. 

CEW+ Student Awards

Congratulations to five UM-Flint students: Shalini Augenstein (CHS), Tracey Finall (SOM), Naomi Pee (SON), Shannon Wallace (CHS), and Tomika White (SON), who received a 2024-25 CEW+ award!
CEW+ provides immediate and ongoing services and financial support to ensure educational success and degree completion. 

Coffee with Interim Provost Kandogan

Do you have ideas, feedback, or suggestions for academic affairs on our campus?
Interim Provost Kandogan invites you to an informal conversation. You will have an opportunity to ask questions and share your feedback. Coffee/tea and light snacks will be provided.

Please RSVP, and you will receive a calendar invite for your selected session.