Design Equitable Enterprises in the Winter +Impact Studio Course
Professors: Cat Johnson, Jerry Davis | Credits: 3
Winter 2024
The +Impact Studio graduate course (BA670) prepares students to be architects of an equitable, just, and sustainable future. In Winter ’24, this award-winning course will focus on the green energy transition. We will be engaging with neighborhood partners in Detroit to design equitable and feasible business models for innovative green energy models that support communities. The course is 3 credits and will be offered to all graduate students on Wednesday mornings during the Winter semester. This course received an Aspen Business & Society Ideas Worth Teaching Award in recognition of its expansive purpose, innovative thinking, and integrated, multi-disciplinary approach.
Read a new Medium Post about the Winter ’24 +Impact Studio course.
Working in the ESG Space – A Panel Discussion
Mon, Nov. 27 @ 5-6 pm ET
Virtual
Join us for a panel discussion about working in ESG. Ross alums and leaders in the ESG space will share their experiences, insights, and recommendations around working in ESG and tips for recruiting.
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We are proud to announce our 2023-24 B+I Student Ambassadors — graduate and undergraduate students from the Ross School of Business and other peer schools who represent the student voice for the B+I initiative. Many of these students have participated in our programs or received funding or scholarships from us, and have been actively involved in the numerous impact activities at U-M.
B+I’s New Executive-in-Residence
Business+Impact is proud to announce our newly-recognized Executive-in-Residence, Dr. Neil C. Hawkins! Neil Hawkins has spent a career collaborating to define a positive and impactful role for business in global sustainable development and public policy. For 31 years, he was a key leader at Dow, ultimately serving as Chief Sustainability Officer and CVP for Environment, Health, and Safety. He has also served as President of the Erb Family Foundation currently is interim CEO and President of the World Environment Center. B+I staff and students are excited to engage with and learn from the wealth of experience Dr. Hawkins brings to this position.
| SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SPOTLIGHT
Almost half of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating island of trash twice the size of Texas, is made up of discarded fishing gear. This gear, called ghost fishing nets, strangle marine life and block sun from contributing to the underwater ecosystem. Sea-Spider uses artificial intelligence, in conjunction with existing technology, to predict when and where nets can be found and ultimately removed. |
Ross Events:
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Impact Gala
Mon, Dec. 4 @ 6-8 pm
University of Michigan Museum of Art
Community Case Competition, Net Impact @ Ross, and Detroit Impact @ Ross invite you to celebrate the conclusion of our Fall Impact Cases and build community with one another! Co-sponsored by Business+Impact.
RSVP on CampusGroups
Highlights from DNEP
The Detroit Neighborhood Entrepreneurs Project is now part of the B+I stable of offerings, bringing together small businesses in Detroit with UM faculty-supervised student teams to provide a learning experience for students and solve business’ legal, financial, marketing, operational, and design challenges. Below are some highlights.
DNEP Holiday Market
Fri, Dec. 15 @ 3-8 pm
Jam Handy
2900 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit
Shop from a variety of local minority-owned businesses, including apparel, food, jewelry, artisans, and more at DNEP’s Holiday Market! Support local Detroit Businesses while finding unique gifts for this holiday season. There is a shortage of affordable indoor market spaces available for micro-businesses, making it hard for businesses who do not have a brick and mortar to participate in #ShopSmall campaigns.
NEWS:
- Don’t Miss Out on the Accounting Magic Workshops and Free Accounting Fridays
- Community Tech Worker Paper Wins Impact Award, Honorable Mention
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Choosing the Right POS System for your Business (+2 free resources)
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InterMission – An Action-Learning Expedition (MO 330)
Professor: Kevin Thompson
Credits: 3 | Winter 2024
Presented in cooperation with B+I, InterMission is a self-leadership course for students adrift in a sea of expectations who are exceptional at fulfilling goals set by others but find themselves too busy to reflect on whether they are the right thing to do. The course includes a one-week wilderness expedition in Utah’s Canyonlands with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). The wilderness expedition is strenuous and has an incremental cost. InterMission has 10 classroom sessions of 90 minutes each and 7 intensive days on the wilderness expedition, which runs at the conclusion of winter term before summer internships. The classroom sessions will utilize and apply three rigorous, science-based frameworks developed at Harvard Business School, Virginia’s Darden School, and Michigan Ross.
View the syllabus
See All of the Impact Courses Offered in Winter 2024
Continuously updated for current students, our listing covers hundreds of impact undergraduate and graduate courses for impact at Michigan Ross, across campus, and online. Courses in social impact and sustainability, as well as social justice and world issues are shown. Constantly updated, the list shows the most up-to-date courses actually available to students currently registering for the Winter ’24 semester. It’s just a part of our larger Impact Gateway.
LINK TO COURSE LISTING
A Searchable Platform for All Things Impact at Ross and Across Campus
The Business+Impact Gateway provides you with a single location for all things impact. Here you’ll find all of the activities, people and key partners working to use their learning to make a real impact in the world.
Impact News and Notes
Campus research directors named for Inclusive History Project
‘We are the centerpiece for freedom and resistance’
New memoir tells tales of family, identity and growing up in Detroit’s Cass Corridor
A Detroiter’s guide to the air we breathe
University of Michigan regents approve construction for $250M Detroit innovation center
Detroit early education programs serve as excellent models for PreK for All
Detroiters rally against company’s request to pollute in city’s most toxic area
Climate change threatens fish in Michigan’s Great Lakes. Watch video – featuring Karen Alofs
Grant for consortium led by U-M boosts energy, battery work
Why Clean Air is a Luxury that Many Can’t Afford – featuring Caroline Hausman
Guarding the Great Lakes: A lake-by-lake look at the impact of climate change – featuring Richard Rood
Keeping an eye on Michigan’s current environmental legislation – featuring Liesl Clark
Neubacher recipient advocates for voices to be heard, valued
At the University:
FORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY
Diversity Alliance: Pathways to Public Policy
Tues, Nov. 14 @ 8-9 pm ET
Virtual Event
Topics of discussion with our alumni will include Unique pathways into careers in public policy; diversity, equity, and inclusion in the public policy work place; policy implications of current events; and mentorship and impact opportunities.
DESAI ACCELERATOR
Start-up and Intern Applications
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Startup Applicaton Due
Intern Application Due
Tues, Nov. 14
Join the Desai Community! We look for early-stage companies founded by upcoming or recent University of Michigan – Ann Arbor graduates. We prefer companies with demonstrated product-building capability, market validation, and an exceptional team dynamic with the ability to execute quickly.
Start-up Application | Intern Application
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
Social Work Events
Drawing on an interdisciplinary faculty within a public university seated in a region of enormous need and promise, School of Social Work events share education, research, and service that fosters progressive change for students, faculty and staff.
ENGAGE Community Engagement Showcase – Wed, Nov. 15
Unity in Diversity Dinner – Thurs, Nov. 16
A Microaffirmation Approach Toward Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being Among Black Male College Students – Thurs, Nov. 30
Community and Social Change Info Session – Wed, Dec. 6
Exploring a Social Justice Career Path – Thurs, Dec. 7
Promoting Action for Intersectional Social Justice – Mon, Dec. 11
PLANET BLUE
Sustainability Honors Cords
The Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cord program is designed to recognize students who went above and beyond to advance their knowledge, skills, and practice of sustainability ethics while studying at the University of Michigan. The acceptance to the Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cord program will allow students to receive an Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cord for graduation, join an exclusive alumni LinkedIn network, and be part of a sustainability spotlight series.
Learn More
GLOBAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Global Scholars Applications
Fall & Winter 2024 Deadline
Sun, Dec. 3
GSP is an interdisciplinary living-learning community that brings students together from around the world to engage in social justice education on a global level. We invite applications from students of all backgrounds and levels of intercultural experience and from any college or school at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
More Info
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize
Propose Now
The James A. Kelly Learning Lever Prize is a competition designed to challenge University of Michigan students to invent digital tools with the potential to significantly improve student learning. This prize encourages a culture of innovation in education, and rewards the creative, interdisciplinary work of University of Michigan students.
More Info
GINSBERG CENTER
Community Engagement Grants
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Apply By Fri, Dec. 8
The Ginsberg Center provides multiple forms of financial resources for student groups and organizations to engage in positive change through social justice education, leadership development, and meaningful service experiences with the community. The Community Engagement Grant program allows us to deepen our partnerships with student organizations and support community-based initiatives. Community Engagement Grants are offered on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.
Apply Now
In the Impact Community:
Upswell
Upswell Summit 2023, powered by Independent Sector, will advance our singular mission by offering thought leadership that wrestles with issues plaguing our nation, workshops and panels that will strengthen your institutional, personal, and professional development, as well as time to invest and care for the most important person in the work – you.
John R. Lewis Case Competition
Application Due
Fri, Nov. 17 at 11:59 pm ET
All undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply as teams for the free John Lewis Case Competition this month. The preliminary round consists of an industry-generic PowerPoint statement on intention. Semifinalists will be assigned to a corporate sponsor on December 11th and given a specific case prompt based on that sponsor’s racial justice/equality goals. The overall winning team will receive $20,000, with $7,000 for second place and $3,000 for third place.
Volunteer for VITA and Help Others with Tax Returns
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Join a community of over 80 volunteers in working to complete federal and state tax returns for low to moderate income families in Washtenaw County. Volunteer to help clients save on costly tax preparation fees, and put over $1.4 million of refunds into the hands of those that need it most. No experience? No problem! United Way’s comprehensive training process will give you the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare basic tax returns.
MBark 2 Boulder
Academic institutions are only now beginning to provide instruction in relevant disciplines such as authentic leadership and sustainability. Meanwhile, natural foods companies have seldom recruited MBA students, so many of the best management practices, analytical tools, growth strategies, and latest research on organizational development are simply not present in the ranks of their leadership. MBArk was created to bridge that gap, bringing the “hearts” of natural foods together with the “smarts” of business education.
Apply Now
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Detroit 75 Kitchen
Organizations from all industries and sectors are invited to propose information-based projects for students to work on through capstone projects, client-based courses, and programs. Most courses and programs occur during the academic school year, September through December or January through April. 
Planet Blue Student Leaders (PBSLs) work part-time in Student Life as peer educators to promote sustainable living behaviors. These positions will start remotely in mid-August and begin with in-person activities in Ann Arbor the week of August 28. To be considered for this position, candidates must be able to attend weekly team meetings in-person on Fridays 11am-1pm in West Quadrangle for the full academic year. Compensation starts at $15 per hour.
The Ford School is a proud supporter of this important discussion hosted by the Michigan Theater on the complicated issue of race and policing in the United States, featuring New York Times Contributor Jessica Jaglois, and Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Detroit, Rochelle Riley. Free and open to the public,
The Center for Racial Justice invites you to submit a letter of interest to join our annual cohort of Visiting Fellows for the 2023-24 academic year. The Visiting Fellows Program, the signature initiative of the Center for Racial Justice, represents a unique opportunity to work collaboratively with a diverse array of policy thinkers to advance racial justice. Fellows receive a funded 9-month non-residential fellowship with an annual stipend of $50,000, as well as $10,000 in project and travel expenses and graduate assistants.
Join us for the 31st Annual Concert of Colors, hosted by the Detroit Institute of Arts in Midtown Detroit. Bring the entire family to enjoy the live music performances from the various cultures that thrive in Metro Detroit and it’s free admission. Visit our Wolverine Outdoor Stage on the DIA South Lawn, from July 21-23, and join our live stream with the singer-songwriter from Detroit, Isis Damil, as our hostess. Enjoy music and all of the flavors that Detroit brings.
For the first time since launching amid the height of Covid-19, Centering Justice is going LIVE. Centering Justice has always had a tradition of being a space for revolutionary thinkers, dreamers, and creators. At this Unplugged event, speakers and participants will gather together to connect ideas with practices, art with life, and fun with fellowship. Centering Justice is a BIPOC-centered gathering focusing on racial equity issues, their complexities, and ways to engage in joyful resistance.
Public Allies Metro Detroit is a program of the U of M-Dearborn, and a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. The program is made possible through funding of the Corporation for National and the Community Service and Michigan Community Service Commission. Apply now for fall opportunities.
Can you design a new business or NGO that delivers a proven poverty intervention at scale? Submit your design for a new organization that solves one of our Distribution Challenges below. We will award the most promising teams with up to $20,000 USD to launch their new organization wherever extreme poverty exists. Subject areas include Health, Water, Education, Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Public Services.
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This informal event strives to provide community and engagement for students, professionals, job seekers, or anyone looking for career support. The goal is to create a casual, welcoming environment for people to find resources, guidance, and fellowship with people from all stages in their careers. After an initial presentation, the event will be open-house style and participants may come and go as their schedule allows..jpg)
The Engage Detroit Workshops grant program supports small groups of U-M faculty and staff members with a faculty lead in organizing a workshop, speaker series, or similar event centered on a topic relevant to Detroit communities. The Vice Provost for Engaged Learning (VPEL) will provide financial support for up to four workshops or seminar series in the amount of up to $15,000 per awarded workshop or speaker series proposal.
The CEW+ Scholarship Program, which today serves women and underserved students, was established in 1970 to honor the academic performance and potential of women whose education has been interrupted and to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of the admission of women to the University of Michigan. With support from our generous donors, CEW+ was able to expand the program in 2008 to include additional scholarships for students of all genders. Please check eligibility.
The OVPR Anti-Racism Grants aim to catalyze innovative research and scholarship efforts that will advance knowledge and understanding around complex societal racial inequalities that can inform actions to achieve equity and justice. For each program cycle, OVPR will provide funding for up to seven proposals – five at level 1 up to $50K and two at level 2 up to $100K.
Planet Blue Student Leaders (PBSLs) work part-time in Student Life as peer educators to promote sustainable living behaviors. These positions will start remotely in mid-August and begin with in-person activities in Ann Arbor the week of August 28. To be considered for this position, candidates must be able to attend weekly team meetings in-person on Fridays 11am-1pm in West Quadrangle for the full academic year. Compensation starts at $15 per hour..jpg)
Net Impact’s 2023 Sustainable Cities Impact Investing Challenge asks teams to build and submit an impact investing portfolio aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities. Developing cities with affordable housing, reliable public transportation, and resilient infrastructure is key to building a more just and sustainable world. Impact investing creates an opportunity for investing to provide both financial and impact returns. 
Can you design a new business or NGO that delivers a proven poverty intervention at scale? Submit your design for a new organization that solves one of our Distribution Challenges below. We will award the most promising teams with up to $20,000 USD to launch their new organization wherever extreme poverty exists. Subject areas include Health, Water, Education, Agriculture, Livelihoods, and Public Services..png)
Registration is now open for the 2023 Climate Leadership Conference. This is a solutions-oriented program that allows participants to connect and collaborate with sustainability professionals across sectors. Attendees will build business connections, gain new insights and collaborate with national leaders.
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The Great Black Migration to Detroit occurred at the height of the city’s industrial dominance, and yet the result was a deeply divided metropolis where almost all the benefits of subsequent industrial restructuring flowed to white suburbanites and almost all the costs were borne by Black city residents. The culmination of the Michigan-Mellon Project on the Egalitarian Metropolis, this symposium brings together University of Michigan researchers and Detroit community leaders who are working daily to make the city’s recovery equitable and inclusive.
Bring your passion and make an impact on pre-K–12 Education. The James A. Kelly Learning Levers Prize is a student pitch competition that supports scalable, research-based ideas that promote learning in pre-K–12 education. All U-M undergraduate and graduate students from the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint campuses can enter as individuals or teams.
Join 
In collaboration with partners across U-M, the SPH DEI Office is bringing Dr. Ruha Benjamin to campus for a talk and community conversation on March 14, 2023. Trained as a sociologist, Dr. Benjamin’s research sits at the intersection of science, technology, and medicine and resonates deeply with the field of Public Health. Dr. Benjamin will deliver a lecture on her new book, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want. Dr. Benjamin will deliver a lecture and then participate in a conversation/Q&A facilitated by Leseliey Welch.
Wed, Mar. 15 @ 7-8 pm
Fri, Mar. 17 @ 4 pm
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
What follows is a list of paid fellowships and internships offered through the University of Michigan this coming summer.
“From Small Talk to Microagression: A History of Scale”
Thurs, Mar. 23 @ 11 am – 3:45 pm
WILLIAM DAVIDSON INSTITUTE
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Competition
Thurs, Mar. 30 @ 7:30 pm
Applications due
Mon, Apr. 10 @ 4:30-5:30 pm
Thurs, Apr. 13 @ 6-8 pm
2023 American Express NGen Fellowship
Applications due
Skoll World Forum
Apr. 12-14
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Apply now for the Spring Program
Mon, Jan. 16 @ 10 am – 2:30 pm
Virtual Training in December
Applications due Fri, Dec. 16
Mon, Dec. 12 @ 1 pm ET
Jan. 4-6
Applications due