Engaged learning programs

Solve information challenges for communities and organizations nationwide. UMSI’s Engaged Learning Office offers multiple ways to engage in real-world projects outside the classroom. These opportunities center long-term, reciprocal relationships with communities and clients.

AI Clinic

Help organizations identify and implement AI tools to improve their processes and advance their work. Through the UMSI AI Clinic, you’ll apply your skills to real information challenges while gaining experience helping clients navigate emerging AI technologies.

Eligibility: U-M undergraduate and graduate students
When: Fall and winter semesters

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Student Organization Engaged Learning Leaders

Take on a semester-long information project for a community-based organization through Student Organization – Engaged Learning Leaders (SO-ELL). You’ll join a participating student organization’s project team and gain experience in consulting, project management and leadership while applying methods from user experience design, data science, knowledge management and other information fields.

Funding for the SO-ELL program is provided by the Hoffman Family Engaged Learning Fund.

Eligibility: U-M undergraduate and graduate students
When: Fall and winter semesters

Apply here

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Alternative Spring Break

Spend your spring break building professional experience while supporting nonprofit, cultural, governmental and educational organizations across the country. Through Alternative Spring Break (ASB), you’ll work on capacity-building projects that put your UMSI skills into practice while learning more about the communities and organizations you serve.

Eligibility: UMSI undergraduate and graduate students
When: U-M spring break

Apply here

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Alternative Fall Break

Spend two days offering your user experience design or data analytics skills to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Detroit. During Alternative Fall Break (AFB), you’ll collaborate on a team to provide website design recommendations or key data analytics insights for your partner organization.

Eligibility: UMSI undergraduate and graduate students
When: U-M fall break (Monday-Tuesday)

Apply here

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Community engagement events

A2 (Ann Arbor) Data Dive

Founded by UMSI students in 2011, A2 Data Dive is an annual data hackathon for good, run by student coordinators with support from the Engaged Learning Office. You’ll join fellow students, faculty and data professionals to help local nonprofit and civic organizations analyze data and develop solutions. Participants of all skill levels are welcome.

Eligibility: All members of the UMSI, U-M and local community
When: Fall semester

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UMSI Service Day

UMSI Service Day is a one-day event dedicated to participating in general service projects in Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. The entire UMSI community joins together to engage with local community partners by working on organized group service projects. This event provides an opportunity for incoming students to get to know fellow UMSI students and appreciate the many ways to get involved in community engagement.

Eligibility: UMSI students, faculty and staff
When: Orientation week in the fall

Four people in a room with shelves of food and a refrigerator case. The sign above them says Maize & Blue Cupboard.

Interested in learning more about these programs and events? Reach out to the Engaged Learning Office at [email protected].