University of Michigan Organizations and Units

Center for the Education of Women+ (CEW+)

Since 1964, CEW+ has worked to remove obstacles that impact women and other marginalized groups at U-M. CEW+ provides immediate and ongoing services and the financial support needed to ensure educational success and degree completion. Women and underserved students are CEW+’s primary constituency, but all students are welcome. CEW+ also serves those who encounter education and career obstacles based on their non-linear paths to, and experiences within, the University community.

Center for the Study of Higher & Postsecondary Education (CSHPE)

The Center is a learning community characterized by scholarly rigor, strong connections to broader communities of practice, and a passion for contributing to the betterment of society through education. The Center’s faculty and staff are committed to the development of scholars and practitioners. Students in the Center are trained to think analytically and to excel at scholarship and research, and apply creative solutions to educational issues. Through coursework, research, and work experiences, students are prepared for leadership in shaping the future of higher education through generating and applying knowledge, advancing the role of higher education in supporting the public good, improving administrative and instructional practice, and making profound differences in postsecondary education through their commitment to diversity.

Department of Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS)

Since opening its doors as a Center in 1970, faculty in the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies have engaged in socially relevant, community-oriented teaching and research. Focusing on issues of pressing concern to black communities—including public health, education, the environment, and urban inequalities—DAAS faculty have led ongoing community partnership projects in South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Detroit. Through its Community Engaged Learning Initiative, DAAS offers undergraduates opportunities for collaboration and co-creation of knowledge with community partners. By working closely with members of various communities, students deepen their understanding of issues that affect those communities, and they develop theoretical, practical, and interpersonal skills that prepare them for creative problem-solving, community-responsive research and teaching, and influential professional and community leadership positions.

Institute for Social Research (ISR)

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) consists of five separate but interdependent research centers, each with a particular focus and capabilities. More than 300 research scientists from more than 20 academic disciplines, including psychology, business, economics, public health, political science, demography, statistics, and engineering are affiliated with ISR. Their work provides the foundation for the Institute’s legacy of social science in the public interest.

Research Center for Group Dynamics (RCGD)

The Research Center for Group Dynamics (RCGD) has advanced the understanding of human behavior in social contexts since 1948. RCGD conducts experimental studies in laboratories and in natural settings, including schools, businesses, and community groups. These studies shed light on issues related to social decision-making, prejudice, social relations, attitudes, and emotion. The findings have immediate practical applications to social concerns such as crime, delinquency, and racism.

Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)

Established in 1988-1989, the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) creates research partnerships between undergraduate students and University of Michigan (U-M) researchers and community partners and organizations.The UROP supports the mission of the University of Michigan (U-M) by engaging undergraduate students in research and creative inquiry. UROP encourages students towards a life-long appreciation for discovery and the social benefits of diversity, for building understanding across differences, and for critically examining information in the world around them. By providing opportunities for students to work on research and creative projects with University of Michigan researchers and community partners in all academic disciplines, UROP creates conditions for an equitable, inclusive, and supportive educational environment where every person feels valued and has an opportunity to add value.

Women of Color in the Academy Project

The Women of Color in the Academy Project (WOCAP) is a campus-wide faculty network at U-M that supports scholarship focused on understanding the experiences of women of color in the academy and advocacy work to address the challenges and issues faced uniquely by women of color in the academy. To advance this scholarship and advocacy work, WOCAP provides professional development and a supportive and inclusive community that includes writing retreats, weekly writing sessions, bi-annual dinners, and other networking and professional development opportunities. WOCAP is open to all faculty who support or are actively engaged in this work