A Year in Review

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In 2023, Michigan's University Research Corridor has been collaborating on and conducting cutting-edge research, developing innovations and fostering talent more than ever before. Keep reading for highlights from the alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.

On March 7, the University of Michigan community celebrated with Santa J. Ono for his official inauguration as the 15th president of the University of Michigan.

Kimberly Andrews Espy officially began serving as Wayne State University’s 13th president on August 1. She succeeds M. Roy Wilson, who held the role for the last decade, and is the first woman to serve in the role in the institution’s history.

The Michigan State University Board of Trustees selected Kevin Guskiewicz as the university’s next president in a special board meeting on December 8.

The URC would like to thank President Emeritus M. Roy Wilson (WSU), President Emeritus Mary Sue Coleman (U-M) and Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff (MSU), who will serve until March 2024, for their service & leadership. It has been a privilege to work with these wonderful university leaders over the years.

Michigan's URC institutions are developing sustainable solutions through innovation and testing, and fostering change through the education of tomorrow’s leaders. Click the button below to read more from URC Presidents Santa J. Ono, Kimberly Andrews Espy & Teresa K. Woodruff. The opinion column was originally published in The Detroit News and later published in Second Wave.

Together, URC universities are developing the solutions and talent to help solve the problems Michigan faces today and anticipate the challenges of tomorrow. Click the button below to read more from URC Presidents Santa J. Ono, former president M. Roy Wilson & Teresa K. Woodruff in Crain's Detroit Business. (Note: Story is behind a paywall)

"The state is a leader in mobility innovation, accounting for roughly two-thirds of R&D spending in the motor vehicle industry. Michigan’s leading universities — the University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Wayne State — graduate more students than the academic complexes of Boston-Cambridge and the San Francisco Bay area."

This opinion column by Richard Florida was published in The Detroit News. (Note: Story is behind a paywall)

Britany Affolter-Caine, executive director of Michigan’s URC, released the following statement on the passing of Kathleen Wilbur.

“Kathy was a pillar of Michigan's higher education landscape and an integral part of the work of the URC. Her passing marks the loss of an exceptional advocate, leader and believer in the transformative power of education and research. Kathy's dedication to the advancement of Michigan's universities, spanning decades across various leadership roles, leaves an indelible mark on the fabric of our state.

Kathy’s legacy extends far beyond her professional accomplishments; it lives in the hearts of those she touched with her warmth, wisdom and unwavering commitment to service. Her ability to navigate challenges with grace, her relentless pursuit of solutions, and her genuine care for the institutions she served should be a guiding light for us all.”

Click the button below to read more about Kathy's impact in Crain's Detroit Business.

In September, URC universities had the opportunity to exhibit the exciting discoveries being made on campus that keep Michigan at the forefront of mobility innovation at the North American International Auto Show’s AutoMobili-D. The shared exhibit featured 25 in-booth presentations by mobility experts and students from each university on cutting edge research, along with samples of new technology they’ve developed.

During a panel hosted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, experts from each URC university highlighted how their universities are national leaders in mobility-related R&D and in preparing students who will define the next generation of the mobility industry.

Panelists included:

Moderator: Zoe Clark, Michigan Radio
Judd Herzer, Director of Mobility at Michigan State University
Henry Liu, Ph.D., Director of Mcity at the University of Michigan
Ali Abolmaali, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Engineering at Wayne State University

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The URC applauds the Michigan Legislature’s increased investment in Michigan’s colleges and universities, which includes a 5% across-the-board increase in operational funding for the state's 15 public universities as well as significant funding to improve existing facilities, infrastructure and technology.

The budget also boosts investment in students and potential students through $50 million in funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, student wellness initiatives and college affordability grants for students close to completing a credential or degree.

In April, Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University established the Technical Assistance Collaborative. Teams across the three universities are collaborating to provide resources to Michigan communities working to reduce drug overdose deaths.

Working together as University Research Corridor partners, we are better able to engage with others across the state to provide the critical training, information and support needed to prevent opioid-related tragedies.

Michigan's URC is one of the top academic research clusters in the nation. The 14th Annual Benchmark Report provides an overview of Michigan's URC’s collective competitiveness with peer university clusters nationwide.

Read the URC's 2023 Benchmark Report

Michigan's University Research Corridor (URC) is one of the nation's top academic research clusters and the leading engine for innovation in Michigan and the Great Lakes region. An alliance of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, the URC is focused on increasing economic prosperity and connecting Michigan to the world.