Scholarships for nearly 50 students. Dozens of events that engaged the university community in dialogue on democracy.

More than $500,000 in grants to uplift interdisciplinary democracy projects from across all three U-M campuses.

The University of Michigan is wrapping the Year of Democracy, Civic Empowerment, and Global Engagement, a campuswide initiative to strengthen democratic practices and encourage active civic participation.

But its work isn’t slowing.

“The Year of Democracy has guided the university through a year dedicated to programming, opportunities and exploration that embodies the spirit of deep listening and learning — hallmarks of the U-M experience that are vital to active participation in a democratic society,” said Year of Democracy Co-Chair Jenna Bednar, faculty director of UMICH Votes and Democratic Engagement.

The Year of Democracy for 2024-25 was the inaugural theme year emphasizing the five impact areas of the Look to Michigan vision effort. The university now begins the Year of Life-Changing Education for 2025-26.

Leading the ambitious theme year initiative were three faculty co-chairs, a 20-member faculty and staff planning committee and three staff members.

“The Year of Democracy reaffirmed our identity as leaders in the pursuit of democratic values, embracing the complexity of the process while affirming our shared commitment to the common good,” said Co-Chair Rosario Ceballo, dean of LSA.

The Year of Democracy also highlighted U-M expertise, presented researchers with Presidential Awards for Understanding Democracy and gathered the community in a three-day symposium on Democracy’s Information Dilemma.

“The official Year of Democracy is concluding, but its momentum has created an impact that will ripple through U-M, the state of Michigan and beyond for many years,” said Co-Chair Celeste Watkins-Hayes, dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. “I’m incredibly proud of the faculty and staff who provided a strong foundation for innovative programming and support, and our U-M community for engaging on so many levels.” 

A sample of accomplishments:

• Awarded six teaching and learning grants, 30 research grants, and 22 programming grants. Through the three programs, the Year of Democracy distributed $548,243 in grant funding to nearly 30 unique units across the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint campuses.
• Funded more than 100 student internships through $250,000 in contributions to the Public Service Internship Program, the Ginsberg Center, and scholarships for Michigan in Washington U-M Flint Students. 
• Established the Presidential Awards for Understanding Democracy and awarded $225,516 to five pilot projects.
• Engaged the campus community by hosting 13 events ranging from mini conferences to student town halls.
• Published more than 20 Michigan Expertise articles.

Looking into 2025-26, the effects of the Year of Democracy will continue beyond the scholarships and grants. The Year of Democracy committee will continue as the Initiative for Democracy & Civic Empowerment and will, along with the William L. Clements Library and the Arts Initiative, lead the university’s commemoration of the United States turning 250 years old.