U-M faculty and staff are encouraged to share a new opportunity with students this term: the Campus of the Future Student Idea Showcase, a multidisciplinary competition.

The showcase invites U-M students to envision and propose transformative ideas for learning.

Up to seven finalists (individuals or teams) will each receive $500 and have an opportunity to present their ideas to President Domenico Grasso and Provost Laurie McCauley at a capstone event April 10. All individuals or teams that submit ideas by March 18 will be invited to present posters at the April event.

COTF, a signature effort within U-M’s Year of Life-Changing Education theme as part of the Look to Michigan vision, seeks to engage students and the campus community in a series of conversations about the future of education at U-M. Organized around seven major dimensions, COTF links events, workshops, design jams, curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities, as well as research symposia and special showcases of student-led projects, ideas and reflections.

The goal of the COTF Student Idea Showcase is to bring student perspectives into high-level planning conversations about the future of education at U-M and beyond. 

“Students need multiple, meaningful ways to help shape what education becomes at Michigan,” said Demetri Morgan, faculty director of Life-Changing Education and associate professor of education at the Marsal Family School of Education.

“They see what’s working and what isn’t in ways faculty and administrators can’t. This showcase gives that perspective a real seat at the table.” 

What students can propose

The showcase project scope is intentionally broad, welcoming ideas that enhance, reform or rethink the educational landscape. Concepts may take the form of products, services, programs, classes, spaces and more — from practical improvements, such as redesigning an underused space into a student community hub, to ambitious reimaginings, such as new approaches to teaching, grading or student support.

A guiding prompt asks students to consider how U-M might strategically transform its educational ecosystem, including learning environments, delivery models and support structures, while keeping a U-M education globally relevant, high-impact and accessible for diverse learners.

Students may participate as individuals or in teams, and their proposals may be either created during the winter term or drawn from existing work, such as a course project, research idea or co-curricular initiative. Participants are also strongly encouraged to align their proposals with at least one of the five Look to Michigan impact areas:

• Life-Changing Education
• Human Health & Well-Being
• Democracy, Civic & Global Engagement
• Energy, Climate Action, Sustainability & Environmental Equity
• Advanced Technology

“This isn’t just for students in design or entrepreneurship programs,” Morgan said. “We need faculty and staff to help students across every school see this as a place to contribute and refine ideas that can shape how learning evolves at Michigan.”

Key dates

Jan. 21, 26: Kick-off events
Learn about participation pathways and expectations.

Jan. 30: Optional initial idea submission
Submit an early concept for feedback and specialized support.

Feb. 11, 18, 19, 20: Optional networking and consulting sessions
Meet with university and industry leaders to refine ideas and strengthen proposals.

March 18: Project submission deadline
Submit a project description for initial judging. After the deadline, a group of university leaders will review submissions and select up to seven finalists.

Mid-March to early April: Finalist team coaching
Finalists will receive coaching to refine their ideas and presentations.

April 10: Presentation & Showcase
Final presentations, poster fair and awards ceremony (location to be announced).