The world is a diverse and ever-changing place, and our continued excellence is tied to our ability to reflect that diversity in our campus community and the work that we do together. To ensure that LSA stays on the cutting-edge of research and academic excellence as part of a leading global public university, we recognize that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to the college’s vision and mission. We elevate our shared values as we reimagine the world and create positive, purposeful change.
Students who learn in inclusive classrooms, on a diverse range of topics and from a diverse range of faculty, are better prepared to be leaders, researchers, problem solvers, and creators. LSA is building on successful initiatives to increase access to higher education, improve systemic policies and practices to advance equity, and support student career development. Gifts to support DEI initiatives, including student and faculty priorities, bolster LSA’s work in foundational skill development and foundational science and ensure a strong legacy of exploration and tradition of excellence in an increasingly diverse community.
Your Gifts at Work
Dean's Discretionary Strategic Fund (373645)
This important giving opportunity represents a powerful investment in the leadership and vision of the college. With DEI woven into the fabric of our work across the college, from research and teaching to collaborative, interdisciplinary initiatives led by LSA, we remain focused on the importance of belonging. Gifts of all sizes to this pooled fund enable us to develop programs and impact positive transformation through initiatives for faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates.
“I think LSA just gives you everything. I can’t imagine a better, holistic, all-encompassing college.”
– Alex Mamonov, LSA Class of ’27
“We remain focused on the importance of belonging, as we strive to make LSA an ever more diverse community where all individuals can thrive, knowing that they can bring their whole selves to our shared space and that each of their voices matters in our shared mission. Together we are fostering positive transformation in our local communities, the state of Michigan, the nation, and beyond.”
– Anne Curzan, Dean, College of LSA; Geneva Smitherman Collegiate Professor of English Language and Literature, Linguistics, and Education; Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of English, Linguistics, and Education
Comprehensive Studies Strategic Fund (308498)
The Comprehensive Studies Program provides comprehensive academic support to U-M students through LSA courses, academic and co-curricular programming, and student support services that utilize high-impact, inclusive practices to encourage student agency and engagement. As the University of Michigan addresses diversity issues, CSP is critical to the goals of access and equity that are so central to the college and the university as a whole. Each year, expendable funds are a vital means of addressing urgent needs for the program, providing key resources, and increasing students’ ability to take advantage of opportunities. Gifts of all sizes to the strategic fund are critical to CSP’s ongoing development, including student programming, system upgrades, community culture development, future space renovations, and student community building.
“CSP has been a community that I can lean on. Being part of CSP’s Summer Bridge Scholars has shown me that there are people here like me, people that care about me and can help me. I have more confidence that I belong here.”
– Braylan, LSA class of ’27
LSA Fund for Student Well-being (341075)
To address the needs of LSA students across all dimensions of well-being, the college launched the Mental Health and Well-Being Advocates–dedicated staff who are bringing about systems-level change. They are planning and implementing student supports to maximize the availability of services LSA students can access. The college is assessing programs, building capacity, and improving availability of resources that focus on the public health principles of protecting, promoting, and preventing. Gifts of all sizes to this fund support a culture where all students in our community can thrive in their mental health and well-being.
“As a Mental Health and Well-Being Advocate, the Student Well-Being Fund provides me the opportunity to support LSA undergraduate and graduate students holistically in every sense of the word. What I love about my role is that I serve as a bridge to connect students, staff, and faculty in recognizing and developing their own definition of well-being at the individual, programmatic, and policy levels - and well-being is not 'one-size-fits-all'! Donors are generously partnering with us to develop programs for students to explore the eight dimensions of wellness and the ways they intersect with DEI and identity, provide staff and faculty with the skills to navigate student mental health crises through trainings and updates to classroom policies, and so much more. This role truly creates a positive impact on students so they can thrive on campus as Leaders at their Best.”
– Janelle Zora, LSA Mental Health and Well-being Student Advocate
