Sessions For: Student Life

This program is for advisors of different student organizations!

Come help us during normal operating hours; as well as, unload our weekly Food Gatherers deliveries and stock our shelves!
If you are outside the U-M community, please reach out to maize.blue.cupboard@umich.edu to sign up.

Join us for a new Coaching Circles Pilot! Each coaching session will provide 8-10 staff members with an opportunity to interact informally with a Student Life Unit Director around a leadership topic of interest to them. These are informal conversations (rather than workshops or presentations) between staff and these leaders who have experience with and willingness to share their wisdom around these topics.
Staff are asked to register for only one Coaching Circle session this semester as part of the pilot. Space is very limited, register today!

First-Year Relationship and Sexuality Talk (FYRST) is a required, in-person, and peer-facilitated workshop that came directly from feedback and listening sessions with current University of Michigan students. Our goal is to create an accessible, supportive space for student-driven conversations where all identities and experiences are welcomed and in which students can build skills and tools around identifying goals and values and then communicate effectively about those. Workshops will be offered at multiple locations and times throughout the fall semester, so please sign up for the workshop that works for you!!
First-Year Relationship Sexuality Talk (FYRST) FAQ:

“How many workshops do I have to sign up for?”

You only need to sign up for 1 workshop. Attending 1 workshop will fulfill the requirement for the training.

“I see that there is more than one session, does it matter which one I sign up for?”

It generally does not matter which workshop you sign up for. There will be a few that are designated for specific groups such as transfer students or for students looking for accommodations. If you do not fit these groups please try to save these workshops for those that do and you are free to choose among any of the other workshops.

“Is this workshop required?”

This workshop is required for all transfer and first-year students at the University of Michigan.

“I’ve experienced harm around relationships or sexual experiences in the past and I am worried that attending this workshop may be harmful for me.”

Our team is aware that students who are coming into the university that have experienced harm in the past. Our workshop is specifically designed to respect and validate the experiences of survivors and has been carefully constructed to avoid any specific descriptions of violence and focus instead on themes of empowerment, communication, and boundary setting. However, if you still have concerns about programming and would like to request alternative programming, please feel free to reach out at SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.

“What if I struggle to learn in a presentation setting? I’m an active learner.”

Our workshop is built to meet a variety of learning styles, including time for self-reflection, small group sharing, and resources to take with you to work through on your own time! This workshop is meant to be interactive and inclusive.

“Can I request accommodations?”

We considered accessibility in creating this workshop and selecting the locations in which the workshops are help. However, we recognize many places at the University are inaccessible and we've set an * next to workshops that are on the first floor and lack stairs. These workshops also will have a presentation (other workshops we do not) and are a good fit for those who might need a large font. Please sign up for those if you feel that accommodations would assist you and reach out to SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu if you are concerned or have questions.

“I missed my workshop, what should I do ?”

Our team tracks attendance at each workshop by having participants swipe in with their MCard. If you are not able to attend the workshop you signed up for, our team will continue to send reminder emails until you have completed a workshop. In this case, please sign up for another workshop as soon as you can as the workshop is required and may fill up especially near the end of the semester. No need to contact SAPAC unless you are not able to reschedule.

“I have had gender-based violence training before, can I get this requirement waived?”

As this workshop was designed with University of Michigan student feedback in mind, our workshop is unique to the UM community. Our curriculum focuses on individualized reflection and because of its interactive nature, each workshop will be unique to the people attending. Although we are excited you already have familiarity with the subject, this workshop is required for every first year and transfer student.

“I’m a commuter/non-traditional student, do I still have to attend?"

Yes, this workshop is required for every first-year and transfer student - not only do we want every student to benefit from having this time to connect with peers, but we also want to make sure your peers benefit from what you bring to our community. If you have any concerns or questions about being able to participate, please contact SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.

“I still have questions! Who should I contact?"

Please contact us at SAPAC-FYRST@umich.edu.

The Ginsberg Center offers multiple workshops to support students and staff who are working with communities through courses, student organizations or independently. Learning in Community (LinC) is an educational workshop and training series focused on supporting those interested in community engagement, social justice, democratic engagement, advocacy, activism and philanthropy. Sessions address one or more of the following areas:

Principles and Practice of Ethical Community Engagement
Democratic Engagement
Leadership for Social Change
In addition to our LinC Workshop Series, groups can also request individual workshops. For more information, or to submit a request for one of the below workshops, please visit our website: https://ginsberg.umich.edu/linc

The SCOR Executive Board is excited to host a series of small group events designed to foster networking, collaboration, and community-building in a fun and relaxed setting. Each Executive Board member will plan a unique activity or event for a group of 5-6 participants, giving you the chance to connect with new peers in an engaging way.
📅 Flexible Scheduling:Events will be held at different times, so you can sign up for the time that best fits your schedule. However, to encourage fresh connections, participant groups will be randomly assigned, allowing you to meet and interact with a diverse mix of graduate students.
🎯 Why Join?
Expand your network and make meaningful connections.Enjoy a fun and interactive activity.Contribute to building a stronger graduate student community.👉 Sign up now to reserve your spot and be part of this exciting series of small group events!

As a small token of appreciation, we would like to invite you to the IGR minor party on Friday, March 20th, 5:00-7:00 pm at Jolly Pumpkin Cafe and Brewery!

Accessibility note: there is a physical step folks will need to take to get into the back room. Please let us know if you will need any support and we will be better about selecting accessible spaces moving forward.

Stop by our drop-in painting space and let your imagination flow onto the canvas! Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who already loves to paint, stop in, create for a bit, enjoy some food, and enjoy a relaxing moment whenever it fits your schedule. 🎨

Are you a current master’s student or recent alum considering a Ph.D. or another doctorate? Do you want to learn how to effectively present your research experience and academic potential to admissions committees? This workshop will guide you through the essential components of a successful doctoral application. We will review different types of doctoral programs, typical application timelines, application documents, and additional factors to consider when looking and applying for a doctoral program. We will also reflect on if a doctorate is the right choice for your career goals. You will have the opportunity to ask your questions and learn more about how to best utilize University Career Center and Rackham resources to get support for this academic transition. Whether you are just considering the idea of pursuing a doctoral degree or you have already started preparing for it, this session will provide the tools you need for a successful application. This event is intended to be interactive and therefore a recording will not be available. Brought to you by the University Career Center, in partnership with Rackham Graduate School.

We invite you to participate in idea generation sessions that will be designed to spark innovative thinking, generate collective insights, and inform the priorities of Trotter/MESA. PLEASE NOTE: these sessions are only for U-M students.

TMC/MESA’s Arab Heritage Month Committee invites you to our Open Mic Night on Wednesday, March 25th. Centered on this year’s theme, “Our Truths,” this night is about sharing the stories, joy, memories, and lived experiences that make our community what it is. Whether it’s poetry, spoken word, storytelling, comedy, or another creative piece, we’re creating a space for Arab voices in all their depth and diversity, and everyone interested in learning about them.

Please note the following:

Before you sign-up, please make sure you have secured your supervisor's approval for attendance.
Register for only ONE session.
In this training, you will learn to:

Use the Shared Hiring Philosophy as a guide to creating an inclusive search experience and process framework that supports equitable candidate selection from preparation to onboarding Conduct behavior-based interviewing Create a team-oriented approach to an effective and positive candidate experienceThrough demonstration and hands-on practice, this course will serve as a guide to help you through the experience of being part of a search committee team.

Are you interested in learning how to effectively connect with colleagues and prospective employers? Do you want to learn how to discuss your research with those outside of your field? If so, this integrative workshop will help you develop a strong pitch that can be used in networking opportunities. Come and a) learn about the process of networking, b) develop and practice your pitch, c) reflect on when (and when not) to bring your research up in your pitch, and d) understand University Career Center networking and career development resources.


Brought to you by the University Career Center, in partnership with Rackham Graduate School.

Organized and sponsored by the Ginsberg Center's Student Advisory Board, Movie Nights aim to bring Ginsberg Center students together to build community with each other. At the Ginsberg Center, our mission is to cultivate and steward equitable partnerships between communities and the University of Michigan in order to advance social change for the public good.

Please note: The movies selected for screening do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Ginsberg Center or its affiliates, and their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement of any particular viewpoint.

Dinners for Democracy are nonpartisan presentations and small group discussions on topics students care about, hosted by the student organization, Turn Up Turnout (TUT). Free dinner is provided! Participants can expect to gain a deeper knowledge of the issue and an opportunity to discuss their thoughts, information about how their vote in local offices can affect the issue, and additional resources they can use to learn more.

Global Wolverines is an event series for students traveling abroad during the summer. The aim of the events is to provide students with a foundation essential for having successful international experiences.

Our 39th Annual Health Equity Conference, “Healing Environments, Healthy Futures: Promoting Environmental Health Equity in Resilient Communities,” will be held at the Henry F. Vaughn School of Public Health Building I, Room 1655, on Saturday, March 28, 2026. This conference aims to center the experiences and leadership of communities of color at the intersection of environmental justice, culture, and health equity. Unpacking the impact of climate change, AI, and policy shifts, this conference will focus on community-driven strategies and cross-sector collaboration to build healthier, more resilient environments and promote health equity across diverse communities.
The purpose of this conference is to highlight the experiences of populations of color and the contributions of researchers and community members through impactful, meaningful work in environmental health promotion. Emphasizing the importance of multicultural perspectives, community-based participatory approaches, and environmental justice frameworks, we aim to strengthen the capacity of future health professionals to advance health equity for diverse communities.
The “Healing Environments, Healthy Futures” Conference will increase participants' knowledge of environmental health inequities affecting communities of color and strengthen understanding of environmental justice frameworks grounded in lived experience and cultural context. Through community-centered dialog and applied learning, attendees will gain practical strategies for advancing health equity in research, practice, and advocacy.

Hosted by Rackham’s embedded University Career Center career counselors, the topic for this session is resumes. In particular, what are some strategies for writing the all-important bullet point? In an interactive discussion with examples and opportunities to workshop your own resume, we will work on framing your experiences as effectively as possible.

The Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) are excited to welcome you to the 2026 Social Justice Symposium: “Sankofa: Honoring the Past to Strengthen Future Democracy.” This event seeks to explore a central question: How can university communities draw upon their histories of activism, advocacy, and democratic participation to build a more equitable and inclusive future?
Our symposium serves as both a commemoration and a call to action—celebrating the Rackham Graduate School’s 150th anniversary while honoring SCOR’s origins in the Black Action Movement (BAM) of the 1970s. Through a combination of panel discussions, flash talks by faculty-student pairs, and interactive workshops, the event will create a space for students, faculty, alumni, and community members to reflect on how movements for racial and social justice have shaped higher education and to envision new strategies for democratic engagement today!



Each year, SCOR is proud to host an annual social justice symposium. This event is a part of SCOR’s legacy and a testament to our commitment of fostering dialogue and awareness surrounding the academic, social, and cultural journeys of graduate students of color at the University of Michigan. While the symposium is thoughtfully designed with the needs and experiences of graduate students in focus, we extend invitations to both undergraduate students and faculty, recognizing that our experiences are not only unique to us. We understand it is important to garner a supportive community. We seek support from faculty who have navigated similar paths and from other students who resonate with the symposium themes. This is also an opportune time to connect with others who are contemplating their next steps after undergraduate or masters studies. Aligned with our mission, SCOR welcomes everyone, irrespective of identities, religion, culture or abilities to participate in the symposium, showcasing the rich diversity and wealth of scholarly talent that Michigan graduate students have to offer. In pursuit of our objectives, this year's symposium revolves around the theme "Express Yourself—a vibrant celebration of self-expression." Our aim is to cultivate a safe and encouraging space for students to explore creative outlets and illuminate how their multifaceted experiences shape their research, hobbies, and other interests in the face of challenging realities.

Welcome to the University of Michigan! "So, You're New to Higher Ed" is a foundational course for Student Life staff members new to working in higher education and the world of student affairs. This four-session course covers key topics essential for understanding and thriving in the university environment.

Please register for each of the four sessions.

Note: this is an in-person event on the Ann Arbor campus.
Dinners for Democracy are nonpartisan presentations and small group discussions on topics students care about, hosted by the student organization, Turn Up Turnout (TUT). This event is in collaboration with the League of Women Voters. Free dinner is provided!


The event will discuss how petitions can be misleading and confusing and how to be certain you know exactly what the ballot proposal will do and how it will affect you.
Participants can expect to gain a deeper knowledge of the issue and an opportunity to discuss their thoughts, information about how their vote in local offices can affect the issue, and additional resources they can use to learn more.

The African Graduate Students Association (AGSA) at the University of Michigan invites you to its 2026 Graduate Research Symposium, a one-day interdisciplinary academic gathering that centers African scholarship as a driving force in global knowledge production.
Guided by the theme “We Are the Archive,” the symposium asserts that African scholars do not merely respond to existing bodies of knowledge, we actively produce, expand, and redefine them. Across disciplines, research conducted by Africans on the continent and across the diaspora, engages some of the most pressing global challenges in science, health, technology, governance, economics, development, and the humanities. Across generations, the multiplicity of African knowledge (and its diaspora) have shaped foundational debates and advanced new methods across disciplines. This symposium highlights research that is rigorous and original, and attentive to the questions, archives, and intellectual genealogies that animate African, and diasporic inquiry. We convene to share work, grounded in theory, empirical data, innovation, and lived experience, generating new scholarship and practice.
“We Are the Archive” is a declaration and an invitation. It calls on participants to envision African research as transformative rather than reactive, generative rather than marginal, and innovative rather than imitative. This symposium foregrounds scholarship that affirms African agency, creativity, and intellectual continuity across time and space.

The Arts Initiative and TMC/MESA are hosting a Student Poetry Exhibition at the Michigan Union! The theme is "tomorrow" and selected poems are displayed in the Michigan Union from April 3rd-17th with a kick-off event on April 3rd in the Wolverine Room, Michigan Union. There will be light appetizers and activities for attendees and we invite you all to view the selected poems!

This workshop series brings a renewed focus to cultivating inclusive environments across campus. Participants will explore personal and collective experiences, learn best practices and strategies to foster belonging, and strengthen their ability to serve and support a diverse student population. Workshop offerings are open to Student Life staff and campus colleagues; attendance is voluntary. All workshops are free to Student Life Professional Staff Members.

We invite you to participate in idea generation sessions that will be designed to spark innovative thinking, generate collective insights, and inform the priorities of Trotter/MESA. PLEASE NOTE: these sessions are only for U-M students.

Weekly gathering for students, staff, and faculty to build community with the Trotter Team and discuss the week’s events. Organizations and units are encouraged to collaborate and offer light refreshments or share tea practices that center their cultural practices. Come join us for good conversation, food and fun!

Are you curious about student-led community-engaged work happening at the University of Michigan? Interested in learning about ways to engage with communities more equitably? Come join the Ginsberg Center in the Union’s Rogel Ballroom on April 7 as we celebrate and showcase the amazing work of our student grant recipients with community partners, our Community Leadership Fellows, and introduce several community organizations looking for student volunteers. Light snacks will be provided, everyone is welcome!
The event will take place on the second floor of the Michigan Union in the Rogle Ballroom. A map of the second floor is provided here. Please view additional building access and parking resources here.

As a member of the Trotter and MESA community, you—and the organizations you serve— provide invaluable insights that shape the culture and legacy of both units. As we continue to merge these units as one, we would like to invite you to help shape the next generation of Trotter MESA.
Both Trotter and MESA have a rich legacy of building community, shaping belonging, and deepening the experiences of students. This merger is not just a structural change—it’s a moment to build on that legacy and imagine a stronger future.
We invite you to participate in idea generation sessions that will be designed to spark innovative thinking, generate collective insights, and inform the priorities of Trotter/MESA.

Imagine that you're at a disco awaiting a show from your favorite performer when suddenly, news spreads of a flash flood. The club is on a hill and participants inside are safe, but some of the facilities are impacted and it's unclear when people will be able to leave. The people at the club band together, using the available resources at the club and their creative problem-solving skills to survive. Part escape room and part immersive theater, this event invites participants to engage in a series of absurd artistic challenges to build skills and relationships for resilience in an uncertain climate future.

We prefer that all attendees register via sessions, but we can help you make a reservation for a group if you email sustainability.cos@umich.edu

This workshop is open to all graduate students seeking guidance on cover letters and resumes for positions beyond tenure track roles. It also meets the needs of those applying for internships, including those applying to the Rackham Doctoral Intern Fellowship Program. The process of synthesizing your academic experiences into strong application materials for jobs and internships beyond academia can be challenging but rewarding. This workshop is a hands-on opportunity for graduate students to learn how to effectively develop a resume using the foundation that they have laid with information from their CVs. Additionally, this session will include tips for writing compelling, tailored cover letters and thinking strategically about how these two documents complement each other.
This workshop is designed for master's students, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows. For faculty and staff, please contact rackhampdeworkshops@umich.edu to see if we can accommodate your attendance. Brought to you by the University Career Center, in partnership with Rackham Graduate School.

The merger of Trotter and MESA represents more than a structural change—it's an opportunity to build on decades of legacy while reimagining what's possible for our community. As a valued campus partner of Trotter, your insights are essential to this transformative moment.

Join us for interactive ideation sessions as part of our Framing Our Future campaign. These facilitated conversations are designed to generate collective insights and innovative ideas that will directly inform the priorities and programming of the merged Trotter/MESA unit.

University Career Center (UCC) Clothes Closet Turns 10 Years Old - Let’s Celebrate in Style! ✨
The UCC Clothes Closet is celebrating a decade of helping students build their brand, and we want you there.
We’re officially double digits! Join us for the Clothes Closet 10th Birthday Party & Open House - a two-hour celebration full of fashion, fun, and free treats.
Stop by our 10th Birthday Party Open House for:
🧥 A chance to donate an Item/bring Blazers to fill a Rack
🎡 Spin-the-wheel Games & Clothes Closet Trivia
🧵 DIY + Art Activities
🎂 Birthday Cake & Sweet Savory treats
🎁 Fun swag to remember the day
🏠 Renovation reveal + a look back at 10 years of impact
📸 Fashion photoshoot (yes, you’re the star)
Bring a friend. Leave with photos, snacks, and a little extra confidence.

Please join members of the Student Life Research team to brainstorm and discuss your proposal ideas for the 2026 Student Life Research Symposium.
Feel free to stop by anytime during the session and stay for as long as you like. Please register so we know you're planning to attend.
Treats will be served!