Alumni M-Pact DEI Certificate Program

The Alumni M-Pact DEI Certificate program, presented by the Alumni Association and the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, is a four-week learning initiative that explores essential DEI concepts, equipping you with tools to thrive in diverse environments and cultivate the mindset of an inclusive leader.

Developed by Dr. Deborah Willis, ’07, exclusively for U-M alumni, this program goes beyond just DEI knowledge. It offers actionable steps that can bring about positive changes in communities and organizations globally.

By participating in this program, you’ll gain the skills necessary to engage with issues in a diverse environment and make an immediate impact on your community.

You Will Benefit From M-Pact By

Fostering connections with other alumni and the university to advance DEI efforts globally.
Increasing capacity to create and advance your own DEI efforts in your spheres of influence.
Obtaining an official certificate signed by the U-M Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Cost

$549 for Alumni Association members
$699 for non-Alumni Association members

Course Notes

The Alumni M-Pact DEI Certificate program has a limited capacity, and you’re required to fill out an application before being accepted into the program. The application for this program closes at 11:59 p.m. ET on March 6, 2024. Applicants will be notified of their admittance status by March 11, 2024.

For any questions about the M-Pact DEI Certificate program or other Alumni Education programs, please contact [email protected].

Become a Volunteer DEI Coach

For any alumni with advanced knowledge and expertise related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we invite you to participate in the program as a volunteer DEI coach.

2024 Schedule

All sessions are held on Thursdays via Zoom. All times Eastern.

Module One: Framing DEI Work for Impact and Mitigating Bias
March 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Module Two: Interrupting Harm
March 28, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Module Three: Inclusive Leadership
April 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Module Four: DEI Commitment in Action: Engaging Communities and Organizations
April 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Closing Ceremony
April 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Program Details and Expectations

As participants complete each program module, the DEI information and skills obtained can be incorporated into their respective M-Pact projects as well as individual spheres of influence.
The program will include weekly virtual synchronous sessions followed by a celebratory closing ceremony.
The weekly synchronous sessions will be delivered virtually via Zoom. We will also use Canvas, a web-based learning management system, for additional content and interactive opportunities for the cohort. The Alumni Education Gateway will also be used to provide additional resources to sustain participant connections and continued learning after the program.
Participants will be placed in small learning circles and instructed to meet virtually once a week in addition to the weekly session with the larger cohort. In these weekly sessions, the group will further discuss and unpack the content for the week.
All participants will be assigned coaches to share and gain insight on the DEI initiatives proposed in the applications. Coaches will be U-M alumni with expertise in advancing and sustaining innovative inclusion and equity practices.
The program will include a capstone event where participants can share progress on their DEI initiatives.