Wolverine Caucus members are University of Michigan alumni including legislators, lobbyists, staff, and advisors working in and around State of Michigan government. They meet with U-M experts on timely, relevant public policy subjects during the legislative session. Our mission is to provide diverse forums at which U-M friends can meet one another, enjoy fellowship, exchange views and learn from the world-class talents of U-M faculty and administrators.
The Caucus is informal, with no dues, no elections, no organizational chart. Please join us at a Wolverine Caucus event soon! A delicious lunch is provided, prepared with locally grown produce. Vegetarian meals are available.
To receive announcements of upcoming programs, call the U-M Lansing Service Center at amccullu@umich.edu and ask us to add your name or the names of associates.
2023 Wolverine Caucus Events
Wolverine Caucus: The Pathway to Higher Education – A Discussion on strategies to ensure access to higher education for all - Tuesday, August 15, 2023<
4:00-6:00 pm
The Pathway to Higher Education - A Discussion on strategies to ensure access to higher education for all
A Discussion on College Access - How different programs are providing new pathways for High School students to pursue higher education. From UM’s Wolverine Pathways program to the Grand Rapids promise, more and more activities are being undertaken to help Michigan children reach the next level of education.
Moderated by Rep. Carol Glanville, Chair of the House Higher Education Committee, our panelists will share their expertise on how to increase access to higher education and create the homegrown talent Michigan needs.
Wolverine Caucus: Michigan’s Climate Future – What it means to be a climate refuge and how to prepare - Wednesday, April 26, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Michigan is uniquely situated as climate change makes significant changes to our way of life, identified by international experts as a climate refuge. Michigan’s Great Lakes help serve as an insulator for many of the climate impacts that will face the rest of the nation. That doesn’t mean Michigan won’t still need to make significant adaptations to address climate change impacts, it means that the state will face a unique challenge of both adaptation and preparing for an influx of climate refugees from places around the country. Our presenters today will discuss where we are at in addressing climate impacts on the Great Lakes, and how we need to prepare our water systems and available resources for an influx of population.
Wolverine Caucus: Oral Health is Whole Health - Tuesday, March 31, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm
A trip to the dentist has long been considered as something completely separate from your general healthcare, but research from Dr. Nalliah shows how poor oral health can impact general health outcomes. Often access to care is a major barrier to good oral health in underserved populations. How do we bridge this gap and increase equity in oral health and better get care to underserved populations - which will drive better overall health and save costs with preventative care.
2022 Wolverine Caucus Events
Wolverine Caucus: Leveraging University Innovation to Propel Michigan’s Startup Ecosystem - Friday, February 18, 2022
10:00am - 11:30am
Innovation Partnerships at the University of Michigan serves the U-M research community by supporting the commercialization of new research discoveries and technologies. Innovation Partnerships further partners with public universities across Michigan to bolster a statewide university technology commercialization ecosystem. This collaborative network is made possible by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Entrepreneurship and Innovation initiative through a series of programs that provides resources to streamline critical innovation and technology commercialization support.
Electric Vehicles – Can Michigan Lead The Way? - Friday, January 21, 2021
10:00am - 11:30pm
The future of mobility is dynamic - new advancements are happening every day. Increasing funding and emphasis on electric vehicles will have a direct impact on the State’s economy by expanding much needed educational infrastructure to engage, reskill/upskill and educate more students at all levels, while also supporting innovation in essential areas: advancing the state-of-the-art for range and charging; transforming the capabilities for future battery packs through research on new materials, manufacturing methodologies; etc. The University of Michigan has a robust track record of collaboration and partnership that lead to high value outcomes. A strategic investment is critical for positioning the State of Michigan as the leader in EV related research and workforce development, and ensuring the State’s competitiveness and leadership position in the future of mobility for the near- and long-term.
The future of mobility is dynamic - new advancements are happening every day. Increasing funding and emphasis on electric vehicles will have a direct impact on the State’s economy by expanding much needed educational infrastructure to engage, reskill/upskill and educate more students at all levels, while also supporting innovation in essential areas: advancing the state-of-the-art for range and charging; transforming the capabilities for future battery packs through research on new materials, manufacturing methodologies; etc. The University of Michigan has a robust track record of collaboration and partnership that lead to high value outcomes. A strategic investment is critical for positioning the State of Michigan as the leader in EV related research and workforce development, and ensuring the State’s competitiveness and leadership position in the future of mobility for the near- and long-term.
