Ginsberg Annual Report 2026 - Text Only
COVER:
There is a graphic header at the top of the page. The blue background contains the phrase “Where Campus Meets Community” above a block M alongside the text “Ginsberg Center”. Below is one image in the center of the page. The image includes a photo of the new Edward and Rosalie Ginsberg Center building taken from the outside.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Director’s Letter
3 Our New Home
6 Community Partnerships
8 Student Engagement
11 Academic Partnerships
13 Beyond Ginsberg
15 Staff & Advisory Boards
PAGE 1
Image: Graphic of 4 interlocking puzzle pieces that are orange, navy, teal and yellow. Watermark in top right corner of page of enlarged version of same graphic.
Director’s Letter
This year marked an exciting milestone in our 30 year history, as we opened the doors to the Ginsberg Center’s new home, the Edward and Rosalie Ginsberg Building. Back on the corner of East University and Hill Street, the new building has been a labor of love from the architects (SmithGroup) to the builders (Demaria Construction) to the interior designers (Student Life’s design team), made possible by the generosity of the Ginsberg family, with support from Student life.
The welcoming, collaborative space designed to strengthen connections between University of Michigan and local communities not only meets all our programmatic and staff needs but is also visually stunning! The building has already received several awards for its design and it is the first net-zero ready building on campus. Everyone who has come through has remarked what an inviting space it is and we are eager to collaborate with folks on campus and in the community to bring it to life. We invite you to come see the new building for yourselves!
The new building energized our work as we explored all its possibilities while hosting numerous events this past year with our students, faculty & staff, and community partners. Our opening also prompted us to feature the new building in our updated branding: The Ginsberg Center is Where Campus Meets Community--reminding all of us that community engagement, at its heart, is place-based. We are all a part of, and contribute to, the neighborhoods we live in.
We have also been integrating community-engaged opportunities into numerous universitywide efforts to combat loneliness, promote civic learning, and make compensation practices more equitable. Our work within these spaces reflects the many ways that community engagement is central to the university’s mission to serve the public good. Our new space gives us a strong foundation, literally and figuratively, to expand access to community-engaged opportunities across campus, enriching the lives of students and our community partners for years to come.
In partnership,
Neeraja Aravamudan, Ph.D.
PAGE 2
Image: Small graphic of two overlapping trees: taller one in yellow, smaller one in orange on the right
A YEAR OF CONNECTION, LEARNING & PARTNERSHIP
6,282 Touchpoints
434 Student Engagement Opportunities
419 Requests for Center Support
466 Community Partners in our Network
3,000 Visitors to New Building
WHAT THIS WORK MAKES POSSIBLE
“The Ginsberg Center is a true gift to the community and non-profit sector. They have made it possible for many of us to learn things that benefit our organizations and help us to serve our community in a richer and more meaningful way.”
Local Community Partner
“Our Storytelling for Social Change (SFSC) intern was outstanding!! She listened to our wants and needs and was intentional about coming up with thought-provoking strategies to get the tasks completed. We were also impressed that she visited [our] center and did additional research to understand the importance of the assignment.”
SFSC Community Partner
“Participating in Ginsberg’s Community Technical Assistance Collaborative helped me think more critically about accessibility, equity, and impact when designing data-driven projects. Rather than seeing data analysis as something abstract...I began to understand it as a powerful tool for amplifying community voices and addressing real needs. For example, while working on a project that involved updating community resource data on a public website, I realized how even small technical decisions like how data is visualized or accessed can impact how useful that information is for community members. This experience encouraged me .”
CTAC Student
“I learned more about the ways Ginsberg Graduate Consultants are connected to larger institutional infrastructure which helped clarify our role in helping assess what resources we might offer to community partners as we develop a clearer understanding of their goals. I think it's important to register the difference between understanding oneself as an island versus understanding oneself as part of a network of relationships--the Ginsberg community really fostered that difference in disposition in me.”
Graduate Consultant
“Both of the staff I met with -- were extraordinarily knowledgeable about community organizations, resources at UM, and community-engaged pedagogy. They helped me to clarify my vision, map out practical next steps, and connect with a partner organization of my dreams.”
Faculty, LSA
PAGE 3
Image: Graphic of Side view of Ginsberg Building
Image: A photo of two individuals standing next to each other in front of a sign that reads “Edward Ginsberg Center”.
Caption: Bill & Inger Ginsberg
Photo Credit: Marc-Gregor Campredon
A New Home for the Ginsberg Center
From the moment the new Rosalie & Edward Ginsberg building opened, it has quickly become a vibrant hub for learning and collaboration, with over 3000 visitors passing through our doors since September. The energy and activity throughout the building has affirmed the importance of creating a dedicated space where students, faculty, staff, and community members can come together around shared goals.
Watching the building come to life has been one of the highlights of the year. Focus rooms became spaces for reflection and discussion, meeting rooms supported new university-community partnerships, and common areas fostered countless informal conversations and connections. We are deeply grateful to the Ginsberg family whose support made this vision possible. Their investment created more than a building, it has created a welcoming community space where collaboration can flourish and where the University's commitment to equitable community engagement is visible every day.
Learn more on our blog.
PAGE 4
Image: Small graphic of two overlapping trees: taller one in yellow, smaller one in orange on the right
Building Highlights
Combining Beauty, Function and Sustainability
Image: A photo of two individuals walking in the commons by the front desk.
Photo Credit: James Ewing
The Building’s inviting design has large windows, high
ceilings and soothing blues and greens. It includes nods to
the original building like using wood on the exposed ceilings
like the original hardwood floors, and tile backsplashes that
mirror the original fireplace finishes.
Every space is flexible with intentional choices that allow staff
and visitors to adjust spaces to their needs and comforts, from
sound and lighting to furniture that accommodates all bodies. Our
updated technology allows for hybrid gatherings where everyone
can participate, in person and online.
Image: two individuals in the student organization hub. One is sitting at a table watching the other write on the whiteboard.
Photo Credit: James Ewing
Image: Two individuals sitting in the America Reads library.
Photo Credit: James Ewing
Award-Winning Design
AIA Michigan
2026 Building Award
CAM: Construction Association of Michigan
2026 Project Achievement Award
Crew Detroit: Celebrating 40 Years
2026 Impact Award Nominee
NCSEA: National Council of Structural Engineers Associations
2026 Structural Engineering Excellence Nominee
PAGE 5
Image: Small graphic of symmetrical flower in teal, blue and yellow
Spotlight: Grand Opening
Ribbon Cutting
Image: A group of individuals standing in the Ginsberg Center commons behind a ribbon.
We officially opened the building in September 2025 with our Ribbon Cutting, inviting university
leadership and special guests to honor and thank the Ginsberg family for their generosity. We were
delighted to feature faculty and students who have been deeply impacted by their work. Read
more about this event on our blog.
Setting the Stage
Image: Many individuals sitting and standing in the Ginsberg commons listening to a speaker at the front of the room.
We also hosted an Open House in late September where community and university partners shared
what the Center has meant to them and what they hope for our collective future. Here, Jessica A.S.
Letaw, our Community-Leader-in Residence, shares how our histories are intertwined with a rapt
audience.
Showcasing our Impact
Image: A group of individuals putting together a timeline of the Ginsberg Center.
The Open House gave us an opportunity to highlight our long history of incubating meaningful community-
based programs for students, faculty and staff. We shared metrics and stories from over the years to
highlight both the depth and breadth of our efforts. Learn about the Center’s History on our website.
Connecting Communities
Image: Community partners tabling in the outdoor area of the Ginsberg Center.
The Open House also allowed community partners to interact with guests, share their missions and recruit
volunteers. We have found that post-COVID, our partners are eager to rebuild their volunteer pipelines
and we are committed to supporting their efforts. Read more about our Open House on our blog.
PAGE 6
Image: Small graphic of two overlapping trees: taller one in yellow, smaller one in orange on the right
Community Partnerships
Connecting Community Priorities with University Resources
The Community Partnerships team collaborates with a diverse network of nonprofits, grassroots
organizations, schools, government agencies, and other community-based organizations, each with
unique priorities and goals for engaging with the University of Michigan. This year, our network
included 466 community partners, with 32 partners connecting with us for the first time. 45% of
partners are located in Washtenaw County, while 55% are based elsewhere in Southeast Michigan,
reflecting both our deep local roots and our broader regional engagement.
This past year 53% of matches to community partners were directed to Ginsberg-led programs
for U-M students, while the remaining 47% supported U-M courses, programs, student
organizations, and research projects from across campus. These matches address a wide variety of
issue areas and skills.
Horizontal bar chart showing the breakdown of matches by issue area: Education & Youth Development leads at 86, followed by Health & Wellbeing (46), Community, Civic, and Social Justice (35), Economic & Community Development (24), and Environment, Arts & Culture (10).
“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership. It was a tremendous asset and opportunity for growth this
summer. Thank you for providing us with this opportunity”
- Area Nonprofit Director
466 partners in our network
165 university-community matches
82 unique community partners
PAGE 7
Where We Connected Community Partners
Ginsberg connected community partners to opportunities both within our
own programs and across the University of Michigan. Just over half
(53%) of matches supported Ginsberg-led student engagement
programs, while 47% connected partners to courses, research, student
organizations, and initiatives across campus. While many matches
support Ginsberg-led programs, the chart highlights the variety of
connections made across campus, showcasing how Ginsberg helps
community partners access university resources, expertise, and
engagement opportunities beyond our own programs
Horizontal bar chart titled “Community Partner Connections Across U-M. Course leads at 29, followed by Project (15) and Event (15), Research (8), Program (5), and Other (4).
Community Priorities Addressed through Matches
Whether connecting partners with Ginsberg-led programs or resources across the university, each match
represents an opportunity to support community priorities through collaboration. Across all community partner
matches, Ginsberg supported work across a range of focus areas, reflecting the diverse goals and strengths of
the communities we partner with. Education and youth development represented the largest area of focus,
followed by health and wellbeing, community, civic and social justice, economic and community development, and environment, arts, and culture.
Horizontal bar chart showing community priorities assessed: Education & Youth Development leads at 86, followed by health and wellbeing (46), community, civic, and social justice (35), economic and community development (24), and environment, arts, and culture (10).
Beyond the priorities addressed through these
partnerships, matches also reflected the diverse skills
and expertise brought to community collaborations.
Through these connections, community partners
accessed support that strengthened their programs,
expanded their capacity, and advanced their missions.
The most common areas of support included
communications, marketing and design; education and
tutoring; and assessment, data and evaluation,
highlighting the range of ways U-M students, faculty, and
staff contribute their knowledge and skills in response to
community-identified needs.
Circle chart titled ‘Common Areas of Support’ listing Communications, Marketing & Design at 32%, Education & Tutoring at 25%, and Assessment, Data, & Evaluation at 13%.
PAGE 8
Student Engagement
2,812 Unique Students
6,282 Unique Touchpoints
Students engaged with the Ginsberg Center
through a wide range of learning and support
opportunities this year. Through our outreach
events, skill-building workshops, and individual
advising appointments, we create multiple entry
points for students to explore community
engagement opportunities, strengthen
community partnerships, and develop civic
leadership skills. Together with our six Ginsberg
programs and student organization
grantmaking, these opportunities generated
6,282 student touchpoints, reflecting the many
ways students connect with Ginsberg
throughout their time at U-M.
45 Outreach Events
78 Workshops
305 Advising Appointments
176 Students in 6 Ginsberg Programs
Students at Every Academic Level Connect with Community Engagement
Pie chart illustrating student academic levels: 66% Undergraduate Students and 34% Graduate Students
These opportunities reached students from all 19 U-M schools
and colleges, demonstrating the broad role community
engagement plays across disciplines. Participants included both
undergraduate and graduate students, with undergraduate
students representing 66% of participants and graduate
students representing 34%, illustrating strong engagement
across degree levels and academic pathways.
PAGE 9
Spotlight: Celebrating Student Leadership & Community Partnerships
2026 Student Grant Showcase
Image: Many individuals sitting in three rows in front of a projector screen displaying ‘The 2026 Student Grant Showcase’.
Image: Students engaging with presenters at tables.
Image: Students engaging with presenters with posters.
These opportunities reached students from all 19 U-M schools
and colleges, demonstrating the broad role community
engagement plays across disciplines. Participants included both
undergraduate and graduate students, with undergraduate
students representing 66% of participants and graduate
students representing 34%, illustrating strong engagement
across degree levels and academic pathways.
PAGE 10
Spotlight: Building Events