“How can we help?”
This question resonated throughout the annual Michigan Road Scholars Tour, a week-long event showcasing the University of Michigan’s commitment to serving the state. The tour traverses Michigan, connecting faculty and staff with nonprofits, city governments, businesses, and tribal organizations. In just five days, participants engage in presentations, discussions, and tours, embodying the university’s mission to aid the people of Michigan.
The tour, run by the Office of Government Relations for over 20 years, immerses participants in diverse Michigan communities. Dana Sitzler, a key advocate, emphasized its importance in extending the university’s reach beyond its campuses in Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn. The 2026 Road Scholars, selected from over 100 applicants, began their journey with a dinner where Provost Laurie McCauley highlighted their role in representing the university statewide.
Conversations among experts during the tour focused on the university’s involvement in healthcare, the environment, and education. The stops included Monroe, Detroit, Bay City, St. Ignace, Traverse City, Grand Rapids, Holland, and Lansing. Each location offered insights into local challenges and aspirations, emphasizing the need for university support in education and community development.
Despite the enthusiasm, some presenters noted a disconnect, expressing the desire for students to return home after their education. The university’s mission extends beyond education, involving the application of research and expertise to address statewide challenges. The tour sparked discussions on how university representatives from Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn can collaborate effectively with organizations across the state.
Questions arose about maintaining relationships in regions without a physical university presence, especially Northern Michigan. The final stop in Lansing provided some answers, where Libby McGaughey, from the university’s Lansing office, invited Road Scholars to contribute their expertise to state policy, highlighting the university’s ongoing advocacy efforts amid budget challenges.
Credit where credit is due
The tour’s success was attributed to organizers Michael Rein, LaSonia Forte, and Dana Sitzler. Dana, who will retire after the 2026 tour, played a pivotal role in connecting university members with parts of Michigan they seldom see. Her efforts culminated in an experience that was both invigorating and exhausting.
Witnessing the dedication of university faculty and staff to address community challenges was reassuring. Despite global uncertainties, bright spots exist in Michigan, driven by those whose first instinct is to understand and then to ask, “How can we help?”
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