News &
Notes
October 2017
Note from the Director
Welcome to the new school year and a new fall semester.
It is my first fall semester as Program Director and I am
excited about all of the progress and
changes that are already occurring. The
history of this program is storied and
unique. Three decades in and we remain
intellectually and academically vibrant. As
stewards of that history, we have an
important role to play.
There are great things happening. From our first
informational orientation/open house night, to a student
survey, advising improvements and more there is a lot to
be excited about this fall. We have so much more in store
and hope that youll bear with us as we make the changes
that are necessary to make the program live up to its
history and reputation. As always, my door is open and my
email inbox (kimsaks@umflint.edu) is waiting for your
comments and concerns. If there is anything I can do,
please let me know.
Graduation and Commencement
Many students ask when they should apply to graduate and
how the process works. Oftentimes, students confuse
graduation (the receipt of a degree for completing a
program of study) for commencement (walking in a
graduation ceremony either in Flint or in Ann Arbor).
Believe it or not, these are two different processes.
TO APPLY FOR GRADUATION: You must visit the
registrars website and click on the link on the left that
says GRADUATION AND COMMENCEMENT.
Follow the directions for graduation through SIS.
Commencement information comes approximately two
months prior to the commencement ceremony through
your UM-Flint email account.
New Advising Process
We have a new advising process being implemented this
fall. Here are the key points:
Starting now, you will have a faculty advisor. Your
assigned advisor is listed in the box below.
You and your advisor will map out your course of
study using a Plan of Work document that allows you
to know what courses you need and how fast you
should complete your degree program.
While you are responsible for registration and
maintaining adequate progress, your advisor will be
your guide to doing this successfully throughout the
program.
You must have an approved Plan of Work on file to
graduate. You also must have a Plan of Work on file
to register for Winter 2018 or later.
You should contact your advisor soon to complete your
Plan of Work, no matter where you are in the program. To
ensure that everyone completes a Plan of Work this
semester, we will be placing an advising hold on all
student accounts as of October 1, 2017 that will prevent
you from registering for Winter, Spring, and Summer
2018 courses until your Plan is completed and approved.
You can print off a sample Plan of Work on our new
Blackboard organization page, along with a more detailed
discussion of the process and a blank substitutions form.
ADVISORS
New students (admitted AFTER July 2017): See Admit Letter
Continuing Students (admitted BEFORE July 2017):
Last names starting with A-LKim Saks McManaway
Last names starting with M-ZJeremiah Wade-Olson
KEEP IN MIND UNTIL NEXT TIME Have you turned in your
Student Experiences Survey?
DATES TO REMEMBER Please do so by 10/4/17!
October 16-17, 2017No classes, FALL STUDY BREAK
November 13, 2017Early registration for Winter 2018, Spring 2018, and Summer 2018 begins
November 21, 2017Open registration for Winter 2018, Spring 2018, and Summer 2018 begins
December 12, 2017Classes end
December 13Study Day
December 14-16, 18-20Final Exams
December 17, 2017Commencement

IMPORTANT LINKS
MPA Program Website:
https://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/public-administration-mpa Make sure to
MPA Program Facebook Page: email your
https://www.facebook.com/UMFlintMPA advisor today to
Registrar Website: set up an
https://www.umflint.edu/registrar
appointment to
COMING SOON complete your
- Winter 2018 informational dinner date Plan of Work.
- MPA Student Handbook
- MPA alumni and career event

University of Michigan-Flint
Master of Public Administration Program
303 E. Kearsley
220 French Hall
Flint, MI 48502