CORE PROGRAMS
Detroit Promise SEEDS
The Detroit Promise SEEDS Program (Scholars Succeeding in Education with Excellence for Detroit Success) is an intensive one-week program tailored to incoming Detroit Promise scholars. The students explore trends and innovation in education, housing, and transportation in the greater Detroit area and how these areas impact Detroit and the State of Michigan as a future place for work and residence for young, professional talent.
SEEDS scholars study the economic, political, and social aspects of state and local public policy, teaching students how to think critically and to explore:
- How resources can be used to impact change
- How to be leading learners
- How to work in teams
- How to be critical thinkers and
- How to be self-advocates for their education
Designed to foster fact-based, critical thinking on the most important issues impacting the growth of the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan, students will have a unique opportunity to interact directly with U-M faculty and practitioners from the City of Detroit. Session topics are selected for their immediate relevance to today's and tomorrow's challenges facing growing Detroit and the State of Michigan. Participants will collaborate through class discussions and study groups that encourage diverse perspectives.
2026 SEEDS Program
Expectations for Students/Benefits of Program
- Early Move-In
- Build community with fellow incoming freshmen from Detroit
- Get a head start on exploring campus and campus resources
- Learn about issues that impact the future of Detroit and contribute ideas for future growth
- Develop relationships with faculty and staff
- Connect with your success coach, who will work with you throughout the academic year
Key Dates
Friday, August 7th
Pre-Camp Orientation Dinner & History Tour of Detroit
6 PM to 9 PM
Detroit Center, Ann Arbor Room - 3663 Woodward Ave #150, Detroit, MI 48201
Sunday, August 23rd
Welcome Dinner & U-M Campus Tour
5 PM to 8 PM
Michigan Union, Kuenzel Room (1st Floor), - 530 S State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Friday, August 28th
Closing Dinner & Final Project Presentations
6 PM to 8 PM
Michigan Union, Wolverine Room (3rd Floor) - 530 S State St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109
PROJECT SHOWCASE
Research Presentations
The SEEDS program culminates in group presentations highlighting the scholars' research and proposals to address Detroit's most challenging issues:
2025
2024
Background
Since 2013, the University of Michigan Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) has served as the receptor for the Detroit Promise Scholars, sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber, providing structured programming for academic success, holistic well-being, and professional development. At present, there are 255 Detroit Promise scholars enrolled at U-M- Ann Arbor.
The State of Michigan, the Detroit Promise, and the Michigan colleges and universities all share a mission to prepare students to be future educators, lawyers, artists, doctors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. We also share a hope that most of these students will retain their residence and talents in Michigan following graduation.
This program was developed to allow OAMI to engage Michigan Detroit Promise students in the recommendation presented by the Growing Michigan Together Council (GMTC) to retain young talent in the State of Michigan.
As citizens of Detroit and the State of Michigan, the Detroit Promise scholars are well positioned to provide a unique lens through which to garner feedback as to how their futures will be impacted by the successful implementations of the policies as recommended by the GMTC. Through this summer program, OAMI will invite Detroit Promise Fall entering freshmen to participate in a one-week lab-based program that will focus on the policy recommendations presented by GMTC with a particular focus on the City of Detroit.