Student Life

Jain Industry Partnerships Program

The Jain Industry Partnerships Program is a pilot program to introduce Stamps students to creative careers and creative possibilities in sectors they may not have considered (corporate, government, etc.). This program is made possible by a generous donation from Anurag Jain, MBA ‘95.

While any Stamps student may apply for the pilot program, first- and second-year students will be given preference. The program consists of:

• Six lectures or workshops in the Winter 2024 semester
• Individual mentoring with corporate employees in participating organizations (monthly minimum)

You must apply and be accepted into the program. Please note that all of the time commitments are on Friday afternoons in the Winter 2024 semester, so selected students may not schedule a class at that time.

• December 1: Mandatory orientation to the program
• January 12: Lecture or workshop TBD
• January 26: Lecture or workshop TBD
• February 9: Lecture or workshop TBD
• February 16: Lecture or workshop TBD
• March 8: Lecture or workshop TBD
• March 22: Lecture or workshop TBD
• At least one mentoring meeting per month
• April 5: End-of-year celebration!

Lecture and workshop topics currently under consideration include the following:

• Personal Branding (workshop)
• Pitching your own brand: How do you talk about yourself? (workshop)
• Transferable Skills and how to demonstrate them (lecture)
• What makes for an effective portfolio? (workshop)
• Networking, in-person and digital (lecture)
  • Networking for Introverts
  • Extroverts and how do we chill out?
• What I didn’t know and how I learned it (lecture)
  • How does the real world work?

Please note that in addition to the selected students for the program, all students are welcome to attend the larger lectures. Only selected students for the program will attend the workshops due to space constraints.

How to Apply

The application will open on September 11, 2023 and close on October 9, 2023. Selected students will be notified by an announcement at the end of October 2023. We anticipate about 15 to 30 students will be selected for this year’s cohort.

Start Your Application

Benefits for Students

• Connect with recruiters, current professionals, and industry leaders in corporate and other sectors.
• Acquire skills and knowledge about careers and pathways in the corporate and other sectors that they may not otherwise know about.
• The opportunity to network with, and connect with, mentors who can guide them and prepare them for positions in their industry.

Participating Industry Partners

The following organizations have committed to the program as initial industry partners.

Atomic Object
Atomic Object helps companies innovate and grow by creating custom software that’s beautiful, reliable, and easy to use. We develop products that cross-web, mobile, desktop, and custom devices. Predictable projects; uncommonly good software. With offices in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Chicago, we serve a national base of clients across many industries. Employee-owned; since 2001.

Bombas
Bombas is a comfort focused apparel brand with a mission to help those in need. We make the things that you live in, the things you move in, the elevated versions of the things you wear closest to your body every day. Socks, underwear and tees, but with premium materials and a big focus on fit for real bodies. Our mission since day one has been to help those experiencing homelessness. That’s why for every item purchased, we donate one to those in need. We’ve donated more than 100 million items to more than 3,500 community organizations to date.

Doner
Doner is a collective of left and right brains alike who come together for creative good. We’re a full-service agency with offices in L.A., Detroit, Chicago and the East Coast. From strategy to creative, we have a spirit of scrappiness that asks, “What If?” And with over 80 years of heritage and forward-thinking, we have the skill to pull it off.

Newell Brands
Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands such as Graco, Coleman, Oster, Rubbermaid and Sharpie, and 28,000 talented employees around the world. We aspire to delight consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands boasts an award-winning in-house design team, across multiple locations, that offer a specialized focus on design and innovation through diverse perspectives. Kalamazoo, Michigan is home to our global design HQ.

New York City Tourism + Conventions
New York City Tourism + Conventions is the official tourism marketing organization of NYC. We are the exclusive stewards of the New York City brand, providing unmatched access through our owned channels to travel-ready audiences around the world with award-wining content and globally renowned programs. We connect visitors, locals, businesses, and government alike to spread the economic benefits of the City’s tourism economy across all our stakeholders and partners.

YouTube
Our mission is to give everyone a voice and show them the world. We believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share and build community through our stories.

Additional industry partners will be added as they join the program.

Faculty Champion

The program will be run by Stamps Faculty Champion Seder Burns, who will assist in running workshops and lectures and coordinate with Stamps faculty and participating organizations.

For any questions, please contact [email protected].

Stamps Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant

The Stamps Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Grant is intended to provide funding to actively-enrolled students pursuing a degree program at Stamps and in good academic standing; Stamps staff; and Stamps faculty/instructors to support student's professional and personal development related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also provides funding to the School’s programmatic efforts and activities aimed at developing an environment that strengthens the School’s commitment to DEI and adopts tangible, sustainable practices that are guided by our organizational mission and values.

Situations eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• Student DEI professional development and career exploration.

• Supporting registration fees for DEI opportunities and defraying costs associated with travel/lodging.

• DEI programming supports students' learning, growth, and development.

• Subsidizing costs to bring speakers, artists, designers, and creatives whose practice centers on DEI tenets.

Eligibility

• Students must be currently enrolled full-time and pursuing a degree program at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and maintain good academic standing.

• Stamps staff and faculty/instructors working on student-centered projects, learning, and programming.

• DEI grant amounts for students will depend on the activity they are attending. A travel advance would be provided and expenses will be processed as reimbursements following the activity.

• Programmatic and/or curriculum funding must support activities that enhance the quality of student learning and specifically target DEI-related content and pedagogy.

Application Process

Students can apply online and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Before applying for DEI grants, students are encouraged to speak to Mark Chung Kwan Fan ([email protected]). He may be able to help identify alternative and/or additional sources of financial assistance and/or provide useful advice.

Online applications include the following:

• A brief statement describing the professional and/or personal development opportunity and the total dollar amount of DEI funds being requested.

• Budget detailing the amount of DEI grants requested and an itemized list of how the funds will be used.

Additional Information

• These funds are made possible by generous donor support. In recognition of donor generosity, students, staff, and faculty/instructors will be asked to complete a questionnaire and message of gratitude to the donor(s). For any questions regarding this portion, please contact Bruni Bezati ([email protected]).
• When completing your proposed initiative, we would like to highlight your accomplishments with a news story on the Stamps website. For any questions regarding this portion, please contact Rebecca Vogel ([email protected]).

• Application: Stamps Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Grant

Stamps Student Professional Development Grants

Description: The Stamps Professional Development Grant is available for Stamps undergraduate and graduate students who are seeking financial support to expand their creative portfolio, contributing to their growth as an artist or designer. This grant supports the development of skills, knowledge, and frameworks that artists and designers need to advance professionally. Examples of approved grant requests involve attending conferences or workshops, or to help with exhibition-related expenses outside of Stamps. Professional development funds cannot be used for costs associated with meeting the requirements of a degree program. Grants typically do not exceed more than $250 per applicant.

To request funding, please complete this form.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Any currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student at the Stamps School of Art & Design
• Any currently active student organization registered and in good standing through the Stamps School of Art & Design and the Center for Campus Involvement
• Professional Development requests have to meet the standards set by the Student Life unit at Stamps which reads as follows - Attending conferences or workshops, or to help with exhibition-related expenses
• The professional development opportunity, for which the funds are being requested, has to be completed prior to the student's graduation date
• Funding is only provided once per academic year per applicant

Preparing for Application Process:

• It is recommended that you connect with Stamps Lecturers Ali Shapiro and Jennifer Metsker to receive guidance on how to best write a grant submission and answer the application questions: learn more and book an appointment for a writing consultation here.

Application Process:

• Review eligibility criteria
• Submit an application by completing the application form. Questions within the application process include:
  • Applicant or student organization contact information
  • If applying as an organization - org name, shortcode, and project grant (for student organizations)
  • What professional development opportunity are you looking to fund?
  • How does this professional development contribute to your professional development as a creative?
  • What is the anticipated completion date of the initiative?
  • How much are you requesting? You will be expected to upload a forecasted expense budget.
  • Adherence to grant expectations
• Funding decision will be communicated to you via email

Grant recipients are expected to:

• Applications must contain a detailed budget with anticipated expenses for the professional development
• Provide any pertinent updates/changes to the Stamps Student Life staff ([email protected]) about the initiative (i.e. change of date, time, or location; no longer needing the professional development grant; etc…)
• Acknowledge the support of the Stamps School of Art & Design on promotional platforms/materials (as applicable)
• Provide any expense receipts after the professional development opportunity is completed (as applicable)
• Complete the Stamps Professional Development Grant Recipient Survey. As part of this survey, recipients will provide a thank you letter to the donor(s) responsible for supporting the Stamps Professional Development Grant

Failure to meet these requirements may result in the termination of the funding agreement.

Funds cannot be used for:

• Costs associated with meeting the requirements of a degree program
• Costs associated with Stamps hallmark events and exhibitions such as the Undergraduate Juried Exhibition, Stamps Senior Exhibition, etc
• Costs associated with classes/courses outside of the Stamps School
• Opportunities that do not comply with the law and/or institutional policies
• Funds cannot be used to directly benefit charity, fundraising efforts, or profit-making initiatives
• Alcoholic beverages and other drugs
• Funding cannot be used to support internships. Please refer to the Funding Support for Internships section

For any questions regarding the Stamps Professional Development Grant, please email [email protected].

• Stamps Student Professional Development Grant: Application Form

Stamps Welcome Leaders

Stamps Welcome Leaders is a cohort-based peer-to-peer program connecting returning undergraduate students with first-year and transfer undergraduate students. The goal is to increase a sense of connection, engagement, and community within the Stamps undergraduate community. This is accomplished through peer-to-peer group interactions guided by Stamps Welcome Leaders (returning Stamps students) who are trained to deliver intentional points of contact and programmatic efforts to first-year Stampers, including transfer students.

Stamps Welcome Leaders aims to engage incoming new students in a hybrid format. Once on campus at the beginning of the fall semester, Stamps Welcome Leaders have the responsibility to engage their respective cohorts of students with regular in-person and virtual check-ins throughout the first month of school while connecting new students to campus resources conducive to students’ transitioning to college.

Recruitment and Application Process

Stamps Welcome Leaders are responsible for creating and maintaining connection and community within their cluster's participants. Throughout the first month of the fall semester, Stamps Welcome Leaders engage new students through various modalities by acquainting, referring, and educating new students to U-M and Stamps resources and campus culture. The selection and training of student welcome leaders will take place at the beginning of each fall semester and weekly check-ins with the group of welcome leaders will be conducted. Being a Stamps Welcome Leader is a paid opportunity.

Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board (SAB) provides input and support that advances the work of the Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design at the University of Michigan. Board members will provide input on programs, initiatives, and direction of the School, in addition to, engaging in discussions on new and existing initiatives at Stamps.

Consulting with the Board

The Student Advisory Board is available to provide feedback and input on student-facing services and initiatives, and Stamps faculty and staff are invited to propose topics of discussion for monthly SAB meetings. To make a request, please complete this Google Form prior to the Friday preceding your anticipated visit: Student Life staff will confirm your visit by email.

Composition & Commitment

The SAB is composed of 8-10 undergraduate student leaders representing diverse identities and experiences. Members are selected through an application process in the Winter term prior to their term serving on the board. The SAB is heavily comprised of students who may not already serve in student leadership roles on campus. Student members are expected to make a minimum of one academic year commitment and attend monthly SAB meetings in addition to the orientation session in August or September. Board members cannot serve more than two terms. Additional eligibility to the Student Advisory Board includes:

• Members will maintain a 3.0 or above GPA and good academic standing.

• Members will adhere to the U-M Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities and other policies set by the University.

• Members must attend and actively participate at monthly in-person board discussions. Future meeting location and dates will be made available once selection process is complete.

Violations of the above commitments may result in a review of membership and possible cancellation of membership.

Board members responsibilities include:

• Provide feedback and input on Stamps-related services and initiatives that are student-facing with goals of improvement.

• Share insights on current topics, trends, and needs that Stamps students are experiencing during the academic year.

• Offer exhibition and programs related advice aiming to cultivate a sense of belonging for students at the Gallery.

• Advise on the process of fostering, developing, and sustaining student programs benefiting artists and designers.

• Provide a collective end-of-year impact summary and presentation reflecting the board’s achievements.

Membership Benefits

Being a SAB member is a vital, visible and high-impact role that elevates student voices, opinions, and needs. There are several benefits to being a member of the Stamps SAB:

• Influence the direction of the Stamps School mission and objectives through interactions with Stamps leadership, including initiatives that resonate with and are important to you.

• Gain valuable skills including advocacy, decision-making, networking, critical thinking, and leadership.

• Gain experience providing feedback and working in collaboration with other students as well as University staff with a variety of educational and occupational backgrounds.

Application Process

Applications for the 2024-2025 board will open in spring 2024 - check back for additional details.

Contact [email protected] with any questions.

Student Emergency Fund

The Stamps School of Art & Design’s Student Emergency Fund is intended to help meet financial needs of Stamps students who encounter an emergency situation or one-time, unusual, or unforeseen expenses during their degree program (award amount will vary, typically up to $2,500). This scholarship is not intended to supplement a student's financial aid package and cannot be awarded beyond what a student’s aid package allows.

Situations eligible for funding include, but are not limited to:

• Medical, dental, or mental health emergencies for the student.
• Major accidents and events such as fire and natural disasters.
• Expenses related to the loss of an immediate family member.

Challenges Related to COVID-19: Requests due to COVID-19–related hardships, even those that fall outside of the categories listed above, are welcomed and will receive full consideration. Such requests will be evaluated individually and could include support for temporary housing needs, emergency travel, or issues related to the need to work off-site or inability to work for an extended period because of self-quarantine, self-isolation, or social distancing. We will be continually monitoring these criteria as the situation evolves.

Eligibility

• Students are typically limited to one (1) Stamps Student Emergency Fund award during their undergraduate and graduate career.
• Students must be currently enrolled full-time and pursuing a degree program at the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design and maintain good academic standing.
• For students who qualify for need-based financial aid, receipt of this award may reduce the original loan amount or subsidy.

Emergency Funding generally does not cover:

• Expenses due to lack of financial planning
• Outstanding debt (to the university or otherwise)
• Tuition and other university fees
• Legal fees and court costs
• Technology Repair/Purchase

Application Process

Students can apply online and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Before applying for emergency funds, students are encouraged to speak to their advisors or program coordinator. These individuals may be able to help identify alternative and/or additional sources of financial assistance and/or provide useful advice. Students should also contact the Office of Financial Aid prior to submitting an application for help evaluating their individual circumstances and potential impact to financial aid.

Additional Information

Students who are experiencing financial difficulties that exceed the scope of this fund may request a meeting with an advisor or program coordinator to further explore the difficulties they are experiencing. Staff will be in touch with students to help address needs, concerns and to assist with campus referrals, as appropriate.

• Apply online

Student Organizations

Interested in joining an existing student organization or in creating your own at U-M?

• Browse the University’s Maize Pages for a complete list of student organizations.
• Preview student organizations with particular relevance to art and design students on our site.
• Use the links below to learn more about starting your own organization.

For more information, contact [email protected].

• Center for Campus Involvement (CCI)
• Student Organization Accounts Service
• Student Organization Resource Center (SORC)
• Student Organization Forms
• Student Organization Guidebook
• Central Student Government (CSG)