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CASL will attract and retain high-achieving students from all walks of life and provide these students with unique educational, leadership, and engagement opportunities that will help shape them into future leaders and provide them with skills and knowledge to make an immediate and positive impact upon graduation in the workplace and/or graduate school.

Without scholarships, many students would not be able to pursue their education at UM-Dearborn. Privately-funded scholarships play a significant role in ensuring accessibility and affordability for any student who wants to pursue a CASL degree. These scholarships also help alleviate potential student debt which is especially important for UM-Dearborn students because in Fall 2024:

• 50% of incoming UM-Dearborn students came from low-income households
• 41% of new UM-Dearborn students (freshman and transfer) were first generation college students

• Foundations Program - required for freshman and transfer students, these courses help create a feeling of belonging, introduce them to campus resources, and help them plan their time on campus to get the most out of their experience
• Practice-Based Learning - interdisciplinary and collaborative courses so students apply, analyze, and evaluate what they are learning in the classroom
• Student Research - opportunity to conduct, publish, and present research with faculty mentors
• Study Abroad - provides students with exposure to different cultures and places which is critically important in a global economy
• Student Internships - unpaid internships provide work experiences related to student majors/career plans and many interns are hired by employers upon graduation

Help change the trajectory of student lives by contributing to one of the following scholarships and/or establishing a new named scholarship: 

CASL students facing financial barriers or unanticipated expenses struggle to stay in school. Often the amounts they need are just a few hundred dollars. Many simply drop out, never graduating, or take a break, delaying their graduation. Gifts to this fund enable the CASL Dean to provide support to CASL seniors so they can finish their degree, ensuring financial barriers do not prevent deserving students from completing their degrees and starting their careers. We estimate CASL students would be able to graduate if the college has annual expendable funding of $50,000 or an endowment of $1M. 

Similar to the CASL "Get to Graduation" Fund, this fund enables the CASL Dean to provide support to  rising sophomores and juniors who face financial barriers or unanticipated expenses which will keep them from continuing their education. Gifts to this fund enable students to continue their studies,  ensuring financial barriers do not prevent deserving students from making progress towards earning their degrees. An annual expendable gift of $50,000 or an endowed gift of $1M would enable CASL to ensure students stay enrolled and continue progress towards their degree.

Working with faculty mentors on research cultivates students' broad perspectives and extends their learning beyond the traditional classroom. This work provides invaluable opportunities for students to improve their interpersonal, practical, and cultural skills while gaining research experience in a variety  of settings. Students may also have the opportunity as undergraduates to publish their research, travel to conferences, and present their research, providing them with a transformative experience  and competitive advantage when applying for jobs or graduate school. Currently 3.5% of CASL  students participate in faculty-mentored research. Scholarships of $2,500 per student, will enable CASL to offer funding that enables students to participate in research. The college's goal is to increase the percentage of student research participants to 10% in five years resulting in the need to raise $500,000 in expendable funds or endowed gifts of $100,000 or more will provide multiple scholarships in perpetuity.

Students who secure unpaid, professional work through one of CASL’s internship programs are better prepared for their careers and likely to receive a job offer more quickly when they graduate. However,  many CASL students cannot afford to participate in an unpaid internship. Scholarships of $2,500 per student enable students to participate in internships so they gain experience in their field and are more competitive in the job market upon graduation. Currently, 9.5% of CASL students participate in internships. Our goal is to increase this to 50% in five years. In order to achieve this goal, we need  to raise $2.5M in expendable funds or endowed gifts of $100,000 or more will provide multiple scholarships in perpetuity.  

In today's world, study abroad, or global education, is an essential part of the undergraduate experience. Experiencing the differences between countries expands students' global perspectives. Studies show that cultural immersion helps undergraduates obtain greater awareness of global affairs, including political, educational, societal, and economic issues, better preparing them for the job market where employers are looking for skills that students develop studying abroad. Examples of these skills include critical thinking, self-sufficiency, flexibility, communication skills, and intercultural  knowledge and awareness. Access to study abroad experiences provides a competitive advantage as students secure their first jobs after graduation and build their careers. Currently 2% of CASL students participate in study abroad. Scholarships of just $2,500 can provide key support that will  enable a student to participate. The college's goal over the next five years is to triple the number of  students participating in study abroad by raising $467,500 in expendable funds for scholarships. Endowed gifts of $50,000 or more will support one study abroad scholarship in the first year and continue to provide more scholarships in perpetuity as the endowment grows. 

The SOAR program at UM-Dearborn hopes to provide a wide range of support, opportunities, advocacy, and resources for non-traditional adult learners with financial need pursuing their first  bachelor’s degree. SOAR is meant for students that are trying to pivot their career, improve their economic prospects, finish their education, or are the first in their family to earn a Michigan degree. Without the SOAR program, many nontraditional adult learners that seek support throughout their education might not get the helping hand they need. With SOAR, all kinds of students can seek assistance for their academic journey that might be hard to find otherwise. With SOAR, students receive support and resources such as a laptop loan program, textbook assistance, peer-to-peer mentoring, academic support, scholarship assistance, and more. An expendable gift of $75,000  annually or an endowed gift of $1.5M will ensure the continuation of this unique and much-needed program for adult learners. 

The Center for Math Education enhances the quality and accessibility of mathematics education. With an emphasis of fostering equity and diversity, we serve local schools and community centers by supplementing educational curricula and showcasing the applicability of mathematics. By nurturing close-knit partnerships with local educators and developing relationships with community centers, we create an environment where students are mentored and inspired by peers. We reach hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students through dynamic after-school and summer camp programs that reinforce math skills and demonstrate real-world applications, encouraging students to imagine themselves in STEM careers. In the last ten years, we have worked with educators, students and parents from Detroit, Dearborn, Inkster, and Westland school districts and schools such as University Prep Academy, Mumford High, Jaylen Rose Academy, Michigan Math and Science Academy, Dearborn High, Dearborn STEM, Salina, Oakman, CASS, Renaissance, and MLK. In order to continue to provide these programs, we need to raise $200,000 in annual expendable funds. 

CASL students will fully leverage the educational and co-curricular opportunities at UM-Dearborn and be equipped for what comes after graduation - whether it is employment, graduate or professional school, or entrepreneurship. They will be able to bridge the gap between the broad competencies of a CASL education and the more specific skills that employers and entrepreneurs seek through participation in Practice-Based Learning: a broad, more applied approach to teaching and learning, where students put classroom learning and their individual skills/talents into practice using a variety of applied learning methods.

With more than 40% of incoming UM-Dearborn students being first generation college students, many arrive without an understanding of what to expect from or what opportunities are available to them outside the classroom. CASL offers students numerous high-impact learning opportunities, in and outside of the traditional classroom, designed to significantly enhance their learning experience and prepare them for productive careers. These experiences include Practice Based Learning (PBL), study abroad, internships, and student engagement in faculty-led research.

For instance, CASL enriches their first year experience by requiring a Practice-Based Learning introductory course, helping inform their choice of major, selection of courses, and co-curricular activities throughout their time in CASL.

CASL enriches students' first year experience by requiring a Practice-Based Learning introductory course, helping inform their choice of major, selection of courses, and co-curricular activities throughout their time in CASL.

Examples of freshman level Practice-Based Learning courses are "Introduction to Nanomedicine" offered by faculty from four disciplines and "Protecting the Environment using Global Information System (GIS) Technology" taught by faculty from two disciplines. 

These courses introduce students to academic disciplines they may not have considered studying and experiences such as internships, study abroad, student research, and networking with professionals and experts in their field.

Practice-Based Learning courses provide students the opportunity to apply, analyze, evaluate, and/or create knowledge often in collaboration with others and across disciplinary boundaries and are taught at upper academic levels as well. Course assignments and learning opportunities often culminate in deliverables aimed at public audiences within or beyond the university. 

For example, upper level Criminology and Criminal Justice majors are working with a local law enforcement agency to review their old cold cases and look for new information that could help solve a case.

Help prepare all CASL students for success during and after their time at UM-Dearborn by supporting the various high-impact educational opportunities articulated here:

Students who secure unpaid, professional work through one of CASL’s internship programs are better prepared for their careers and likely to receive a job offer more quickly when they graduate. However,  many CASL students cannot afford to participate in an unpaid internship. Scholarships of $2,500 per student enable students to participate in internships so they gain experience in their field and are more competitive in the job market upon graduation. Currently, 9.5% of CASL students participate in internships. Our goal is to increase this to 50% in five years. In order to achieve this goal, we need to  raise $2.5M in expendable funds or endowed gifts of $100,000 or more will provide multiple scholarships in perpetuity.

In today's world, study abroad, or global education, is an essential part of the undergraduate experience. Experiencing the differences between countries expands students' global perspectives. Studies show that cultural immersion helps undergraduates obtain a greater awareness of global affairs, including political, educational, societal, and economic issues, better preparing them for the job market where employers are looking for skills that students develop studying abroad. Examples of these skills include critical thinking, self-sufficiency, flexibility, communication skills, and intercultural  knowledge and awareness. Access to study abroad experiences provides a competitive advantage as students secure their first jobs after graduation and build their careers. Currently 2% of CASL students participate in study abroad. Scholarships of just $2,500 can provide key support that will  enable a student to participate. The college's goal over the next five years is to triple the number of students participating in study abroad by raising $467,500 in expendable funds for scholarships. Endowed gifts of $50,000 or more will support one study abroad scholarship in the first year and continue to provide more scholarships in perpetuity as the endowment grows.

Working with faculty mentors on research cultivates students' broad perspectives and extends their learning beyond the traditional classroom. This work also provides invaluable opportunities for students to improve their interpersonal, practical, and cultural skills while gaining research experience  in a variety of settings. Students may also have the opportunity as undergraduates to publish their research, travel to conferences, and present their research, providing them with a transformative experience and competitive advantage when applying for jobs or graduate school. Currently 3.5% of  CASL students participate in faculty-mentored research. Scholarship of $2,500 per student, will enable CASL to offer funding that enables students to participate in research. The college's goal is to increase the percentage of student research participants to 10% in five years resulting in the need to  raise $500K in expendable funds or endowed gifts of $100,000 or more that will provide multiple scholarships in perpetuity. 

CASL Practice-Based Learning Strategic Initiatives Fund

Practice-based learning is an educational approach that emphasizes hands-on experience, practical application, and real-world scenarios as a primary means of acquiring knowledge and skills. In practice-based learning, the learning process often involves actively engaging with the subject matter in real-life contexts, allowing learners to directly apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. CASL is committed to providing these experiences for students to broaden their classroom experiences and better prepare them for their careers after graduation. Gifts to this fund will enable CASL to provide activities for students and faculty that are essential to a meaningful practice-based learning experience such as:  

• Speakers and events to facilitate innovative and exploratory thinking '

• Course projects including supplies, materials, equipment, access to specialized software and more 

• Increased access to facilities and equipment so students can work on projects outside regular business hours 

• Training for faculty on best practices in Practice-Based Learning, student focused teaching methods, community engagement, and community based projects and teaching. 

CASL needs to raise approximately $30,000 annually to support Practice-Based Learning in the college and has set a goal to raise a minimum of $150,000 in expendable funding over the next five  years and/or a $750,000 endowment.

CASL will attract, retain, and educate high-achieving students so they can help find solutions to some of the world’s most challenging problems in health, pharmacy, environmental science, forensic science, and more. CASL will provide students with state-of-the-art laboratories, equipment, and instruction to prepare them to make an immediate impact upon graduation in the workplace and/or graduate school.

The pursuit of knowledge in both the sciences and the humanities is a dynamic and ever-evolving journey where the frontiers of research and understanding are continuously expanding. Discoveries and insights from a decade ago provide the foundation for new breakthroughs in both fields. At CASL, our students, faculty, and staff are deeply committed to addressing emerging challenges and advancing our understanding of the world through the integrated lenses of science and the humanities. We offer undergraduate and graduate students exceptional opportunities to conduct interdisciplinary research, explore diverse cultures and environments, collaborate with faculty on groundbreaking projects, present their findings at conferences, and publish in esteemed academic and creative journals.

• The role of cell chirality in detachment of metastatic cells from the primary tumor. The detachment of cancer cells from the primary tumor is a crucial event in metastasis. Recent studies have suggested that abnormal cell chirality in cancer cells may play a role in this process, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our findings suggest that heterogeneity of cells' chiral properties can compromise the integrity of primary tissue, leading to the detachment of metastatic cells.
• Prevalence of Multi-Antibiotic Resistance in bacteria from Michigan Lake and River Waters. The dissemination of antibiotic resistant genes in urban water systems have increasingly become an issue for water quality and human health because of the widespread use of surface waters. In this study, 66 different E. coli strains were collected from the Rouge River, Saint Clair River, and Lake Saint Clair and screened for their susceptibilities to 12 antibiotics. Our findings suggest that these areas could potentially present health risks if multi-antibiotic resistance continues to increase.
• Seed to Oil, Bench and Beyond! Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research and Products. Aromatic plants have bioactive components which contribute to their therapeutic, aesthetic, and medicinal uses. Each student created a product after researching a plant, selecting a type of consumer product, choosing an appropriate method to create a safe and chemically stable product, and create the product literature.

Help CASL students and faculty create knowledge and understanding to find solutions to some of the world's most challenging problems through these funds:

CASL STEM Equipment Fund

Gifts will be used to upgrade, replace, and maintain laboratory equipment so students can benefit  from hands-on learning in modern research techniques utilizing high-tech equipment such as a confocal microscope, mass spectrometer, scanning electron microscope, an elemental analyzer, and a real-time polymerase chain reaction thermocycler. Access to high-tech scientific equipment significantly enhances students’ skill sets, making them more attractive to future employers and as  candidates for admission to professional and graduate schools. Access to modern equipment also  helps CASL attract and retain the highest caliber faculty and researchers in chemistry, biology,  physics, environmental sciences, and other scientific fields as well as provide a mechanism for attracting productive collaborations with industry and academic partners. The highest priorities for CASL STEM equipment replacement are a NMR and a Confocal Microscope which will cost $700,000 to replace while an annual equipment budget of $1M in expendable funds will ensure continued excellence in scientific education and research. Endowed gifts of $100K or more will support equipment purchases, maintenance, and upgrades in perpetuity.

CASL Arts & Humanities Equipment Fund

Equipment and research play an important role in all CASL disciplines in addition to the hard sciences. For example, CASL has labs for Media Production, Digital Arts, and Foreign Languages to name a few. Maintaining laboratories with top notch equipment as well as access to these resources for faculty from different disciplines requires ongoing funding to upgrade, replace, and maintain equipment. Disciplines throughout the college utilize specialized equipment to enhance students' skill sets and prepare them for their careers. Annual expendable funding of $500,000 or an endowment of  $2M will support these needs throughout the college and help ensure our equipment remains some of the best in the region and nation. 

Working with faculty mentors on research broadens students' perspectives and extends their learning beyond the traditional classroom, whether it is part of a faculty research team or an independent research project. Research also provides invaluable opportunities for students to improve their  interpersonal, practical, and cultural skills while gaining research experience in a variety of settings. Students may also have the opportunity as an undergraduate to participate in professional conferences and publish articles based on their research, providing them with a transformative experience and competitive advantage when applying for jobs or graduate school. Since many UM Dearborn students pay for their own education, they cannot afford to take time away from paid work to focus on research. Scholarships enable students to focus part or full-time on research during the academic year or summer (often continuing work they started during the prior academic year or  summer) while earning a scholarship to help pay for tuition for the coming year. Currently 3.5% of CASL students participate in faculty-mentored research. Scholarships of $2,500 per student will allow CASL to offer funding to enable students to participate in mentored research. The college's goal is to increase the percentage of student research participants to 10% in five years, resulting in the need to raise $500,000 in expendable funds annually. Endowed gifts of $50K or more will provide ongoing support in perpetuity.   

A gift to the Dean's Strategic Initiatives Fund is a powerful investment in the leadership and vision of the college. This fully expendable, pooled fund supports CASL's mission while providing the dean with flexibility to direct funding to the college's areas of greatest need and maximum impact. Funds will support a wide range of CASL priorities and provide a supportive environment where students can thrive. This fund can also fuel game-changing research in all areas of the natural sciences, social sciences, behavioral sciences, mathematics and statistics, and the humanities. Strategic Initiatives Funds also ensure the college's financial stability, allowing the college to quickly respond  to unexpected situations and support students. Gifts to this fund drive creativity and ensure that  CASL's strong legacy of providing outstanding education and research endures. The college's goal over the next five years is to raise $500,000 or $100,000/year to support strategic initiatives in the college. 

CASL Endowed Professorships

Endowed Professorships have long been recognized as both a hallmark of academic quality and a means by which to honor the university's most esteemed scholars, artists, and teachers while  creating a philanthropic legacy. They are instrumental in attracting and retaining eminent scholars in the field, who influence generations of students and enhance the reputation of the department and college. Due to the importance of the fields, CASL is seeking endowed professorships in Biological Sciences, Psychology, AI and Mathematics. Since these will be new faculty lines, gifts of $2.75M per line is needed to fully fund these important faculty positions.

CASL Faculty Research Support Fund

Our commitment to provide a world-class education requires world-class faculty. Faculty research  funding enables us to attract, retain, and recognize our superb faculty, key to the college's academic leadership and our students’ success. CASL faculty are tackling some of the biggest issues facing  our planet and attendance at professional conferences are essential to bring together scholars and practitioners to share advancements and knowledge. Gifts to this Fund will support faculty activities such as conference participation, publication fees, seed funding, professional memberships, or  access to a data set to name a few. An annual gift of $200K will support faculty requests throughout the college and endowed gifts of $250K - $1M will fund ongoing support for one or more faculty members in perpetuity.