Nominations sought for leadership in international education award

The Office of the President is seeking nominations for the 2025 President’s Award for Leadership in International Education, an award program recognizing the extraordinary efforts of faculty and staff who advance international education for U-M students. Nominees should demonstrate the following: sustained commitment and dedication to international education for U-M students, specific accomplishments in U-M international education, and leadership in the field of international education, either on campus or beyond. The nominating deadline is Feb. 13, 2026. Submit a nomination or get more information.

U-M community invited to ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ event Dec. 3

Faculty, staff and students are invited to join “A Breath of Fresh Air,” a unique and energizing nature break Dec. 3. This event focuses on the positive effects of being in nature on a person’s social and emotional well-being. Participants will learn how to practice mindful attention and appreciation for the natural environment, refresh energy and reduce stress by being outside, and use the Nature Rx resources in the Michigan App to find nearby nature spots for taking breaks, restoring, and for mental and physical health. Sessions include a variety of activities and options to support the nature experience. Participants will learn how to appreciate nature in all its forms; this session will be held rain, snow or shine. To attend the “Breath of Fresh Air” session from noon-12:45 p.m. Dec. 3, participants must complete the required registration form. The group will meet on North Campus near the Lurie Carillon (Robert H. Lurie Bell Tower) and the College of Engineering.

Program on Intergroup Relations officially departs Galleria Building

For the final time, the Program on Intergroup Relations has turned off the lights in the Galleria Building. IGR is now on the way to its first stop in a previously-announced move back to campus. After decades at the iconic South University Avenue mall, IGR staff, faculty and students have packed up offices, a library and its beloved living room. Crates filled with books, supplies and cherished community art that have lined the second floor’s central hallway are headed to one of two places — short-term storage or IGR’s interim location in the Michigan League Underground. When the move is fully complete in 2026, IGR will be located in the North University Building. While awaiting permanent space there, IGR is opening these temporary administrative offices in the League to ensure there is always a place to go if anyone needs to come to IGR. During the active phase of this first move, from Nov. 19-30, staff will work from other locations and can be reached by email and phone. By Dec. 1, IGR’s temporary location in Michigan League B6 will officially open for staff workspaces. Throughout the transition, courses will not be impacted, and co-curricular activities that would normally be held at the IGR office will take place in nearby spaces with the support of LSA Facilities and campus partners. Visit igr.umich.edu/move for more information.

U-M study: Fighting poverty may require cultural wisdom, not just cash

Most poverty-fighting efforts focus on meeting basic material needs, such as food and shelter. But this overlooks the psychological and cultural factors that shape how people take action in their lives. U-M researchers found that psychosocial programs designed to support women’s agency in Niger, West Africa, were effective in promoting women’s economic empowerment when grounded in local values — such as social harmony, respectfulness and collective progress — but not a Western-style program grounded in individual ambition. The new study highlights how culturally attuned approaches to empowerment can offer a powerful pathway for reducing global poverty. The research, published in the latest issue of PNAS, introduces a “culturally wise” approach: psychosocial programs that honor diverse worldviews and community values. “Fighting poverty may require cultural wisdom, not just cash,” said study lead author Catherine Thomas, assistant professor of psychology and organizational studies in LSA.

Economic forecast: Growth expected sooner for U.S. and later for Michigan

The U.S. economy is expected to modestly grow over the next several quarters despite concerns about significant data release delays, the effects of tariffs, rising unemployment and the sustainability of the current fiscal path of the country. However, Michigan’s economy has hit a growth pause that isn’t expected to resume until 2027. Overall, a mix of confidence, caution and some ambiguity highlight the latest state and national economic outlooks, released Nov. 20 by U-M economists. Additional uncertainty creeps into the forecasts, as the just-ended government shutdown all but stopped the flow of government data the economists rely on for their assessments. Researchers say in their report “an already complicated economy feels more like reading tea leaves this time,” as they relied more heavily on alternative data sources and analyses.

— Compiled by Jeff Bleiler, The University Record