Government Relations

  1. February 14, 2024

    Whitmer recommends 2.5% increase for higher ed in FY ’25

    Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is recommending a 2.5% increase in funding for each of the state’s 15 public universities — including the three U-M campuses — for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

  2. February 8, 2023

    Whitmer’s FY ’24 budget includes 4% more for universities

    The state’s public universities — including the three U-M campuses — would receive an across-the-board 4% increase in state dollars for the next fiscal year under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal.

  3. January 31, 2022

    U-M’s United Way campaign raises more than $1.18 million

    The 2021 U-M United Way employee giving campaign announced it raised more than $1.18 million during its campaign that ended Dec. 31.

  4. January 20, 2021

    Kristina Ko named director of U-M’s office in Washington, D.C.

    Kristina Ko has been appointed executive director of federal relations for U-M’s Washington, D.C., office, which will represent the interests of the offices of Government Relations and Research.

  5. January 19, 2021

    U-M’s United Way campaign raises more than $1.2 million

    U-M’s 2020 United Way employee giving campaign has surpassed its stated goal and raised more than $1.2 million thanks to the generosity of faculty, staff and retirees.

  6. December 18, 2020

    Chris Kolb named vice president for government relations

    Chris Kolb, who currently serves as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s state budget director, has been appointed vice president for government relations at U-M, effective Jan. 19.

  7. August 6, 2020

    Search begins for vice president for government relations

    President Mark Schlissel has appointed an eight-member advisory committee to assist in the search process for a successor to Cynthia H. Wilbanks, who will retire as vice president for government relations.

  8. July 15, 2020

    VP for Government Relations Cynthia Wilbanks announces year-end retirement

    Cynthia H. Wilbanks, who has served as U-M’s vice president for government relations and directed its relationships at the local, state and federal levels for 22 years, will retire at year’s end.

  9. January 27, 2020

    Debate Steering Committee will guide U-M’s hosting efforts

    Planning for the presidential debate that will be staged at U-M in October is well underway, with the Debate Steering Committee providing overall guidance for a long list of tasks and events being considered.

  10. May 6, 2019

    20th Road Scholars tour aims to connect U-M to state’s communities

    Twenty-nine U-M faculty and staff members are on a weeklong trip across Michigan, to learn more about various aspects of the state as part of the 20th Michigan Road Scholars tour.