Life-Changing Education Annual Report highlights the campus-wide activities and introduces the initiative's next phase

Life-Changing Education is a two-year, university-wide exploration of how learning changes lives—and how the University of Michigan can make that change more intentional, joyful, and widely shared. As one of the five impact areas within Look to Michigan, LCE began the 2025–2026 Theme Year with a simple idea: rather than argue for the value of the education U-M makes possible, demonstrate it. LCE does this by supporting innovative ideas, convening people through various programs, and building evidence so the results speak for themselves. 

Over this past year, LCE developed programming, partnerships, funding mechanisms, and engagement opportunities aligned with the four ways education changes lives: Open Inquiry, Expanding Access, Sharing Scholarship, and Campus of the Future. LCE’s first year included the implementation of Talking Maize & Blue, campus-wide programming in support of open inquiry and civil discourse, Campus of the Future Month, the Student Idea Showcase, community engagement activities, the launch of ED Talks, and the inaugural Life-Changing Education Grants Program. Together, these activities created multiple entry points for faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners to participate in LCE-aligned work. The sections that follow document the major initiatives, partnerships, and activities that defined the foundational Year of Life-Changing Education. Analysis of outcomes and implications for future work is addressed in later sections.

Year 1 involved testing ideas, building relationships, and understanding where LCE adds value. In Year 2, the emphasis shifts toward a smaller number of LCE-led initiatives alongside strategic partnerships and broader public engagement—all while learning from Year 1 to better align audiences, partners, and goals.