February 3, 2026

Michigan's 15 public universities are pleased to share the following news items with you. Stewardship is a monthly update on various activities our universities are engaged in that enrich their communities, regions, and the state of Michigan.

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MASU is proud to release its new economic impact report, Economic and Fiscal Impact of the State Universities of Michigan. The report finds that in 2024, Michigan’s 15 public universities generated nearly $45 billion in annual net economic activity, supported more than 129,000 jobs, and delivered a 28:1 return on public investment. Here are a news release and one-page summary of the report, along with a commentary by MASU CEO Dan Hurley, Michigan Public Universities Deliver a Powerful Economic Impact. See related stories below under Economic Development - Local Partnerships.

Economic Development – Research, Tech Transfer, & Innovation

University of Michigan opens brain-computer interface clinic in Ann Arbor

MLive (Jan. 6)

 

Scientists Create Robots Smaller Than a Grain of Sand [UM]

The Wall Street Journal (Jan. 8)

 

Oakland University Team Named SAS Hackathon 2025 Champions, Wins Two Global Awards

Patch (Jan. 15)

 

UM to partially fund faculty research impacted by federal cuts [MSU, UM-D, UM-F]

The Detroit News (Jan. 26)

 

Economic Development – Local Partnerships

Michigan universities tout $45B economic impact, push legislature for more funding

Lansing State Journal (Jan. 13)

 

Michigan public universities generate $45B in economic activity, support 129,000 jobs

Crain’s Detroit Business (Jan. 13)

 

State universities in Michigan yield high return on state investments, according to new report

Michigan Advance (Jan. 14)

 

MSU business council aims to beef up hands-on experiences, AI training for students

Crain’s Business Detroit (Jan. 21)

 

Kalamazoo Forward Ventures brings its inaugural $100K student pitch competition to WMU

WMU News (Jan. 29)

 

Environmental & Agricultural Sustainability

Lansing could get a "bubble barrier" to clean Grand River plastic pollution—the first in the U.S. [GVSU, MSU]

WKAR TV (Jan. 5)

 

Could balsam fir oil combat winter ticks devastating Michigan’s moose? [MTU]

MLive (Jan. 13)

 

Grad student looks for a safer way to solve fishy mysteries [CMU]

CMU News (Jan. 26)

 

Health Care

A new medical device could help diagnose infants with vestibular issues [UM-D]

UM-Dearborn Reporter (Jan. 26)

 

K-12 Outreach

Michigan Tech students begin a 72-hour robot-building challenge [MTU]

WBUP TV (Jan. 12)

 

Report: Michigan churns through teachers at unsustainable rate [MSU]

Bridge (Jan. 15)

 

Five universities collaborate to address Michigan teacher shortage [CMU, EMU, MSU, NMU, WMU]

Bridge (Jan. 22)

 

Five Michigan universities join program to improve statewide teacher retention [CMU, EMU, MSU, NMU, WMU]

CBS News (Jan. 26)

 

Opinion | Don’t be fooled: The school smartphone bill won’t do much [UM-D]

Bridge (Jan. 28)

 

Public Health, Safety, & Security

UM-Flint officer’s body camera footage of snow rescue revealed

WJRT TV (Jan. 29)

 

Civic Engagement and Education 

Muskegon leaders to address Great Lakes climate change Jan. 22 [GVSU]

MLive (Jan. 20)

 

Central Focus: CMU joins Volcker Alliance as a Next Gen partner

WCMU FM (Jan. 21)

 

EMU recognizes MLK Jr. Day with keynote speaker and luncheon celebration

The Eastern Echo (Jan. 23)

 

Culture & Placemaking

Students respond to Ypsi history through art in “Ypsilanti Future History” project [EMU]

Concentrate (Jan. 27)

 

OU grad student leading a new generation through an ancient culture

The Oakland Press (Jan. 28)

 

Student & Faculty Service

U of M-Flint students make blankets to help those in need battle the cold

WSMH TV (Jan. 19)

 

Faculty Expertise

Homicides continue to fall in Detroit as city mirrors national trend on violent crime [WSU]

AP (Jan. 7)

 

How to Prevent Aging Parents and Relatives From Making Financial Mistakes [WSU]

The New York Times (Jan. 18)