Apply for U-M’s optiMize moMentum Fellowship by April 30! Open to HFC students

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the optiMize moMentum Fellowship, a program that provides prospective transfer students – including those from HFC – an opportunity to work on social impact projects and to connect them with resources at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Students participating in this program will be awarded a $500 stipend.

“We're so excited for this cohort of students, celebrating optiMize's 10th year. In honor of one decade as an organization, we're hoping for 100 fellows,” said Paige Baker, optiMize Community Partnerships Manager.

Apply today for the optiMize moMentum Fellowship

Led by U-M student leaders who transferred from community colleges – in partnership with all of Michigan’s 28 community colleges – this year’s optiMize moMentum Fellowship will occur May 16-20.

• Monday, May 16, will be the first day of the fellowship, which will be entirely virtual, with students representing community colleges across the state.
• Tuesday, May 17, is a second virtual day for students who cannot travel to one of the partner campuses.
• Wednesday, May 18, through Friday, May 20, we will be hosting in-person engagement opportunities. So far, the locations include HFC and Grand Rapids Community College.
• The in-person days are dependent upon “critical mass” applications that allow for the most enriching experience.
• Students are only required to attend two out of the five days.

What the optiMize moMentum Fellowship offers

Throughout this program, you will:

• Share your passions with the optiMize community.
• Meet U-M student leaders who previously transferred from a community college, including HFC.
• Engage in a workshop with current optiMize fellows at U-M.
• Learn how to turn your ideas into tangible projects (or how to further develop an existing project).
• Participate in workshops hosted by U-M campus partners such as the Newnan Academic Advising Center, the Opportunity Hub, the Office of New Student Programs, and the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives.
• Receive transfer support from the U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts LSA Student Recruitment and Transfer Student Center.
• Learn what it is like to be a student at U-M and finding your own supportive community while you're here.

Of the optiMize community, 30% is composed of transfer students. Its aim is to tailor every opportunity to transfers students' specific needs. It is a student-led organization that helps students turn ideas into impact, in passionate pursuit of a more just and sustainable future. Within this supportive environment, students build self-determined projects, develop their skills as change-makers, and find help from mentors and peers. optiMize says: Our mission is to help everyone we meet ask themselves, "Why not me?"

Apply by April 30

Applications are accepted through Saturday, April 30. HFC students have already applied. Join them!

There will also be an opportunity for an additional $500 (for a total of $1,000) if you attend additional workshops throughout the summer.

optiMize has helped a number of HFC students over the years, several of whom were recipients of the Momentum Fellowship. This includes HFC alumna Keirra Scott, who earned her bachelor’s degree in general studies from U-M and is currently working on her MBA at U-M’s Ross School of Business.

For questions or more information, contact Baker at paigebak@umich.edu.