Making the Most of Michigan

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Take advantage of your U-M experience with
ALA 171: Making the Most of Michigan.

This one-credit, seven-week course connects you to community, campus, and an array of resources. Not only that, but it’s held right where you live!

About ALA 171

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ALA 171 will help you build a dynamic toolkit, setting a foundation for your success at Michigan. Learn about your goals, who you are, what you believe in, and how that connects to your Michigan experience.

What You'll Gain

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What have students shared about their ALA 171 experiences?

Students Say...

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ALA 171 Facilitators Recognized
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ALA 171 Facilitators Recognized!

The dedicated, highly trained upper-level undergraduate facilitators of ALA 171 "Making the Most of Michigan" received the Quiet Influence Award at the Michigan Difference Student Leadership Awards ceremony on March 27, 2018.

Madisen Powell, Matt DeMaio, Christina Thomas, Jessica Toma, Joe Sharp and Monica Davis have facilitated ALA 171 "Making the Most of Michigan" for two semesters, helping 182 first year students set goals, meet new people, connect with campus resources, increase understanding of social identities, build leadership skills across differences, and demonstrate their learning in MPortfolios.  An ALA 171 student's comment attests to the facilitators' influence:  "I had a great experience in ALA 171. I learned a lot about the University that I don't think I would have ever known had I not taken the class. I also talked about topics that normally I wouldn't have, which was a good experience. I think the class has fueled me to become more involved at the university."

The facilitators used their six facilitation skills beyond ALA 171, in student organizations such as the Black Undergraduate Medical Association (BUMA), Girl Up, and M-STEM (Science), and in numerous research projects and labs.