JMC News: Madison Launches a New Course on Michigan's Future

If you are involved with economic development and related issues as highlighted in this article, please read below and let us know about your career and expertise.

Twelve of Madison’s brightest students are working to improve Michigan’s future.  They were selected by Professor Bryan Ritchie to participate in an undergraduate research seminar entitled “Michigan’s Future: Innovation, entrepreneurialism, and high technology job growth.”  The course, which began in January, is focused on understanding, evaluating, and creating economic policy for the state of Michigan. This is an extremely unique opportunity. The State's Department of Labor and Economic Growth (David Hollister), the Office for Research and Graduate Studies at MSU, and James Madison College, are collaborating to create the research seminar in which students will evaluate current economic policy with respect to skills formation, technological development and entrepreneurialism, compare those policies to similar policies in developing countries (particularly the fast-growing economy of Singapore) and then create new policy proposals specifically focused on generating demand for job and business growth. These proposals will then be delivered to policy makers.  Assisting the students and Professor Ritchie are Madison Professors Louise Jezierski and Ross Emmett.  Visit this link to see the syllabus: http://jmc.msu.edu/archive/mc399.pdf

Professor Ritchie believes James Madison College is uniquely positioned to make a difference for public policy in Michigan.  Madison has established itself as a leader in public affairs.  The college’s multi-disciplinary approach allows for input from various disciplines and focuses on practical solutions to complex problems.  In addition, Madison’s undergraduate students are tomorrow’s leaders and carry a credibility and non-partisanship that can speak to multiple stakeholders.  The idea is to become an undergraduate research think-tank that creates innovative proposals for new policy prescriptions.  James Madison College sees the potential for future courses that tackle other pressing questions for public policy in the state and beyond.

In addition, many Madison alumni are involved in related careers.  Robert Trezise, Jr. (JMCD ’89) was just appointed the Director of the Economic Development Corporation for the City of Lansing.  Jeff Williams (IR ’94) is a Board member and Chairperson of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation.  R. Thomas Homan (Soc Ec ’81) is City Manager of Delaware, Ohio and Jay Ross (Soc Ec ’82) is Director of Cuyahoga County Central Services in Cleveland, Ohio.

We believe other Madison graduates may also be able to assist.  We would like to know your expertise and interest in public policy questions like those being asked in “Michigan’s Future: Innovation, entrepreneurialism, and high technology job growth.”  Please respond to this email to share your knowledge and experience.

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