A Year in Review

The Power of Storytelling 

A year of stories that connected our contributions, clarified our direction, and strengthened our shared purpose.

As a school rooted in librarianship, we understand that stories are not just told. They are collected, preserved, and shared to expand access, deepen understanding, and serve the public good. That same approach shapes how we articulate our work, ensuring it is relevant outside our classrooms and extends into the world.

It also informs how we prepare our students. Not only to engage with information, but to interpret it, communicate it, and apply it in ways that matter. More than simply preparing for what comes next, they are learning to define the role they will play in the stories they go on to write. 

Over the past year, this newsletter has become one of the ways we bring the UMSI story to life. What began as an internal communications innovation within the ADAA office has grown into a platform for elevating thought leadership, fostering connection, and building advocacy for the efforts advancing the school. It highlights the excellence of our staff, students, and instructors while reinforcing a shared commitment to reimagining high-quality education and aligning around what it takes to deliver it.

Across twelve editions, we have published 46 original stories and featured 59 faculty and staff colleagues. These stories span personal reflection, moments of celebration, emerging innovations, and the realities of teaching and learning in practice. Together, they form a cohesive narrative of how the school is educating, adapting, and leading amid constant change.

That breadth mirrors the work itself. From experiential learning and alternative credentials to digital accessibility, academic integrity, and applied AI, these stories capture how UMSI is meeting the demands of a rapidly shifting field while actively influencing what comes next.

While industry benchmarks for internal communications often fall below 50% open rates, we have sustained engagement at or above 88% each month, with strong click-through and continued responses. That consistency signals trust in the content and confidence in its value. The true significance, however, extends past performance metrics.

This publication has become a through line for visibility across a decentralized academic environment, connecting individual contributions to broader priorities while preserving their complexity. It also creates space for reflection, transparency, and even a bit of humor, as the school’s trajectory continues to unfold.

At UMSI, we know that information is transformative. But its true power is realized when meaning is made visible. When people see how their contributions connect to a larger purpose, alignment strengthens and progress accelerates. In that momentum, we find both our responsibility and our opportunity. Not only to respond to change, but to help define what comes next.

As a public institution, that responsibility extends well beyond the confines of campus. The University of Michigan was built on the belief that knowledge belongs to everyone and that a great university is measured by its service to society. We carry that legacy forward by ensuring our contributions are not only rigorous, but accessible, relevant, and grounded in real-world impact, fostering a more informed, equitable, and connected future.

As we enter our second year, our charge is to deepen that impact. To further connect our work, extend its reach, and continue shaping a narrative that reflects both the ambition and the values of this institution.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, insight, and expertise to this effort. The next year of stories begins now.

To share yours, contact: nikkisun@umich.edu.