University of Michigan

Steve Crompton, University of Michigan-Flint

Steve designed a marketing plan for connecting with student groups and a strategy for promoting student philanthropy at UM-Flint.

“The Development Summer Internship program instilled the need for excellence in communication and a need to relentlessly strive for higher standards. I practice these values at my job every day as I create community, inspire and motivate my staff, and strive for excellence. Forever, Go Blue!”

—Steve Crompton, Hillstone

Natalie Wowk, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Natalie researched how botanical gardens around the country raise funds for their children's gardens and then drafted recommendations on how the U-M could raise funds for its own new Children's Garden.

“I picked up valuable skills in the D-SIP program that helped me identify and pursue funding for my Peace Corps projects.”

—Natalie Wowk, D-SIP ’07 Peace Corps Volunteer, Namibia, Africa

Kelly Reinhardt, Alumni Association

Kelly helped research and design a new awards program honoring Michigan alumni for their outstanding achievements.

“When I first started the internship program, I never imagined that at the end of the summer I would be offered a full-time position as a major gifts officer… The internship taught me how to understand and navigate professional situations—a critical set of skills in any field.”

—Kelly Reinhardt, Assistant Director of Major Gifts, U-M Office of University Development

Matt Rodriguez
School of Music, Theatre and Dance

Matt helped the School strengthen relationships with alumni and researched critical data that enabled fundraisers to solicit gifts from its graduates.

Jessica Brierly-Snowden
Office of University Development, Communications and Donor Relations

Jessica surveyed the various ways of giving to the University and then developed print and electronic “ways of giving” tools for U-M development officers and donors.

Zachary Risk, University of Michigan-Flint

Zack helped create the Capital Campaign Newsletter for UM-Flint donors, prospects and campaign volunteers.

“During my first year at Michigan State’s College of Law I organized a group of students to create a criminal law clinic on campus—a program unique to the state. By preparing me to become a leader in my community through philanthropy, D-SIP inspired me to organize and direct these efforts.”

—Zachary Risk, Law Student, Michigan State College of Law

Amy Pfaehler, University of Michigan Health System, Department of Urology

Amy helped plan and coordinate the U-M Men’s Fantasy Football Experience, a two-day event championed by Coach Lloyd Carr that benefits the “Men of Michigan” Prostate Cancer Research Fund.

“D-SIP was an amazing experience that prepared me for fundraising in almost any setting... At my office on Capitol Hill I interact with our nation’s lawmakers and leaders on a daily basis, and have realized that fundraisers, especially in times of economic hardship, are always in demand across all industries.”

—Amy Pfaehler, Deputy Mid-Atlantic Finance Director, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Patrick Moore, Law School

Patrick was involved in planning the Law School's sesquicentennial celebration, and also worked with the School's Annual Giving team to meet their reunion fundraising goals.

Layne Scherer, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning

Layne identified major gift prospects and donors for the College and developed recommendations on how to cultivate and solicit them.

“The D-SIP program gave me a strong sense of the core principles of philanthropy and helped me understand the basics about each branch of the development profession. It has been a strong foundation for building my career.”

—Layne Scherer, Development Coordinator, Defenders of Wildlife

Ben Mercure, Office of University Development, Office of Gift Planning

Ben studied U-M bequest donors and made recommendations to the University’s Gift Planning staff on how to improve their marketing and cultivation of new bequests.

Weston Bruner, Office of University Development, Prospect Management and Research

Weston worked with major gift officers and representatives from across the University to improve the quality of key prospect information in the University’s research database.

“This program taught me about far more than development. I learned how to represent an organization, how to promote change from within, and how to understand the needs of colleagues all over the institution. I can thank this program for helping give me the skills and knowledge I needed to get a great job in a tough economy.”

— Weston Bruner, Research Analyst, U-M Office of University Development

Yoon Choi, School of Nursing

Yoon created a file management system and then matched the information from her system with a University-wide donor database to summarize the research on Nursing donors.

Sophia Luong, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Sophia created a cultivation strategy for the Ross School’s recent graduates and a plan for increasing their engagement.

“My project was focused on building a tradition of engaging and giving among students and recent graduates. The success of this project, along with the leadership and management skills I gained through the D-SIP program, led me to my current position at the Ross School of Business.”

—Sophia Luong, Assistant Director for Recent Graduate Programs, U-M Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Sabrina Shingwani, College of Engineering

Sabrina helped create a Student Ambassador Program for the College and also explored options for providing participants with course credit.

“I’m grateful for the transferable skills, the passion for teaching, and the value for development that D-SIP ignited in me, and I’m looking forward to applying all that I learned to my future as a Teach for America elementary school teacher in Brooklyn!”

—Sabrina Shingwani, Teach For America, Brooklyn, New York

Michelle Zellers, U-M Health System, Department of Surgery

Michelle created and published a series of Department communications. She also identified sources for foundation and corporate funding and prepared grant applications.

Mark Vinckier, School of Dentistry

Mark researched companies with actual or potential connections to U-M and drafted proposals soliciting their support.