Practical Community Learning Project

Students working in communities

The Practical Community Learning Project (PCLP) matches undergraduate and graduate Ford School students and community partners for a semester-long, policy-based, two credit independent study project.  Projects provide opportunities for dialogue, research and service through conducting program evaluations, policy research, grant writing, and other activities as jointly agreed upon with their community partners. View all previous projects. 

Interested in working on a project over the summer? Consider a PCLP fellowship, paid opportunities for Ford School undergraduate students to work with community partners in and around Detroit. 

Spring 2023 PCLP Fellowship

This spring, PCLP fellows are working on campaign finance policy in collaboration with State Representative Dylan Wegela. Learn more about the project here

PCLP projects and fellowships provide students with opportunities for dialogue, research, and service in their selected community. Students may conduct program evaluation, policy research, grant writing, and other activities as jointly agreed upon with their community partners. Please stay tuned to P3E news for future announcements. If you are interested in learning more, contact Community Engagement Manager Deandré J. Calvert at calvertd@umich.edu. 

Michael Randall, PCLP Community Partner AHA
Community Partner

Michael Randall

Community Impact Director, American Heart Association (AHA)
Student Project: AHA Tobacco in School Elimination
“The partnership with the Ford School is invaluable to our efforts to ensure public schools in Michigan are supporting students suffering from tobacco and vaping addiction. The students brought a fresh perspective to our work and have been essential to our strategy as it relates to engaging schools and providing policy recommendations. I look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.”
Learn more about our community partners
Featured video

PCLP & Detroit Hives: An engaged learning project in Detroit

Feb 18, 2020| 02:34
The Practical Community Learning Project (PCLP) matches undergraduate and graduate Ford students and community partners for a semester-long...
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Featured video from PCLP & Detroit Hives: An engaged learning project in Detroit
"PCLP provided valuable experience working with Detroit Action, where I learned about the importance of teamwork, the impact of legislation, and how quickly the political landscape can change. I truly enjoyed my experience and would recommend the program to any incoming students interested in a hands-on experience with community action and social change."
PCLP student Sarah Niemann

Sarah Niemann (BA '22)

Learn more about this PCLP project here.
Protest in Detroit
Peace and Justice in Detroit

Detroit police and community relations

Students partnered with Peace and Justice in Detroit to support the organization’s grassroots efforts to improve police and community relations in the City of Detroit.
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Food Security PCLP project
Michigan Food Security Council

Michigan Food Security Council research project

Students conducted an environmental scan of food assistance and food security policies.
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PCLP presentation
And more

See all projects

View more about previous projects from the Practical Community Learning Project.
Read more