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Detroit Outreach

Detroit and Central Michigan University

Lifting communities through education and partnership.

The CMU Detroit Office is a multi-engagement space dedicated to providing opportunities for the community to connect.  

A division of the President’s Office, our professional development opportunities help create a well-educated workforce equipped with upgraded skills. 

More than 46,000 CMU alumni currently live and work in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, adding their expertise to invigorate southeastern Michigan.

About 30% of current CMU on-campus students come from southeast Michigan, and more than 2,400 students are learning new skills through our local centers and online.

Through outreach with local schools and businesses, we continue to deepen our partnership by making a CMU degree, whether on campus, locally or online, a reachable goal for many Detroiters. And our alumni will continue to take their place among the leaders in southeastern Michigan. We look forward to:

  • Providing opportunities for current CMU students to engage with and encourage K-12 students in metro Detroit to continue their education.
  • Fostering relationships with businesses that have CMU alumni, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Quicken Loans, Ford, DTE Energy and Meridian Health.
  • Partnering with community organizations to increase civic contributions and volunteer opportunities.
  • Continuing to showcase and innovate student initiatives like the Fashion Future exhibition. 

CMU Detroit Office Staff

Rhonda Welsh 
Executive Director for Detroit Outreach 

C. Denise Gerdes 
Administrative Director for Detroit Outreach