Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor sparkled on Thursday, September 8 as the 2022-23 CEW+ Scholar Community gathered for the first time. The Scholar Community Soiree, held at the Center and in the plaza, welcomed the incoming cohort of scholars and fellows and kicked off the new academic year. 

The gathering featured remarks from CEW+ Director Tiffany Marra, and Erin Lane, who coordinates the scholarship and fellowship application and selection processes. Tiffany welcomed the students and invited them to consider CEW+ a space to bring their whole selves. The scholar community includes students going through experiences that are nontraditional at U-M, and these same differences are strengths in the eyes of CEW+ – caregiving, returning to school, and bringing the richness of life experiences to the classroom.   

Doreen Murasky, CEW+ Special Programs Manager who has led scholarship and scholar community programming for the past two decades, led the attendees in a mindfulness exercise, bringing focus to their time together. The students shared a meal, toured the Center, and networked across fields of study and degree levels. CEW+ is thrilled to connect with the scholars and fellows and looks forward to celebrating them this year.