In a significant milestone for academic diversity and institutional transformation, the University of Michigan’s National Center for Institutional Diversity is charting a new path forward. This initiative, which has been at the forefront of interdisciplinary scholarship and community engagement for over 20 years, is now set to continue its mission under a new banner.
Welcome to the Phillip J. Bowman Center for Scholarship to Practice, a transformation that acknowledges the substantial contributions of Dr. Phillip J. Bowman. A professor emeritus of education and an alumnus of the Rackham Graduate School, Dr. Bowman was the founding director of the center from 2006 to 2013. His research is pivotal in the areas of higher education, racial and ethnic diversity, public policy, workforce inequalities, urban family poverty, health disparities, and social justice.
Dr. Bowman’s foundational belief—that research not only deepens our understanding of societal systems but also empowers us to transform them—continues to guide the center’s efforts.
An ecosystem for advancing knowledge
The Bowman Center serves as a dynamic environment that promotes research, facilitates partnerships, and bridges academia with actionable practice. Its initiatives embrace scholars from different generations and fields, providing a supportive network for research that addresses today’s societal challenges.
Through various programs, including faculty research networks and fellowships for both faculty and students, the center creates an interwoven fabric of academic inquiry that informs institutional practices. This holistic approach is further exemplified by initiatives like the Inclusive History Project and CASCaDE, which focus on historical research and equipping agents of change, respectively.
The open-access CASCaDE toolkit serves as a practical resource, translating research findings into tools that advance equity in higher education. Furthermore, the Bowman Center Scholars network provides a global stage for diversity scholars to thrive through shared academic and social connections.
The center’s endeavors consistently emphasize the pursuit of knowledge that is both academically rigorous and socially relevant.
Fostering academic collaboration
Central to the Bowman Center’s mission is the collaboration between faculty and students. Academics from various disciplines are encouraged to engage with the center, leading projects, mentoring students, and participating in broader dialogues that extend beyond the university setting.
Students play a pivotal role, actively participating in faculty-led research and serving as fellows or interns. These roles allow them to delve into critical institutional and societal questions, with opportunities like the Graduate Anti-Racism Research Grant—currently open for applications until March 13—highlighting the center’s commitment to fostering original anti-racism scholarship.
Future outlook
The evolution into the Phillip J. Bowman Center for Scholarship to Practice underscores a renewed focus on bridging research with practical application, aligned with the university’s Life-Changing Education initiative. Through fellowships, grants, and partnerships, the center aims to create an educational atmosphere that nurtures intellectual growth and connects academic endeavors with real-world impact.
This transformation continues the center’s enduring mission—to be a gathering place for scholars, a generator of ideas, and a catalyst for translating research into meaningful societal change.
— Elizabeth R. Cole serves as the director of the Phillip J. Bowman Center for Scholarship to Practice and is a University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor at the University of Michigan. Her interdisciplinary work in women’s studies and psychology explores intersectionality, political attitudes, activism, and identity development among diverse populations. She has held various leadership roles within the university and served as president of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.
