Our Mission & Values
Designing the future of learning
The University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation is committed to bringing educational opportunities from the university to a global network of lifelong learners.
Through curricular innovation, tools for student success and equity, and innovative technologies, the center is building the future of education.
Our Vision
A future in which education connects and empowers learners everywhere to reach their full potential throughout their lives.
Our Mission & Work
To realize our vision, we make it our mission to collaborate across campus and around the world to create equitable, lifelong educational opportunities for learners everywhere.
We invite academic units and campus partners to work with us to further our shared goals and develop the university’s blended future.
Online, hybrid, and blended learning programs, including for-credit and non-credit offerings. CAI offers learning experience design, media design, learner support, market research, and portfolio planning services to create, launch, and support learning experiences.
Educational technology tools and platforms. CAI supports Atlas, which empowers people to chart their own academic pathways at the University of Michigan, and other tools that enhance student success for students and global learners.
Innovative technology. CAI works with partners to integrate innovative technological solutions into teaching and learning. This includes artificial intelligence tools and integrated extended reality experiences
Education and innovation policy: CAI offers policy development guidance and regulatory compliance support in service of learning innovation and student success programs and initiatives. CAI contributes expertise to campus efforts on digital privacy, vendor licensing, and analytics data governance.
Our Design Principles
Whether developing a software tool or online learning experience, our work is guided by core design principles.
Learner-centered.
Empathy and understanding of the needs of students and learners guide the solutions we develop.
Scalable.
We develop learning experiences that positively impact large communities of learners, students, and educators.
Research-driven.
Research and data shape and inform our understanding of complex issues, the solutions we develop, and the impact of our work.
Sustainable.
We are responsible stewards of the resources involved in creating and sustaining the learning experiences we develop.
Our Values
We embrace and strive to uphold the workplace values developed through the university’s culture journey: