The History of M-People

The Employee Education and GED program, a collaborative program between the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Public Schools began in 1975. The first year was impressive with 150 employees enrolled in eight classes. Participants came mainly from Housing and Building Services with significant numbers also from Laundry Services and the Hospital. At least 603 students were enrolled between 1975 and 1992, some for multiple years.

Over the next fifteen years, the program continued to produce GED graduates despite a drop in enrollment. Enrollment declined when the University began hiring employees with higher levels of education and continued its decline when department administration began to oppose releasing employees from work time to attend classes.

In 1993, upon Nathan Norman’s arrival as the new Director of Building Services, he revitalized the program by actively promoting its importance among supervisors and encouraging participation with employees. Building Services began to provide classrooms, support services and funding.

Since 1993, the GED program has experienced a steady enrollment of about 25 students each year. In 2001, eight students graduated from the program. Classes are held two days per week with each individual class scheduled for two hours. Three separate classes are offered each semester including one called “College Prep”, designed to familiarize students with the community college program and help them with their entrance exams. Many of the graduates have pursued further education at Washtenaw Community College and a variety of trade and professional schools.

We are pleased to report that earlier this year, the name of this important program has been changed… from Building Services GED/Basic Skills program to M-People: Building Services Employee Development and Diversity Program. The goal of M-People is to develop and retain a highly productive, harmonious and multi-cultural workforce.

Registration is now open for the fall semester. For more information about the M-People Program, please contact either David Judge at 764-0521 or Paul Pritzlaff at 963-2533.

~ David Judge
Plant Building Services