ASPIRE Program

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2025

ASPIRE welcomes current sophomores and juniors from Spelman and Morehouse Colleges with a demonstrated interest in exploring questions related to social policy. Strong candidates will have completed at least one introductory statistics class and engaged with social science research through their academic curriculum and/or a research assistantship.

To apply, send a resume and a cover letter that explains your interest in and/or prior experience conducting applied social science research to youthpolicylab@umich.edu by March 17, 2025. Please include ASPIRE in the subject heading.

2024 ASPIRE Students and Mentors

ASPIRE (Applied Social Policy Internship and Research Experience) is an eight-week summer program run by the Youth Policy Lab at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Institute for Social Research to help rising college juniors and seniors from Spelman and Morehouse College to advance their quantitative social science research skills, gain a greater understanding about what it would be like to pursue a career in public policy research, and help establish connections to the University of Michigan.

This program will provide hands-on experience in applied quantitative social science research. Students will gain an understanding of the types of applied questions social scientists pursue, the methods researchers use to answer these questions, and the ways in which research can influence policy, improve the delivery of services and, ultimately, improve the lives of people. Participants will:

Delve into one of YPL’s core policy areas (early childhood education, maternal and infant health, adolescent mental health, career technical education, or workforce development). Execute a guided student project with support from UM faculty/staff.
Attend weekly professional workshops intended to align with and support student projects.
Hear presentations from UM faculty and staff about careers in social sciences.
Participate in meetings with YPL partners such as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or the Michigan Department of Education with YPL staff.
Socialize with YPL staff and other undergraduate students on campus for the summer

ASPIRE News Stories:

Expand the accordion menu below to learn more about the previous ASPIRE participants, their presentations, and their thoughts about the program.

ASPIRE Photos:

2023 ASPIRE Program

Keyla Anderson

Research Question: Do school discipline perceptions in Detroit public schools vary by suspensions & contact with the criminal legal system?

Theo Burden

Research Question: How does adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) contribute to barriers of mental health services for students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD)?

Aleasa Parker

Research Question: What are the marital status and ages of mothers who have three or more home visits for Maternal and Infant Health Program?

Lexi Turner

Research Questions:

Larger Policy Question: How can public school districts foster better environments that promote healthy identity formation?
Targeted Research Question: How do students self reported mental health challenges relate to their peer perceptions?