The second female president in the university’s history would face numerous challenges, from data center opposition to searching for a new athletic director to navigating a tricky relationship with the federal government.
Isabel Lohman
Isabel Lohman reports on early childhood, K-12 and higher education for Bridge Michigan, tracking how policies made in Lansing affect students and educators. She has closely reported on literacy, absenteeism and special education. Isabel was a finalist for the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit's 2026 Young Journalist of the Year award. Before joining Bridge, she covered children's issues for the Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee, reporting on COVID-19 in schools and communities coping with gun violence.
Isabel grew up outside of Chicago and has a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. She moved to Ann Arbor in 2022.
Posted inTalent & Education
A renewed push to ban seclusion, reduce restraint in Michigan schools
Michigan students were secluded or restrained nearly 18,000 times during the 2024-2025 school year. Advocates say more staff training and an emphasis on prevention would help students.
Posted inMichigan Government, Talent & Education
Michigan is spending $150M on one-time ‘educator’ bonuses. Here’s how it works
Michigan starting teacher pay is near the bottom while average teacher pay is middle of the pack. One lawmaker says the bonuses can help offset rising costs.
Posted inMichigan Government, Talent & Education
Here’s how Michigan voted on school millages, other tax increase proposals
There were nearly 900 proposals on the ballot statewide during Tuesday’s primary. See how your local community voted.
Posted inTalent & Education
Oakland County schools seek new tax to bypass funding limits. Some cry foul
Should schools get more money? Voters in Oakland County are deciding whether it’s worth raising taxes to give local districts more money.
Posted inTalent & Education
Whitmer makes ‘science of reading’ training mandatory for Michigan teachers
As Michigan struggles with low literacy test scores, leaders are putting in a new training requirement for elementary teachers.
Posted inTalent & Education
Whitmer signs education budget: What to know about college affordability
Michigan’s education budget includes a new dual enrollment effort that could help students save money on college costs.
Posted inTalent & Education
How 4-year-olds are giving Michigan districts an incentive to build, expand
As Michigan pushes for pre-K expansion, schools build new early childhood hubs.
Posted inMichigan Government, Talent & Education
Michigan schools sweat as deadline looms without state budget: It’s ‘super frustrating’
Michigan House, Senate cancel session with just days before legal deadline to pass state budget. ‘We were hopeful,’ said a spokesperson for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan must focus literacy efforts on older students, too, experts say
Many raise concerns with Michigan’s reading scores. Elementary school kids are often the focus. But what about older students who still struggle to read?