About
The University of Michigan’s Access & Opportunity units and initiatives open doors and create pathways so every student can pursue and attend college with confidence. We prepare students for higher education, connect them with support as college students, and help them thrive and lead, wherever their journey takes them.
Our Core Work
Access & Opportunity (A&O) is both a hub of expertise and a network of impact. It unites three core units — the Center for Educational Outreach (CEO), the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI), and Wolverine Pathways (WP) — as well as a set of cross-campus initiatives and partnerships that strengthen belonging, inclusivity, and student success across the university.
Together, these units form a continuum of access and success that begins for those in grades K–12, and extends through college and into faculty development and institutional capacity building.
SupportConnect with Us
What We Do
We create and sustain pathways to higher education through outreach to K–16 learners, campus and community partnerships, and programs that lower barriers for students and families across Michigan.
We help students prepare for college by offering academic enrichment, coaching, informational resources, and guidance on admissions and financial aid so they feel motivated, confident, and equipped before they apply.
We ease the move to university life with mentoring, advising, coaching, and programs that help students find their place throughout their U-M journey.
We support students throughout their academic journeys by connecting them to essential resources and networks that foster resilience, belonging, well-being, and achievement.
We uplift students’ cultural, spiritual, and interfaith engagement, while supporting the disability community and honoring traditions of achievement and belonging across campus.
We serve as a vital connector within the U-M ecosystem, coordinating efforts, building capacity, and facilitating partnerships across campus. By providing expertise, forging strategic connections, and sharing resources, we empower faculty, staff, and students to enhance their work and contribute to a stronger, more collaborative institution.
FAQs
K–12 outreach and college readiness through undergraduate and graduate success, faculty development, and institutional capacity building. While the position focuses primarily on student access and opportunity, the VPAO also advances opportunities for faculty and staff and strengthens the institutional culture that enables all members of the university community to thrive.
Angela Dillard is the Interim Vice Provost for Access & Opportunity and the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. She is the Richard A. Meisler Collegiate Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies and History in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.