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Jain Industry Partnerships Program

The University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design is an internationally recognized leader in interdisciplinary art and design education. Grounded in research, practice, creative excellence, and community engagement, our programs prepare the next generation of creative professionals to address the challenges of our time. The Stamps School offers a unique interdisciplinary curriculum of self-directed study and is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

The Stamps School is committed to building strategic partnerships with organizations, industry leaders, and U‑M Alumni who align corporate social responsibility and meaningful connections with the Stamps’ curricular mission. We seek to build collaborations that advance a spirit of shared learning where Stamps students gain hands-on experiences that allow them to chart their unique career pathways. Similarly, employers will gain valuable insights from a generation that will challenge them to think critically about their organization and praxis.

The Jain Industry Partnerships Program (JIPP) is a semester-long (January-April) initiative that draws on the strengths of corporate industry partners, and Stamps alumni with 3+ years of experience in the corporate world. These key players are paired up with Stamps students to engage in impactful learning, networking, and mentorship opportunities, contributing to thriving and sustainable creative practices. By participating, the key players will:

  • Support their respective organizations’ social responsibility goals.

  • Engage students directly in industry-specific and culturally important conversations for the mutual exchange of knowledge and diverse perspectives.

  • Gain mentorship skills and offer valuable insights into the professional world; an opportunity to provide insider guidance to your industry and professional trajectory.

  • Inspire, invest in, and mentor Stamps students and the future generation of creatives.

  • Gain exposure to unique and innovative insights and perspectives offered by students.

Commitments and Responsibilities

Industry partners and Stamps alumni mentors have minor commitments, between January and April, by participating in the program. The commitments are as follows: 

Industry Partner Commitments
  • Designate a primary contact person from the organization to act as the Main Liaison.

  • Facilitate one on-campus workshop for the JIPP students.

  • Each organization commits to supporting 3 to 5 Stamps students as part of a mentorship component.
    • Mentors are to attend a one-hour virtual mentorship info session to be scheduled before January.

    • Mentors are to hold 1:1 monthly virtual or in-person one-hour mentorship sessions per student.

Alumni Mentor Commitments
  • Take up between 1 and 2 Stamps students to mentor.

  • Attend a one-hour virtual mentorship info session that will be scheduled between October and November.

  • Hold 1:1 monthly virtual or in-person one-hour mentorship sessions per student.

Currently, the program is limited to Stamps alumni who have 3+ years of experience in corporate industries. Stamps Alumni who are interested in mentoring Stamps students as part of the Jain Industry Partnerships program can fill out this intake form before July 4. For any questions, please email Stamps-​JIP@​umich.​edu.

Mentor Resources

Companies that participate in the Jain Industry Partnerships program provide mentorship from professionals within their organizations. Below are a few mentor resources:

    2024 – 25 Industry Partners

    Airspace

    Airspace

    Airspace is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary graphic experience design firm founded in 2015. Airspace is an independent firm with a client base that includes corporate, educational, cultural, healthcare and civic clients along with developers, architecture and interior design firms. We bring to the table diverse backgrounds including graphic design, industrial design and interactive design.

    Atomic object

    Atomic Object

    Atomic Object helps companies innovate and grow by creating custom software that’s beautiful, reliable, and easy to use. We develop products that cross-web, mobile, desktop, and custom devices. Predictable projects; uncommonly good software. With offices in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Chicago, we serve a national base of clients across many industries. Employee-owned; since 2001.

    Bombas logo

    Bombas

    Bombas is a comfort focused apparel brand with a mission to help those in need. We make the things that you live in, the things you move in, the elevated versions of the things you wear closest to your body every day. Socks, underwear and tees, but with premium materials and a big focus on fit for real bodies. Our mission since day one has been to help those experiencing homelessness. That’s why for every item purchased, we donate one to those in need. We’ve donated more than 100 million items to more than 3,500 community organizations to date.

    Design core detroit

    Design Core Detroit

    As Detroit’s leading hyperlocal business platform for creatives and the steward of our international UNESCO City of Design designation, Design Core Detroit is a champion of design’s role in public service. We will unpack the potential of relationships across for-profit, nonprofit and public sector organizations with lessons-learned on local and international topics. Learn how to navigate the wide range of career paths for designers and develop powerful networks.

    Flow

    Flow Video

    Flow Video is built on a simple idea: that a great story connects audiences to higher meaning. The story of every organization centers on its people, the work they do, and why it makes the world a better place. We think video is the ideal format for sharing these stories.

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    Sony Pictures Television

    Sony Pictures Television is part of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE). SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution, operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in more than 130 countries.

    YouTube Logo

    YouTube

    Our mission is to give everyone a voice and show them the world. We believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share and build community through our stories.

    2023 – 24 Industry Partners