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, the Stamps School offers a unique 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, industry partners and alumni will gain valuable insights from a generation that will challenge them to think critically about their organization and practice.

The Jain Industry Partnerships (JIP) program is an initiative that draws on the strengths of corporate industry partners and alumni possessing 3+ years of corporate experience to mentor primarily first and second year students. 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, 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 alumni mentors have minor commitments while participating in the program. The commitments are as follows:

Industry Partner Commitments and Responsibilities

By joining the Stamps School’s Jain Industry Partnerships program, industry partner organizations commit to the following:

Designate a Main Liaison contact person from the organization.
Workshops — January to April
- Facilitate one in-person workshop in Ann Arbor, MI, for the JIP student cohort.
Mentorship — October to April
- Each industry partner commits to mentor 3 to 5 Stamps students to satisfy the program’s mentorship component.
- U‑M and Stamps alumni, with 3+ years of corporate experience, can also sign up as mentors for this program.
- Selected Mentors should attend a one-hour virtual recorded mentorship info session for onboarding and networking purposes.

Currently, the program is limited to U‑M and Stamps alumni with 3+ years of corporate experience. Stamps Alumni who are interested in mentoring Stamps students as part of the Jain Industry Partnerships program can fill out this intake form before August 17, 2026. For any questions, please email Stamps-JIP@umich.edu.

2026 – 27 Industry Partners

Adidas

Adidas is inspired by our heritage; we push the boundaries of culture and human performance. Through sport, we have the power to change lives. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Germany, we employ more than 59,200 people across the globe.

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.

Carhartt

Carhartt is an apparel company and clothing manufacturer. We were founded in 1889 in Detroit by Hamilton Carhartt. We have been outfitting hardworking people with durable products to serve and protect them for over 137 years. We are still located in the Detroit area and continue to be a private, family-run business.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at Little Caesars Arena, located in Midtown Detroit.

hims & hers

Hims & Hers Health, Inc. is a publicly traded, direct-to-consumer telehealth company headquartered in San Francisco, offering personalized healthcare and wellness services through a digital platform. Founded in 2017, the company provides access to licensed medical professionals and delivers treatments for sexual health, hair loss, mental health, skincare, and, most recently, weight loss—largely via a subscription model.

Joele Frank

Joele Frank is the leading strategic communications firm that advises companies, boards, and investors during high-stakes situations. Founded in 2000, the firm counsels many of the world’s largest public companies on complex transactions and reputation-critical events, helping clients communicate effectively with shareholders, employees, regulators, the media, and other stakeholders. The firm is recognized for its deep expertise at the intersection of finance, strategy, and communications.

Modellus Novus

Modellus Novus is an architecture firm creating spaces that shape and define culture. Our New York City-based team is led by individuals united not only by our diverse backgrounds and perspectives but by an optimistic commitment to designing spaces for the many. MN seeks to redefine access to exceptional design. From the most public cultural institutions to private homes, our work prioritizes the experience of all users of a space. These excellent experiences are driven by precise, pragmatic, and daring decisions — regardless of project size or type.

YouTube

YouTube is a team-oriented, creative workplace where every single employee has a voice in the choices we make and the features we implement. We work together in small teams to design, develop, and roll out key features and products in very short time frames. Which means something you write today could be seen by millions of viewers tomorrow. And even though we’re a part of Google and enjoy all of the corporate perks, it still feels like you’re working at a startup.