‘Mad Men’ writer among Hollywood heavy hitters helping University of Michigan program grow

President Joe Biden signed a historic executive order called Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, which will direct federal agencies to focus on confronting longstanding environmental injustices, furthering the administration’s commitment to environmental justice. Kyle Whyte, the George Willis Pack Professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS), a U.S. Science Envoy, and a member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, served as an advisor on the development of the new environmental justice executive order and stood behind Biden in the Rose Garden at the signing.

UM’s Board of Regents approved naming the school the Marsal Family School of Education during its meeting Thursday, Feb. 16, in recognition of a new $50-million gift that will support initiatives to prepare and support a diverse population of teachers, build partnerships with schools and communities and conduct research in collaboration with education professionals.

University of Michigan environmental justice expert Kyle Whyte is one of seven distinguished scientists in the country named U.S. Science Envoys by the U.S. Department of State. Through the Science Envoy Program, eminent U.S. scientists and engineers travel to foreign countries as private citizens, leveraging their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation.