Difference Makers
UM-Dearborn Difference Makers are at the forefront of their fields. They’re improving the lives of others and making an impact on campus and in our local communities.
Health is at the core of everything Sam Ehlert does.
“Whether it was breaking ground at an urban farm, educating others about mental health and stigma with NAMI, or advocating for legislative change for the LGBTQIA community, the commonality is health.”
Sam completed an internship with Affirmations and worked tirelessly to help pass and revise non-discrimination ordinances that would protect LGBTQ residents.
“The work that I did not only taught me valuable leadership skills— it made me feel more connected to my community and assured me that the work that I do has a real, tangible impact.”
It should come as no surprise that on campus, Sam also excels. Holding a cumulative GPA of 3.84, Sam has received numerous scholarships including the UM-Dearborn Honors Scholarship, General Merit Scholarship, Stokes-Hoffman Scholarship, Maize & Blue Scholarship, Shirley Dudek Demmer memorial Scholarship, CASL Faculty Emeriti Scholarship, Michigan Competitive Scholarship, and the Eamonn P. Long Scholarship in addition to nine campus writing awards spanning three different genres.
“Sam is a gifted author of numerous poetry, fiction and non-fiction pieces in Lyceum,” said Suzanne Bergeron, professor of women’s studies and social sciences. “Sam is also passionate about helping others find their voice in writing and serves as a dedicated and much beloved tutor in the Writing Center.”
This is just the beginning of Sam’s activism and passion for writing, though, having been accepted into the Creative Writing graduate program at Mills College in California.
“I hope to pursue graduate studies in creative writing and uncover ways to use creative writing as a catalyst for political, social and cultural transformation.”
