An independent voice.
Working & winning for Michigan families.
Dear Michiganders,
As the first person in my family to go to college, I understand the importance of a quality, affordable, education for all.
A University of Michigan education transforms lives - and so I've dedicated myself to doing everything I can to hold the line on tuition, support scholarships, and provide pathways to entry for Michigan's young people, first.
With your support, I’ll continue working and winning for Michigan families.
Please look to the end of the ballot, and vote ILITCH for University of Michigan Regent.
Kindly,
University of Michigan Regent
Meet Denise.
Denise Ilitch is a devoted community servant and tireless advocate for families, women, and children. For decades she’s dedicated herself to creating opportunity for all as a Detroit-based business, education, and philanthropic leader. She’s currently seeking re-election to the University of Michigan Board of Regents.
The first in her family to go to college, Denise understands that a University of Michigan education can transform lives. That’s why she works every day to ensure a quality, and affordable University of Michigan education is accessible to Michigan’s students, first. Denise helped start her family's business, flipping pizzas as a young girl at the very first Little Caesar’s on Cherry Hill and Venoy in Garden City.
Denise also worked her way up - serving as president of Ilitch Holdings from 2000 to 2004, managing Little Caesar Enterprises, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Tigers, Olympia Entertainment, and Olympia Development. There, she led the development of a $600 million side-by-side stadium project including Comerica Park and Ford Field. She gained expertise in economic development, asset management, operations, sports, gaming, hospitality, food service, and retail. Her diverse business experience brings valuable expertise to the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents.
Governor Whitmer appointed Denise to the State of Michigan Investment Board. Denise also serves on the Skillman Foundation Board, the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program, and the Advisory Board for the University of Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletics for Senior Leaders and is involved with various entrepreneurial leadership groups. Hour Detroit Magazine named her “Best Philanthropist” in 2022 and she’s earned top awards for marketing innovation and has been celebrated by Corp! Magazine and Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine in their “Top Business Women” and “Most Influential Women” features.
Denise earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and her Law Degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. A strong supporter of continuing education, she established the LEAD Scholar Program at Michigan, the Denise D. Ilitch Endowed Scholarship, the Denise Ilitch Scholarship at Walsh College to help young women earn their advanced degrees, and The University of Detroit Mercy Law School Endowed Scholarship for First-Generation Law students who are siblings.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Academic Excellence + Top Ranking School
Brings a “Leaders and Best” mindset to all her Board votes, ensuring the University and its programs continue to rank at the top in the nation for public education, and that Michigan remains a top research university.
New State-of-the-Art Facilities
Backed the construction of a myriad of new state-of-the-art academic facilities like the new College of Pharmacy, Biological Sciences Building, and the Ford Robotics Building to increase classroom space and improve academic resources. See a comprehensive list of University projects, here.
Expanding Learning Opportunities Innovative Tools & Lecture Halls
Voting for the construction of a state-of-the-art innovative Central Campus Classroom Building, adding up to 1,400 new classroom seats, building more large lecture spaces, establishing new departments, and creating new spaces for team-based learning.
A few ways Denise has been working and winning for you.
For A Quality Education
For An Affordable Education
Launching the Go Blue Guarantee
Advocated and voted for the “Go Blue Guarantee,” a free and reduced tuition program for high-achieving in-state students, in families with an income of $75,000 or less, to help make tuition for students on all three campuses more affordable.
Holding The Line on Tuition
Working to hold the line on tuition, and voting for budgets that increase financial aid programs while keeping tuition levels lower.
Making Michigan More Affordable for All — Pell Grants
Advocating to expand student access to Pell Grants and other needs-based grants. The number of Pell Grant recipients has increased in the past decade by 27.9%.
The “Victors for Michigan” Capital Campaign
Part of the leadership team for the Victors for Michigan capital campaign which raised $5.28 billion in funding scholarship programs like the Go Blue Guarantee and Wolverine Pathways program, research studies, student housing, athletic facilities, and the Michigan Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center.
For An Accessible Education
Commitment to Diversity and Belonging
Advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts to recruit, enroll, and sustain a diverse student population.
Increasing the Number of Scholarships
Collaborating with the U of M Alumni Association to fund scholarships like the LEAD Scholars Program and the Denise D. Ilitch Endowed Scholarship to make tuition more affordable for students across the State of Michigan.
Community Investment & Quality Jobs
Driving Increased Community Investment & Jobs
Approved billions of dollars in capital projects that generated over $13 billion in revenue and thousands of union construction jobs, community benefits, and opportunities for students. Projects include a broad array of initiatives, such as a new residential quad, classrooms and laboratories, enhanced athletic facilities for lacrosse, track, and field, and soccer, and top-flight medical facilities, to name just a few.
Strengthening the University Hospital System & Statewide Expansion
Greenlighting the construction of the new D. Dan & Betty Kahn Health Care Pavilion and C.S. Mott Children’s and Women’s Hospital replacement, and strongly advocating for the Michigan Medicine program through strategic partnerships and expansion efforts, to continue the delivery of excellent healthcare to over 119,000 Michiganders who rely on Michigan Medicine.
Empowering Workers
Partnering with University unions, workers, and nurses in their right to organize and advocate for fair compensation and safe, collaborative working conditions. Backed better employee compensation and increased medical benefits. Supported raising the minimum wage for all full-time U of M workers to $15 an hour and above, impacting over 35,000 employees.
Quality of Campus Life
Committed to Student Safety
Played a leadership role in calling for an updated sexual misconduct policy to build trust and safety among students, faculty, and community and advocated for the creation of the Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Department.
Protecting Climate and the Environment
Committed to the University becoming a national leader in this area, with one of the strongest University carbon neutrality plans in the country to benefit our health and environment.
Creating a World-Class Athletic Program and Sports Facilities
Providing unique expertise in developing athletic policy and investments that impact the culture and operations of the University’s world-class athletic program to ensure Michigan athletes train and compete in world-class facilities.
INITIATIVES & PRIORITIES
01
Investing in the University and Michigan’s Communities
Harnessing the annual $13.4 billion University budget to spur educational excellence and economic impact in Michigan’s local communities. Ensuring University budgets are streamlined and efficient, putting resources into the classroom and onto the playing field.
02
Expanding Affordable Educational Opportunities For All
Continuing to make the University of Michigan more accessible by utilizing $290.7 million in the General Fund to expand access to the Go Blue Guarantee, LEAD Scholars Program, Wolverine Pathways Program, and other scholarships.
03
Championing Negotiations & an Excellent Workplace
Engaging with the Administration, employees, and unions to encourage collaboration for a
thriving workplace.
04
Fortifying Mental Health & Wellness for Students
Investing in proven mental health and wellness programs on all campuses by providing professional and counseling services for walk-in, phone, and telehealth sessions.
05
Improving Campus Safety
Supporting the implementation of the Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Department to ensure students, faculty, and staff are safe on every University of Michigan campus.
06
Expanding Athletic Excellence and Opportunity for All
Advocating for better dining facilities with healthy menus and state-of-the-art practice facilities. Advancing increased recognition and investment in women's athletics.
ENDORSEMENTS
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Attorney General Dana Nessel
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
Speaker of the Michigan House Joe Tate
Oakland County Executive David Coulter
MDP Congressional District 3 Chair Gary Stark
MDP Congressional District 8 Chair Art Reyes
MDP Congressional District 10 Chair Joel Rutherford
MDP Congressional District 13 Chair Jonathan Kinloch
We will be sharing additional endorsements over the weeks and months ahead.
COLLABORATIONS
Working with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Computer Science & Engineering ‘05,
to recruit in-state students for admission.
MEDIA
Denise Ilitch For U of M Regent
"Working"
