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.

I have championed initiatives to make students safer and lessen the burden of tuition costs on families, and there’s still more to be done.

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

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About

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.

Denise helped start her family's business, flipping pizzas as a young girl at the very first Little Caesars on Cherry Hill and Venoy in Garden City. She worked her way up - gaining 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.

Denise has served in the following positions in addition to her work as a business owner and Regent:

State of Michigan Investment Board member, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Skillman Foundation trustee and chair of the Skillman External Relations & Partnerships Committee.
Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program Advisory Board member.
University of Pennsylvania Collegiate Athletics for Senior Leaders Advisory Board Member.
Detroit NAACP past board member.
Detroit Red Wings former Alternate Governor for the National Hockey League.
Detroit Tigers Alternate Governor for the MLB.

Denise has received the following awards recognizing her philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and steadfast advocacy and support for women, children, and families.

Hour Detroit Magazine, “Best Philanthropist” (2022)
Corp! Magazine, “Top Business Women”
Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine, “Most Influential Women”
B’nai B’rith International, Great American Traditions Award
American Red Cross, Clara Barton Award
University of Detroit Mercy Law School, Alumnus of the Year (2007)
Families Against Narcotics, Women Honoring Women Gala Honoree (2021)
University of Michigan Alumnae Council Alumni Association, Athena Award (2023)

Denise has supported the following scholarships:

LEAD Scholar Program at the University of Michigan
Denise D. Ilitch Endowed Scholarship at the University of Michigan
Denise Ilitch Scholarship at Walsh College
Denise Ilitch and Carole Ilitch Endowed Scholarship for First-Generation Law Students Who are Siblings at Detroit Mercy Law
Go Blue Guarantee free and reduced tuition for in-state undergraduate students at University of Michigan
Expanding Pell Grants at the University of Michigan

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Academic Excellence + Top Ranking School

Brings a “Leaders and Best” and business 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

Creating Pathways to Enrollment for Diverse Populations

Advocating for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts to recruit, enroll, and sustain a diverse student population. Doubling down on the Wolverine Pathways program to amplify its contributions to undergraduate diversity, according to the University’s DEI 2.0 plan.

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.

Commitment to Diversity and Belonging

Investing in initiatives like the Trotter Multicultural Center, Support for Incoming Black Students (SIBS), and the Summer Bridge Scholars Program (SBSP) that increase a sense of community and belonging on campus and close opportunity gaps.

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

Honoring Freedom of Speech & Encouraging Respect

Listening to input from the University community regarding a policy to protect free speech, encourage diversity of thought, and support constructive engagement and discussion among students, faculty, and staff.

Combating Sexual Misconduct & Building Trust

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.

Committed to Student Safety

Ensuring that Title VI protections will be enforced for all students, particularly Jewish and Muslim students. All U of M students have the right to feel safe and unthreatened, and there is no room for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or any other xenophobic rhetoric in their campus community.

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

Initiatives

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.

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.

Championing Negotiations & an Excellent Workplace

Engaging with the Administration, employees, and unions to encourage collaboration for a

thriving workplace.

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.

Improving Campus Safety

Championing new policies like Supporting the implementation of the Ethics, Integrity, and Compliance Department to combat misconduct and ensure students, faculty, and staff are safe on every University of Michigan campus.

Expanding Athletic Excellence and Opportunity for All

Advancing increased recognition and investment in women's athletics including advocating for varsity women’s hockey at U-M. Advocating for better dining facilities with healthy menus and state-of-the-art practice facilities.

Promoting Civil Leadership and Respectful Discussions

Advocating for a required course on civil leadership so all students learn how to have civil conversations about the most difficult issues. Mandating a course that trains Michigan’s leaders and best to approach civil leadership centered around the values of discourse, dignity, and respect will create a more welcoming, safe, and productive campus community.