As a small business owner, if you’ve ever wanted to get involved in a DNEP class or wondered how Detroit entrepreneurs work with students in University of Michigan classes, look no further!
Just in time for course registration, University of Michigan faculty have filmed videos that give an overview of each DNEP class offered in the Winter 2024 semester (January - April 2024). While these videos were originally filmed from a student perspective on what they can expect in a DNEP class, they’re also a great way to learn more about the different types of classes DNEP offers, what types of students you’ll work with and the nature of those interactions, and what types of deliverables you might walk away with as a business owner.
If you’re a University of Michigan student interested in entrepreneurship, law, or working with Detroit small businesses, be sure to check out the videos below when registering for Winter 2024 classes! Learn more about the courses DNEP is partnered with by visiting our Classes page.
BA 453: Capstone MAP taught by Chris Mueller
Class Summary: In this course, undergraduate business students in their senior year work with small businesses to tackle complex business problems. Businesses receive data driven recommendations from a diverse team of students to address critical business needs, guided by Ross School of Business faculty.
Community Enterprise Clinic taught by Susan Chase
Class Summary: Under the supervision of Michigan attorneys/faculty, Michigan Law students in their second or third year conduct legal research and provide legal advice for transactional issues that entrepreneurs and nonprofits encounter. Unlike other DNEP classes, law students act as pro bono legal counsel.
MKT 313: Consumer Behavior taught by Amy Angell
Class Summary: Business owner clients work with TWO teams of marketing students from the Ross School of Business & the College of Literature, Science & the Arts (LSA). Students conduct market research to help clients understand who their customers are, then propose marketing strategies based on that research, and develop marketing materials that clients can use to implement the strategies. Business owners work with these 2 teams simultaneously and get 2 different perspectives on marketing strategies and double the final deliverables.
MKT 407: Designing Persuasive Communication taught by Amy Angell
Class Summary: Business owner clients work with a team of students from the Ross School of Business & the College of Literature, Science & the Arts (LSA). This class is a simulation of working with advertising agencies. Student teams compete against each other to design and present pitches for paid advertising campaigns. Each client chooses a winner from the 3-4 different pitches and keep the deliverables for the winning ad campaign and to use as they see fit.
ARTDES 444: Design Branding Studio taught by Jill Greene
Class Summary: Business owner clients work with students in the Stamps School of Art & Design to enhance their business’s brand identity and visual presence. Students emphasize unique brand stories through storytelling, language analysis, and visual branding. They’ll provide services including the (re)design of a company’s logo and other visual elements, along with integrating the visual assets into the company’s marketing and operational materials (e.g. website, social media, etc.).
ENT 403 Social Entrepreneurship taught by Marcus Harris (U-M Dearborn course)
Class Summary: For Detroit entrepreneurs looking to maximize both profit and social impact, work with a diverse team of U-M Dearborn students to create a business plan that solves the needs of the community while generating a sustainable profit. The final deliverable of the class that business owners will receive is a research and data-driven business plan that addresses the social/environmental issue the business is trying to solve.