Mayors' Institute on City Design
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Alumni Assistance and Advising

Matching alumni mayors with design experts for in-depth follow-up.

Overview

MICD Alumni Assistance and Advising programs help alumni mayors continue addressing the complex challenges facing today’s cities, beyond the traditional MICD Institute Session model.

Details

In 2023, MICD will match recent alumni mayors with a pair of nationally renowned design experts to advise the mayor on their selected city design challenge.

During this pilot program, two design experts (the “Resource Team”) will consult with each mayor and a small team of their city staff on their MICD project, with a strong focus on immediate next-step recommendations and implementation strategies. MICD provides the Resource Team with a modest honorarium for their time.

Time Commitment

The expected time commitment for mayors is minimal: with their staff, mayors will hone in on a key question or issue that would most benefit from follow-up assistance. Once the Resource Team selection is made by MICD, the mayor and their staff will participate in two 60-minute virtual meetings to explore solutions and next steps.

Eligibility

2023 MICD alumni mayors are eligible for the current pilot round. Some rounds may be geared toward alumni of specific programs, such as the MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship, while some engagements begin with an open call for interest. Stay tuned to our email list for future opportunities to participate.

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Upcoming Events

Alumni Advising for 2023 MICD Participants

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Past Events

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How It Works

  • 01 —

    Attend MICD programs.

    Attend an Institute Session or other MICD program.

  • 02 —

    Identify a Challenge

    Select a key question or issue from your MICD project that would benefit from follow-up assistance.

  • 03 —

    Meet the Team

    Meet your Resource Team, introduce your key staff, and present an overview of your project.

  • 04 —

    Refine Your Project

    Collaborate with the Resource Team on initial recommendations and provide further context.

  • 05 —

    Final Meeting

    The Resource Team makes final recommendations for your project.

  • 06 —

    Stay in Touch

    Stay tuned for more MICD alumni opportunities.

FAQs

What is the cost of this program?

There is no cost to participating mayors or cities. Resource Team members receive a modest honorarium for their participation from MICD.

What does the alumni advising experience look like?

MICD alumni assistance and advising programs offer targeted follow-up assistance for alumni of MICD sessions or other MICD programs. In the 2023 pilot program, each mayor is matched with two design leaders with expertise relevant to their selected project. The group works closely together, along with key members of the mayor’s staff, over a series of two virtual meetings. This creates an informal, candid environment for sharing ideas and recommendations to move the selected project forward.

How are alumni programs different from typical MICD sessions?

Typical MICD Institute Sessions are 2.5-day intensive technical assistance workshops where mayors engage leading design and development experts to find solutions to the most critical planning and design challenges facing their cities, through the exploration of specific projects.

MICD alumni advising builds on a mayor’s experience at other MICD programs to offer in-depth follow-up assistance. With a dedicated team of two design leaders, the group dives into engagement strategies, funding ideas, or other key questions identified by the mayor. This format allows for a greater level of detail of follow-up recommendations and a greater understanding of the design process.

How can I express interest?

We also encourage you to fill out our general interest form or contact MICD staff directly to discuss alumni programs in more detail.

Please note that participation is extremely limited and may be geared towards alumni of specific MICD programs.

Can I bring staff?

Each mayor is invited to include 2 key staff members for the duration of the engagement.

Can I request specific Resource Team members?

We aim to match you with two Resource Team alumni whose expertise is particularly well-suited for your project. You are welcome to request specific types of expertise and/or specific Resource Team members you’ve worked with in the past, though matches cannot be guaranteed.

What types of projects are eligible?

The 2023 pilot is focused on follow-up assistance for projects brought to other MICD programs. Projects still in the early planning stages are often best suited for this type of assistance. Specific project selection guidance will be included for each cohort.

How can I get involved as a design leader?

Past MICD Resource Team alumni are eligible to serve in alumni assistance and advising programs. While these programs are by invitation only, we encourage you to contact us with interest or sign up for our email list to learn about upcoming opportunities.

For design leaders who have not previously served as MICD Resource Team members, click here to learn more about getting involved in MICD.

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