Amir Makled, a candidate for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, engaged with students in a roundtable discussion hosted by the College Democrats on March 12, 2025. The event, held at the Ford School of Public Policy, focused on key issues such as accessibility, affordability, and the importance of academic freedom across the university’s campuses.
During the discussion, Makled expressed concerns about the current Board of Regents and outlined his vision for enhancing student representation and engagement. LSA junior and College Democrats co-president, Stella Camerlengo, emphasized the significance of this dialogue, stating, “It is very important for students to directly talk to folks who are running for UMich regent, because they’re the ones that essentially control everything.”
Makled, an alumnus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a civil rights attorney with over fifteen years of experience, shared his commitment to advocating for student rights. His involvement with the National Lawyer’s Guild, an organization that provides legal support for activists, reflects this dedication. In April 2025, he garnered attention after being detained by federal immigration agents, an incident he linked to his legal representation of a protester involved in the Gaza solidarity encampment.
“Students were being charged criminally,” Makled stated, highlighting his motivation to run for office. “We have to support students, and we have to have the right to speak out, because that’s at the core of what we do when we’re going through the process of higher education.”
Makled’s remarks resonated with several attendees who voiced their frustrations about the current board’s lack of communication with students. He noted, “How shameful that a regent doesn’t come and speak to the core of what their service is — the students.” His pledge to engage with student perspectives throughout his campaign and potential tenure as Regent aims to foster a more inclusive environment.
Addressing the need for increased visibility and support for the U-M Flint and U-M Dearborn campuses, Makled proposed hosting meetings at these locations and enhancing financial resources for students. He pointed out that these campuses receive significantly less funding compared to Ann Arbor, stating, “They’re receiving about 15 to 20% less in terms of their wages compared to what the same type of faculty member is getting on campus over here.”
Makled also announced plans to establish a constituent panel through Michigan Medicine to improve accessibility and accountability for hospital staff and community members. “Within the first 90 days of my election, I would want to have a panel — a constituent panel, an accountability panel — where people can come to me and say ‘These are the issues that we’re facing,’” he said.
The discussion also touched on the rising costs of attending university. Makled asserted that affordability should be a priority for the board. “It shouldn’t cost $60,000 a year to go to college. You shouldn’t have $500,000 in debt by the time you graduate,” he emphasized. “Public universities should be an extension of what we had in our high school system, a very decent Michigan Education.”
LSA senior Sean Shelbrock, a Central Student Government representative, inquired about Makled’s stance on the Divest for Humanity Act, a resolution passed by CSG but vetoed by the CSG President. Makled expressed his support for ethical investment, stating, “We should have ethical investments, and it should be a reflection of what the values of this campus and the state of Michigan want to have.”
After the event, LSA freshman Claire Hakimian remarked on Makled’s approachability and willingness to engage with student concerns. “I’m really glad he was willing to sit down and talk to students, because that’s who the regents board is supposed to represent,” she said.
Makled is currently seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the Board of Regents, competing against incumbents Jordan Acker and Paul Brown, who are also up for reelection. The Michigan Democratic Party is set to announce its endorsements at a nomination convention on April 19, 2025.
As the campaign progresses, Makled’s emphasis on accessibility, accountability, and affordability may resonate strongly with the student body, shaping the dialogue around the future of the University of Michigan.
