About Us

Welcome to University of Michigan's Center for Russian and East European Studies (CREES)!

CREES, a constituent unit of the International Institute, is one of the nation's leading institutes for interdisciplinary research and training on Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Eurasia. First designated as a Slavic Language and Area Center in 1959, CREES is currently one of 20 U.S. Department of Education-supported National Resource Centers for this broad world area. Regional strengths include Russia, Central Europe (especially Poland and the Czech and Slovak Republics), Southeastern Europe (notably former Yugoslavia), the Caucasus (particularly Armenia), and Central Asia.

The Center:

has over 70 outstanding affiliated faculty area specialists and visiting scholars who offer more than 150 courses each year on the business, cultures, demography, economics, history, languages, law, literatures, politics, public policy, and social organization of the region as well as study abroad programs in Poland and St. Petersburg, Russia
offers an interdisciplinary undergraduate concentration; undergraduate minors; master's degree; concurrent bachelor's/master's degrees; graduate certificate; and graduate-level dual degree programs with professional schools in business, law, and public policy
administers a range of student funding opportunities, including Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships, conference travel awards, and grants to support research and internships in the region
organizes over 50 public events each year such as lectures, conferences, films, and mini-courses, many in collaboration with other U-M units
supports ongoing development of the University's library collections which contain over 780,000 items on the region
serves as a local, state, regional, and national resource for expertise on Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, and Eurasia, providing instructional and informational services to the community, schools and colleges, media, government, and businesses

Michael D. Kennedy, Director